Nome, Alaska to Build First 3D-Printed Concrete Home in Sub-Arctic Region

Nome, Alaska to Build First 3D-Printed Concrete Home in Sub-Arctic Region

This article is part of a series discussing the current research activities of the Affordable Housing Research and Technology Division within the Office of Policy Development and Research.

Overview

The city of Nome, Alaska, is embarking on an innovative and ambitious housing project, funded by HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R), to construct the state's first 3D-printed concrete home tailored specifically for subarctic conditions. A research consortium is leading these efforts with the support of organizations including the Denali Commission, the Rasmuson Foundation, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and X-Hab 3D. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training unit and Alaska Basic Industries (ABI) are also playing a role. The initiative aims to address longstanding housing challenges facing remote communities in Alaska through advanced construction technology and locally sourced materials.

This project aligns with HUD's broader mission of supporting innovative housing solutions tailored to unique regional needs. Historically, HUD has invested in projects throughout Alaska designed to improve living conditions and address affordability concerns. Previous HUD-supported initiatives, such as housing projects in indigenous Alaskan communities and an experimental stabilized rammed-earth home, have established precedents for using creative methods to tackle challenging housing issues. The Nome 3D-printed home initiative builds upon these foundations, pushing the boundaries of conventional housing construction methods in Alaska.

Project Elements

One of the project’s primary goals is to maximize the use of local resources and minimize reliance on imported construction materials. Importing materials to remote Alaskan communities such as Nome typically involves high costs and complex logistical planning, largely because of the area’s limited infrastructure and transportation options. Consortium researchers are actively developing an advanced concrete composite specifically formulated to withstand extreme cold temperatures that uses aggregates available in the region. The use of locally sourced materials not only reduces overall costs but also boosts economic opportunities within the community.

Central to the project's innovative approach is the development and use of a specialized mobile 3D concrete printing system engineered to operate effectively under harsh weather conditions. Designed by X-Hab 3D, this mobile printer allows for onsite construction, significantly reducing the need for transportation and heavy machinery, both of which are logistical challenges in Alaska’s remote areas. This technology enables quicker construction timelines and greater flexibility, providing a practical and efficient alternative to conventional building methods.

Alaska’s severe conditions present several construction challenges, including extreme cold, permafrost, short building seasons, and limited transportation infrastructure. Traditional construction methods often struggle under these constraints, resulting in high costs and prolonged timelines. The use of 3D printing technology directly addresses these challenges, providing rapid and flexible construction capabilities suitable for remote locations with limited seasonal accessibility. By enabling faster builds and reducing logistical complexities, this approach significantly improves the viability of construction projects in extreme environments.

Considering local community traditions is an important element in this initiative. Construction timelines and practices are being adapted to accommodate local traditions and subsistence activities common in Alaskan communities. Also, the project team is working with local experts to mitigate dangers posed by earthquakes and avalanches, which are risk factors in Alaska.

The implications of successfully completing Alaska’s first subarctic, 3D-printed concrete home extend beyond Nome itself. Demonstrating the practicality and efficiency of this innovative construction method could influence housing strategies in other extreme locations globally. Communities experiencing similar climatic and logistical challenges may adopt this technology to improve housing resilience and affordability.

The city of Nome’s initiative to construct Alaska's first 3D-printed concrete home represents a significant advancement in addressing housing challenges in remote subarctic regions. By effectively combining advanced technology, local resources, and innovative practices, this HUD-supported project can potentially reshape how homes are built in extreme environments worldwide, demonstrating that innovative solutions can overcome longstanding barriers to affordable housing.