See inside 2 3D-printed tiny home ADUs in LA made from recycled plastic
Brittany Chang
![See inside 2 3D-printed tiny home ADUs in LA made from recycled plastic](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-96773786%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-242456%2Fsee-inside-2-3d-printed-tiny-home-adus-in-la-made-from-recycled-plastic.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Brittany Chang/Insider
- Los Angeles-based startup Azure is using recycled plastic to 3D print backyard studios and ADUs.
- The startup will begin delivering its units this year.
Your recycled plastic water bottle and take-out container could become a 3D-printed tiny home in California.
![Your recycled plastic water bottle and take-out container could become a 3D-printed tiny home in California.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773905,width-700,height-525,imgsize-152622/your-recycled-plastic-water-bottle-and-take-out-container-could-become-a-3d-printed-tiny-home-in-california-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
Los Angeles-based startup Azure is using 3D printers to build backyard studios and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
![Los Angeles-based startup Azure is using 3D printers to build backyard studios and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773904,width-700,height-525,imgsize-111136/los-angeles-based-startup-azure-is-using-3d-printers-to-build-backyard-studios-and-accessory-dwelling-units-adus-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
But instead of constructing with a concrete mix like fellow startups Icon and Alquist …
![But instead of constructing with a concrete mix like fellow startups Icon and Alquist …](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773903,width-700,height-525,imgsize-210296/but-instead-of-constructing-with-a-concrete-mix-like-fellow-startups-icon-and-alquist-x2026.jpg)
Alquist
Source: Insider
… Azure Printed Homes is reducing, reusing, and recycling by using a printing material composed primarily of post-consumer plastic.
![… Azure Printed Homes is reducing, reusing, and recycling by using a printing material composed primarily of post-consumer plastic.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773901,width-700,height-525,imgsize-77848/x2026-azure-printed-homes-is-reducing-reusing-and-recycling-by-using-a-printing-material-composed-primarily-of-post-consumer-plastic-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
Source: Insider
"Our supply chain should never be short in our lifetime," Ross Maguire, the cofounder of Azure, told Insider in August.
!["Our supply chain should never be short in our lifetime," Ross Maguire, the cofounder of Azure, told Insider in August.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773898,width-700,height-525,imgsize-125214/quotour-supply-chain-should-never-be-short-in-our-lifetimequot-ross-maguire-the-cofounder-of-azure-told-insider-in-august-.jpg)
Plastic waste fills a dumpsite in Nairobi, Kenya, where countries in March agreed to start negotiating a global treaty on plastic pollution. James Wakibia/SOPA Images
Source: Insider
In April 2022, Azure unveiled what it calls the world's first 3D-printed "backyard studio" made with this recycled material.
![In April 2022, Azure unveiled what it calls the world](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773897,width-700,height-525,imgsize-242346/in-april-2022-azure-unveiled-what-it-calls-the-worldaposs-first-3d-printed-quotbackyard-studioquot-made-with-this-recycled-material-.jpg)
Azure Printed Homes
Source: Insider
And this year, the startup will begin delivering its preordered studios and ADUs to consumers …
![And this year, the startup will begin delivering its preordered studios and ADUs to consumers …](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773896,width-700,height-525,imgsize-119972/and-this-year-the-startup-will-begin-delivering-its-preordered-studios-and-adus-to-consumers-x2026.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
… which will include 10 rental homes throughout Los Angeles and the neighboring Orange County, California.
![… which will include 10 rental homes throughout Los Angeles and the neighboring Orange County, California.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773895,width-700,height-525,imgsize-358124/x2026-which-will-include-10-rental-homes-throughout-los-angeles-and-the-neighboring-orange-county-california-.jpg)
Azure Printed Homes
Like other 3D printing construction-tech startups, Azure says it can construct its homes more efficiently than traditional construction, specifically 70% faster and 30% cheaper.
![Like other 3D printing construction-tech startups, Azure says it can construct its homes more efficiently than traditional construction, specifically 70% faster and 30% cheaper.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773894,width-700,height-525,imgsize-165912/like-other-3d-printing-construction-tech-startups-azure-says-it-can-construct-its-homes-more-efficiently-than-traditional-construction-specifically-70-faster-and-30-cheaper-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
Source: Insider
But unlike other companies that only print the walls of their homes …
![But unlike other companies that only print the walls of their homes …](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773892,width-700,height-525,imgsize-337506/but-unlike-other-companies-that-only-print-the-walls-of-their-homes-x2026.jpg)
Icon's over 2,000-square-foot House Zero in Austin. Brittany Chang/Insider
… Azure prints the floor, ceiling, and walls. An example of the white printed floor is shown below.
