A Preliminary Study of 3D Printing Home Designs for Improving Efficiency and Sustainability of Indigenous Housing in Canada

Abstract

Canada has been experiencing a significant housing crisis in recent years, especially in remote and Indigenous communities, yet most of the existing construction approaches have not been rapid, sustainable, and affordable enough to meet community needs. To address this challenge, this study explores the feasibility of 3D printed (3DP) housing and develops a design that is informed by Indigenous housing requirements and is realized through a physical design prototype tailored for the implementation of 3DP homes. Site visits and community engagement were integral parts of the research to help deliver invaluable insights that guided the design process, ensuring cultural sensitivity and inclusivity. The prototyped 3DP design offers efficient and sustainable solutions customized to the unique cultural and climatic needs of Indigenous communities in Canada. The final 3DP design seamlessly integrates traditional Indigenous architectural elements, such as a circular shape inspired by pit houses, with modern construction techniques, yielding a flexible, sustainable, and culturally pertinent home design. Future research work will be focused on how the proposed 3DP design can be adapted to enable mass customization to accommodate the diverse needs and preferences of Indigenous communities across Canada.