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Kirk Andersen says that in 50 years, no one will be swinging a hammer to build a home.
“I use a hammer every day, and I just feel like it’s an old, caveman tool,” said Andersen, the director of operations of SQ4D Inc., an autonomous robotic construction company.
The Patchogue-based company, founded in 2017, specializes in 3D printing.
For the uninitiated, 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is the construction of three-dimensional objects using a printer.
With this technology, you can change the material in the machine to produce a range of items, from food and toys to prosthetics.
(You can learn more about the process by watching this quick video.)
The larger the printer, the larger the project you can build.
This is where SQ4D steps in.
“You can print with any material. But some are harder to print, such as concrete [which is what SQ4D uses to build homes],” said Andersen.
The company has been at the forefront of this technology, building the nation’s first 3D printed home in 2019 — a 500-square-feet structure that took 12 hours to print.
SQ4D’s massive printer, which uses its Autonomous Robotic Construction System technology, recently spit out another historical feat — printing a 1,900 square-foot home in Calverton in under 48 hours.
The printer builds the foundation, footings and walls, while the rest of the home is built by a crew of three people.
“This was our proof of concept,” Andersen said of the Calverton model, which will be used to showcase the designs.
With the less materials and build times, it’s also more eco-friendly.
“It just makes sense,” said Andersen.
Now it’s time to sell one, he says.
This Monday, SQ4D Inc. listed the world’s first 3D printed home for sale.
The home, which hasn’t been built yet, will be 1,400 square feet, with three bedrooms, two baths and a 2.5 car detached garage.
It will be located in Riverhead hamlet and is being listed at $299,999 — a price way lower than the average newly built homes in the area.
“There’s nowhere on Long Island where you can purchase a new build for $299,999,” said listing agent Stephen King of Realty Connect USA.
This is because the company is using concrete, which can reduce costs by at least 30 percent, compared to traditional homes built with lumber.
King says his phone has been ringing off the hook since the listing went live.
“We have people calling me from all over the world asking me about this house,” said King.
The 3D-printed home will be constructed sometime in March or April, says Andersen.
You can check the listing out right here.
After this, the company hopes to continue the momentum in the new year with another new build.
But where?
“The Town of Riverhead has been very welcoming,” said Andersen. “We’d love to build there again; we’re just looking for the next best opportunity.”
SQ4D’s 3D printer, which is shipped on site for builds 
SQ4D’s HQ in Patchogue, located on West Main Street 
Kirk Andersen looking over the plans of SQ4D’s next project in Calverton
Top: The rendering of the new 3D printed home in Calverton (courtesy).
