U.S. developers in California are building what they say will be the first 3D-printed zero net energy neighborhood in the United States.

Palari Group said it is building 15 eco-friendly 3D-printed homes on a two-hectare parcel of land in Rancho Mirage, an upscale community in the Coachella Valley, near Palm Springs.

The 135-square-meter, single-story homes are made from a stone composite material that is strong, fire resistant, water resistant and termite proof, said Palari Group founder and CEO Basil Starr.

The homes are made of modular panels that are printed out by their partner Mighty Buildings at a facility in Oakland and are assembled at the building site, “kind of like Lego blocks,” Starr said.

Starr said his company, which is focused on sustainable building techniques, turned to 3D-printing because it is less wasteful.

“In wood frame construction there’s a significant waste that is generated for the home that’s being built, it’s about two tons of waste that goes into landfills,” Starr said. “And with 3D-printing, it’s a revolutionary way of building that completely eliminates that unnecessary waste.”

Bathrooms, cabinets and other interior materials that can’t be 3D-printed are sustainably sourced.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes will come with a deck and a swimming pool and will have a starting price of US$595,000. Buyers will be able to add a smaller, two-bedroom, one-bathroom secondary residence on the property for another US$255,000.

All energy needs will be supplied by solar power, and owners will have the option to install other options like the Tesla Powerwall, fire pits, cabanas and outdoor showers.

The average owner-occupied home value in Rancho Mirage is US$825,738, according to the city’s website.

Mighty Buildings, he said, can print the panels for the houses at the same time they build roads, foundations and install utilities at the site.

Potential buyers have already put down US$1,000 refundable deposits to get a spot on the reservations list, Starr said. Palari Group is looking at building additional developments in Rancho Mirage and possibly other parts of California.

Rancho Mirage isn’t the only 3D-printed home project making news. In February, a company called SQ4D Inc. listed a 3D-printed house in Riverhead, New York, on Zillow with an asking price of US$299,999.

Austin-based construction technology company ICON is working with Kansas City developer 3Strands to build four 3D-printed homes in East Austin that are scheduled to be ready by June or July.(SD-Agencies)