3D-printing could be used to construct more houses in 20 years.

Architects around the globe have actually been racing to build the world's first 3D-printed house.

In China, a company named Winsun said it built 10 3D-printed houses in one day — each costing just $5,000. A professor at USC is working on a gigantic 3D printer that can build an entire house, with electrical and plumbing conduits.

Pearson said the ability to 3D print cheaper houses will be a major asset as cities become increasingly more crowded.