Technology continues to amaze us, from AI to driverless cars. Now, Virginia is … printing houses?
Virginia Housing, the state’s housing finance agency, and Virginia Tech unveiled a robotic 3D printer last November in Virginia Beach, capable of constructing homes. The nearly 11-foot high, 4-ton Tvasta printer, designed and built in India, cuts construction time and waste while also responding to the need for affordable housing.
Tvasta printers use a disaster-resistant and eco-friendly concrete mix that cuts carbon emissions by 30–60 percent compared to traditional methods, according to Virginia Housing.
Chris Thompson, Virginia Housing’s director of strategic housing, explains that the partnership will pilot innovative approaches to 3D-print 10 affordable homes statewide by 2026, funded by a $1.1 million Community Innovation Demonstration grant.
“In response to rising construction costs and skilled labor shortages, this technology will print concrete walls and structural components, providing a cost-effective solution for homeowners while training the next generation of Virginia homebuilders,” Thompson says.
This article originally appeared in the April 2025 issue.
