Printing the Future

Throughout history, architectural innovations have fundamentally changed the way humans live. The development of aqueducts and plumbing in ancient Rome reduced the spread of disease by transporting wastewater out and clean water in, letting cities thrive. During the late 19th century, the invention of the elevator allowed American cities to grow vertically and with greater density, creating the modern metropolis. And in the early 20th century, automobiles helped cities spread horizontally, precipitating the birth of suburbs and changing the face of America.

Now Manhattan architect and contractor Adam Kushner believes large-scale 3-D printing will create the next big paradigm shift, ultimately allowing anyone, anywhere, to use natural materials to build a house. Invented by Italian designer Enrico Dini in 2005, the D-Shape 3-D printer uses computer software and an approximately 10-foot-by-15-foot, two-story machine to create complex shapes out of ingredients like sand.