Army Set to Open 3D-Printed Barracks
Army Set to Open 3D-Printed Barracks
Three 3D-printed barracks are set to open this summer at Fort Bliss, Texas, as part of a pilot program to improve soldiers’ quality of life while enhancing the resilience of Army installations.
“By prioritizing soldier well-being with mold-resistant materials and energy-efficient designs, these new barracks truly represent how it’s better at Bliss,” Fort Bliss Command Sgt. Maj. Dave Sweeney said in an Army news release. “The introduction of 3D-printed barracks embodies our commitment to creating a truly exceptional experience for soldiers living and working here.”
At more than 5,700 square feet, the barracks began construction as the largest 3D-printed structures in the Western Hemisphere, according to the news release. The three facilities will be used as collective training barracks, each featuring 36 bunk beds that can house up to 72 soldiers.
The 3D-printed barracks pilot program is a part of the Army’s larger efforts to support soldiers’ quality of life. The Army also has invested in family and privatized housing across 50 Army installations, refined its hiring at child development centers and increased bonuses, among other initiatives.
“This pilot embodies the Army’s dedication to innovation in meeting the evolving needs of our force,” said Sgt. Maj. Michael Perry, senior enlisted adviser to the deputy Army chief of staff for installations, G-9. “By exploring these pilots, we’re not only exploring ways to build better and faster, but we’re also exploring construction options that will ensure our soldiers thrive in sustainable living quarters.”
In addition to their energy efficiency, the material used for the barracks can weather natural disasters and extreme weather, according to ICON, a construction technology company selected for the pilot.
Quality barracks are vital to ensuring soldiers’ well-being, Perry said.
“The weather resilient and mold-resistant properties of this pilot underscore the Army’s commitment to enhancing quality of life for our soldiers,” he said. “By prioritizing pilots that offer these properties, we safeguard soldier health and well-being, creating homes for our soldiers that can withstand the test of time and environmental challenges faced across our installations.”