How Two Homes Were 3D-Printed in Record Time and Showcase Colorado’s Fireproof Future

In the heart of Colorado’s Chaffee County, where wildfires threaten nearly half the state’s population, two homes have risen as an experiment in homebuilding. The VeroVistas, two 1,100 sqft homes in Buena Vista, were built with a giant 3D printer that lays down concrete walls layer by layer. One of these homes went from blueprints to finished home in 16 days.

VeroTouch chose COBOD’s BOD2 3D printer, the same machine that has already made headlines as the engine behind the world’s largest 3D-printed structure. This printer works like a big pastry bag, pushing a cement-like mixture through a nozzle guided by a digital plan. It stacks layers upon layers to make the walls and then human builders can add wiring, windows and roofing. The end result is a home with walls rated A1 for fire resistance, which means they won’t catch fire or ignite no matter how fierce the inferno.

Speed is where the VeroVistas shine the brightest, especially since traditional building with its never-ending cycle of frame, drywall and physical labor can take months. The BOD2 printer completed the superstructure of the second VeroVistas home in just over two weeks. Human teams were still needed for the finishing touches but the printer’s ability to automate the heavy lifting reduces build times.

Each VeroVistas home is 1,100 sq ft with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths on one level. Step inside, and you’ll find spaces designed for comfort with plenty of natural light pouring in through huge windows. One home celebrates the rough, ribbed texture of 3D printed concrete with walls that proudly show the printing process’s layered look. The other is more conventional with stucco for a smoother, more classic look. This is a hidden strength of 3D printing, it can create homes that feel cutting edge or comfortable familiar depending on the buyer’s preference. Both homes have modern kitchens with stainless steel appliances and hardwood islands and bathrooms that combine design with function like glass enclosed showers.

These aren’t cheap, at $625,000 each, but they are comparable to the market rate for mountain community homes in Colorado. What you’re paying for is more than just a property, it’s a lifetime guarantee. VeroTouch says these homes will last a century, no matter the wildfires or time. The durability comes from the concrete material that doesn’t burn like wood framed homes. In an area where fire can spread at lightning speed this is a big selling point. Add to that the fact that these homes are built by local builders that keep jobs in the area and you have a project that feels practical and forward thinking.
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