Mighty Buildings, a new San Francisco-based construction startup, is aiming to 3D print prefabricated housing. They’ve hit the ground running, and the company has already produced a number of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and partnered with EYRC Architects to design its new range of stylish, small homes.
By producing lightweight, stone wall, flooring, and roof panels, Mighty Buildings claims they’ve been able to cut building costs by 45 percent for comparably sized homes. Additionally, because of the company’s heavy use of automation, they estimate that their construction process is 20-to-30 percent cheaper than traditional prefabrication competitors.
Instead of using concrete like other 3D printing companies, Mighty Buildings is producing its units using a thermoset composite called Light Stone Material that cures under UV light. When used for exterior walls, the panels are covered in a fire-resistant rainscreen.
Despite launching on August 5, Mighty Buildings has already completed two prototypical ADUs in California, both designed in-house; one in San Diego and the other in San Ramon. The curved wall structures are the simplest of what the company offers, ranging from a 350-square-foot studio (cost: $115,000) up to a 2-bed, 1-bath option at 700 square feet that retails for $169,000. The company has also completed their ADU’s in Oakland and Hayward.
If your tastes run fancier, the previously mentioned EYRC-designed units are a step up. Starting at $185,000 for the 865-square-foot 2-bed, 1-bath house kit and ranging up to $285,000 for the 1,440-square-foot 3-bed, 2-bath options, EYRC has added several creative flourishes. Those include hexagonally patterned skylights, higher-end amenities, upscale kitchen options, and in the larger homes, laundry rooms.
The EYRC-designed line is already available to the public and the company estimates that the three homes in contract it has now will be completed before the end of 2020. After that the company is hoping to partner with other architects and developers in 2021, and hopefully expand into larger prefabrication factories around the world.
Top image: The 700-square-foot, 1-bed, 1-bath Mighty Duo B installed in San Diego in July 2020. (Paul Vu/Courtesy Mighty Buildings)