This applied research and development project addresses design and manufacturing challenges to low- cost 3D printed home construction with waste wood feedstock, supporting the goals of the DOE 2050…

The Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy awarded the University of Maine System five million dollars on September 1, 2026, under the Renewable Energy Research and Development program (CFDA 81.087) to develop and demonstrate affordable housing designs that can be 3D printed on large additive manufacturing equipment using waste wood feedstock and bio-based materials.

The award supports applied research and development addressing design and manufacturing challenges in low-cost 3D printed home construction with wood residuals and bioresins, directly supporting the DOE 2050 Roadmap for decarbonizing buildings. Building on the University of Maine's prior BioHome3D demonstration—a 600 square foot prototype constructed with fully recyclable bio-based materials—this project will prove new designs that leverage abundant, renewable, and locally sourced feedstock to reduce embodied lifecycle emissions and supply chain dependence. The technology addresses critical labor shortages and supply constraints driving affordable housing costs; Maine alone requires 80,000 new homes by 2030 with insufficient existing workforce to meet demand.

Work is performed in Orono, Maine, with a period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2028. The University of Maine, operating through its Research & Sponsored Program division, serves as the prime recipient. No sub-recipient information is provided in the award documentation.

This applied research and development project addresses design and manufacturing challenges to low- cost 3D printed home construction with waste wood feedstock, supporting the goals of the DOE 2050 roadmap for decarbonizing buildings. In 2022, the university of maine produced a 600 FT2 home with BIO-based materials, including wood residuals and bioresins, that can be fully recycled. Known as BIOHOME3D, the home addresses labor shortages and supply chain issues that are driving high costs and constricting the supply of affordable housing. Printing using abundant, renewable, and locally sourced and/or recyclable feedstock reduces dependence on a constrained supply chain and minimizes embodied lifecycle emissions. This research is necessary to ensure this technology can make a significant and timely impact on the demand for affordable homes both in maine and nationwide. In maine, for example, there is a need for 80,000 new homes by 2030; and the existing workforce is not available to meet this demand. This project will develop and prove new, affordable housing designs that can be 3D printed on large additive manufacturing equipment.