This 3D-Printed Concrete & Wood Cabin Was Made By A Car-Building Robot

As time ticks onward, more and more people are realizing the importance of sustainability in manufacturing and construction. That stretches from things as small as the wallet in your pocket all the way up to large-scale projects like prefab homes. The latest project from HANNAH, called the Ashen Cabin, illustrates the latter brilliantly.

Made in conjunction with scientific support from the Cornell Robotic Construction Laboratory, this project was actually crafted using 3D-scanning and -printing technology, calling on a 3D-printer to build the concrete frame and repurposing one of GM’s former car-building robots to cut the cabin’s wood planks. What’s even more interesting is that the ash used in this structure was actually previously deemed “unusable,” as it was infested with emerald ash borers — a kind of insect whose larvae devour ash wood. The final product, still in its prototyping phase, is a living space that’s uniquely beautiful, sustainable, and — most importantly — affordable. The future of this project remains to be seen, but it certainly looks bright.

Learn More: HANNAH