[lowbloodsugar]

I feel like you’re telling ford how the Model T production line can’t work because someone wants a different color.

Yet, it’s ironic that we still end up with cookie cutter houses, but they are all built as if they are bespoke.

[brudgers]

You cannot build an airplane out of bricks.

[ben_w]

I don't understand the metaphor and how it would apply to this.

(But also, this feels like a Mythbusters episode challenge, and they managed to get a lead balloon flying).

[brudgers]

Yet successful balloon building businesses don’t build balloons from lead because of the fundamental nature of the balloon building problem.

[ben_w]

Again, I really don't understand how this metaphor fits with housing getting more or less customisation with more or less 3D printing vs. prefab vs. whatever the other option(s) is/are called at higher or lower costs.

[brudgers]

The article describes nearly 100 houses printed at 2-3 weeks per house and 25 sold. That is very poor economics for single family development. Working capital tied up, carrying costs for the land, interest on construction loans, etc. are all coming out of the developer’s pocket. [1]

There’s also the capital cost of the printer, the inherent complexity of pumping concrete, and the material cost of concreter per unit volume.

My opinion is based on my bullshit detector. I worked in a precast plant with its own concrete plant, for a very large home builder, and for and with residential developers as an architect. Sure I might be wrong, but my opinion is formed from directly related experience with the materials and with the industries.

But even on the face the article is talking about moonbases as future projects not suburban Atlanta.

[1] Most likely this project is subsidized with non-commercial resources.