Senator King tours BioHome3D, looks to future 3D-printed neighborhood
Orono, Maine — Senator Angus King recently visited the Advanced Structures and Composites Center to tour BioHome3D with representatives from Penquis, a regional community action agency, and the Key Bank Foundation.
In November 2022, the ASCC unveiled BioHome3D, the world’s first 3D-printed house made entirely with bio-based materials. The ASCC is now collaborating with Penquis and MaineHousing to develop the nation’s first bio-based 3D-printed neighborhood. UMaine’s planned Factory of the Future will print nine bio-based homes over the course of four years. The neighborhood, which will be located in the Greater Bangor area, will provide housing for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. In addition to alleviating Maine’s affordable housing crisis, the production of 3D-printed homes has the potential to create jobs in construction, manufacturing, and local forest product industries.
The initiative is receiving $3 million in Congressionally Directed Spending, as well as a $300,000 grant from the KeyBank Foundation. Senator King joined UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy; Penquis president Kara Hay; Penquis housing development director Jason Bird; and Tony DiSotto, Sheri Quatrale, and Josh Kezer of KeyBank to celebrate the accomplishment of BioHome3D and the launch of the pilot 3D-printed neighborhood project.
To read more about Senator King’s visit and the 3D-printed neighborhood project, click here.
Contact: Katelin Moody, katelin.moody@maine.edu