![… Azure prints the floor, ceiling, and walls. An example of the white printed floor is shown below.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773891,width-700,height-525,imgsize-234102/x2026-azure-prints-the-floor-ceiling-and-walls-an-example-of-the-white-printed-floor-is-shown-below-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
This streamlines the final on-site installation process, Maguire told Insider during a tour of the company's manufacturing site in Los Angeles in November 2022.
![This streamlines the final on-site installation process, Maguire told Insider during a tour of the company](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773887,width-700,height-525,imgsize-162026/this-streamlines-the-final-on-site-installation-process-maguire-told-insider-during-a-tour-of-the-companyaposs-manufacturing-site-in-los-angeles-in-november-2022-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
So when the team finishes printing and assembling its units in-house, all that's left to do is deliver the home to its customer, forklift or crane it onto its foundation …
![So when the team finishes printing and assembling its units in-house, all that](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773885,width-700,height-525,imgsize-363170/so-when-the-team-finishes-printing-and-assembling-its-units-in-house-all-thataposs-left-to-do-is-deliver-the-home-to-its-customer-forklift-or-crane-it-onto-its-foundation-x2026.jpg)
Azure Printed Homes
… bolt it down, and plug it into the utilities.
![… bolt it down, and plug it into the utilities.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773880,width-700,height-525,imgsize-222136/x2026-bolt-it-down-and-plug-it-into-the-utilities-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
Despite the unique plastic printing material, Azure's units still have design elements reminiscent of "traditional" — as far as this new tech goes —printed homes ...
![Despite the unique plastic printing material, Azure](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773875,width-700,height-525,imgsize-152622/despite-the-unique-plastic-printing-material-azureaposs-units-still-have-design-elements-reminiscent-of-quottraditionalquot-x2014-as-far-as-this-new-tech-goes-x2014printed-homes-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
… like the layered printing pattern and curved walls shown below. Both are visual signatures of the construction-tech.
![… like the layered printing pattern and curved walls shown below. Both are visual signatures of the construction-tech.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773872,width-700,height-525,imgsize-186650/x2026-like-the-layered-printing-pattern-and-curved-walls-shown-below-both-are-visual-signatures-of-the-construction-tech-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
The two units shown below are Azure's first builds.
![The two units shown below are Azure](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773869,width-700,height-525,imgsize-242970/the-two-units-shown-below-are-azureaposs-first-builds-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
This one is its backyard studio, a 120-square-foot room starting at $26,900.
![This one is its backyard studio, a 120-square-foot room starting at $26,900.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773867,width-700,height-525,imgsize-171804/this-one-is-its-backyard-studio-a-120-square-foot-room-starting-at-26900-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
This smaller unit take around 16 hours to print.
![This smaller unit take around 16 hours to print.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773866,width-700,height-525,imgsize-77050/this-smaller-unit-take-around-16-hours-to-print-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
But inside, there's almost no indication of its unique construction method.
![But inside, there](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773865,width-700,height-525,imgsize-269896/but-inside-thereaposs-almost-no-indication-of-its-unique-construction-method-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
The interior wood-lined floor, wall, and ceiling seamlessly blend together.
![The interior wood-lined floor, wall, and ceiling seamlessly blend together.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773862,width-700,height-525,imgsize-140396/the-interior-wood-lined-floor-wall-and-ceiling-seamlessly-blend-together-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
And the smooth white walls don't have the same layered appearance as the exterior walls.
![And the smooth white walls don](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773860,width-700,height-525,imgsize-223974/and-the-smooth-white-walls-donapost-have-the-same-layered-appearance-as-the-exterior-walls-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
This unit may be small. But its uses are as endless as its owner's imagination, from a detached gym to a recording studio with some additional soundproofing …
![This unit may be small. But its uses are as endless as its owner](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773857,width-700,height-525,imgsize-114448/this-unit-may-be-small-but-its-uses-are-as-endless-as-its-owneraposs-imagination-from-a-detached-gym-to-a-recording-studio-with-some-additional-soundproofing-x2026.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
… to a home office like the one shown below in Azure’s headquarters.
![… to a home office like the one shown below in Azure’s headquarters.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773856,width-700,height-525,imgsize-386064/x2026-to-a-home-office-like-the-one-shown-below-in-azurex2019s-headquarters-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
Meanwhile, the backyard studio's larger counterpart, Azure's ADU series, operates more like a true tiny home.
