TOPEKA (KSNT) – As housing shortages continue across the country and in Kansas, a local developer is turning to 3D-printing technology to lower home prices and speed up construction.
Trident Homes is building the first 3D-printed home in Kansas, located in Topeka’s Oakland neighborhood.
As housing prices climb, founder of Trident Homes Chris Stemler says traditional market patterns no longer apply.
“When I was growing up, I was always told, ‘if interest rates go down, housing prices go up,” Stemler said. “If interest rates go up, housing prices go down.’ That’s no longer true.”
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In Topeka last year, 70 single-family permits were pulled, with homes selling for more than $300,000.
Stemler said his company is addressing the housing crisis by offering lower per-square-foot costs. With an estimated $150-$170 per square foot, owning a home will be achievable for most people.
Stemler estimates the entire house will be complete in about 60 days, roughly three to six times faster than traditional stick-built construction. Stemler said he isn’t trying to put people out of jobs, just filling in the gap.
“We’re not trying to eliminate some trades,” Stemler said. “We’re not trying to automate everything. We’re trying to scale up labor. We’re trying to adapt to AI and other technologies.”
For homeowner Mari-Lynn Poskin, affordability and accessibility are key. Her husband uses a wheelchair, requiring 36-inch doorways and ADA accommodations.
She said modular and traditional construction required costly redesigns, but 3D-printing allowed changes through software adjustments.
“And the difference, like with modular, somebody has to design a whole new panel and have people individually make that, and on the 3D-printed house, it’s changing the program,” Poskin said.
The home replaces what was once an empty lot, contributing to infill development and expanding the city’s tax base.
“We know that infill is a really important part of, you know, addressing housing concerns,” Poskin said. “It puts it back on the tax roll, we’ll be paying, you know, property taxes, where, you know, the lot before didn’t really generate that much.”
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Poskin said she and her husband plan to open the home for community tours so others can see an ADA-compliant model in person.
Those interested in building a 3D-printed home can visit the builder’s website or see the crew at the Topeka Home Show this weekend.
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