![Meanwhile, the backyard studio](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773853,width-700,height-525,imgsize-185862/meanwhile-the-backyard-studioaposs-larger-counterpart-azureaposs-adu-series-operates-more-like-a-true-tiny-home-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
These units start at 180 square feet with a price tag of $43,900.
![These units start at 180 square feet with a price tag of $43,900.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773852,width-700,height-525,imgsize-189386/these-units-start-at-180-square-feet-with-a-price-tag-of-43900-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
Larger models can be built by connecting multiples of this module.
![Larger models can be built by connecting multiples of this module.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773850,width-700,height-525,imgsize-147454/larger-models-can-be-built-by-connecting-multiples-of-this-module-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
Despite its small square footage, the unit below has space for a bathroom, kitchen, and couch or sleeper sofa for those who want a true studio apartment feel.
![Despite its small square footage, the unit below has space for a bathroom, kitchen, and couch or sleeper sofa for those who want a true studio apartment feel.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773849,width-700,height-525,imgsize-189358/despite-its-small-square-footage-the-unit-below-has-space-for-a-bathroom-kitchen-and-couch-or-sleeper-sofa-for-those-who-want-a-true-studio-apartment-feel-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
This size makes it ideal for use as a backyard ADU guest home or rental property, a growing trend in the real estate market.
![This size makes it ideal for use as a backyard ADU guest home or rental property, a growing trend in the real estate market.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773848,width-700,height-525,imgsize-330608/this-size-makes-it-ideal-for-use-as-a-backyard-adu-guest-home-or-rental-property-a-growing-trend-in-the-real-estate-market-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
So unsurprisingly, this tiny home is one of Azure's most popular sizes, Maguire told Insider.
![So unsurprisingly, this tiny home is one of Azure](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773847,width-700,height-525,imgsize-146022/so-unsurprisingly-this-tiny-home-is-one-of-azureaposs-most-popular-sizes-maguire-told-insider-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
It takes over 20 hours to print an ADU of this size.
![It takes over 20 hours to print an ADU of this size.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773846,width-700,height-525,imgsize-286950/it-takes-over-20-hours-to-print-an-adu-of-this-size-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
The one in these photos isn't complete yet.
![The one in these photos isn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773845,width-700,height-525,imgsize-118082/the-one-in-these-photos-isnapost-complete-yet-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
But you can already see features like the kitchen beginning to take shape.
![But you can already see features like the kitchen beginning to take shape.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773842,width-700,height-525,imgsize-162472/but-you-can-already-see-features-like-the-kitchen-beginning-to-take-shape-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
It takes about two days to install this ADU, Eidelman said, noting that the installation process will be longer for larger modules.
![It takes about two days to install this ADU, Eidelman said, noting that the installation process will be longer for larger modules.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773839,width-700,height-525,imgsize-79992/it-takes-about-two-days-to-install-this-adu-eidelman-said-noting-that-the-installation-process-will-be-longer-for-larger-modules-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
And within the next few months, you could see one of these printed homes around California.
![And within the next few months, you could see one of these printed homes around California.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773837,width-700,height-525,imgsize-258468/and-within-the-next-few-months-you-could-see-one-of-these-printed-homes-around-california-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
Azure’s 2023 deliveries will be some of the many 3D-printed homes that are projected to go up around the US this year.
![Azure’s 2023 deliveries will be some of the many 3D-printed homes that are projected to go up around the US this year.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773836,width-700,height-525,imgsize-221052/azurex2019s-2023-deliveries-will-be-some-of-the-many-3d-printed-homes-that-are-projected-to-go-up-around-the-us-this-year-.jpg)
Brittany Chang/Insider
Alquist is working with Muscatine, Iowa, and the city's local organizations to print 10 homes in the new year.
![Alquist is working with Muscatine, Iowa, and the city](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773833,width-700,height-525,imgsize-669840/alquist-is-working-with-muscatine-iowa-and-the-cityaposs-local-organizations-to-print-10-homes-in-the-new-year-.jpg)
Alquist
Source Insider
And down south, Alquist will work with Florida startup CPH-3D (Click, Print, Home) to begin construction on a Tampa, Florida home that's been listed at almost $600,000.
![And down south, Alquist will work with Florida startup CPH-3D (Click, Print, Home) to begin construction on a Tampa, Florida home that](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-96773830,width-700,height-525,imgsize-419468/and-down-south-alquist-will-work-with-florida-startup-cph-3d-click-print-home-to-begin-construction-on-a-tampa-florida-home-thataposs-been-listed-at-almost-600000-.jpg)
CPH-3D
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