Topeka developer pitches 3D‑printed homes to Coffey County as fast, lower‑cost housing option
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Trident representatives described concrete 3D‑printing that can produce vertical components in days and target per‑square‑foot pricing of about $150–$170, seeking municipal partners and startup support; commissioners asked technical and warranty questions and expressed interest in a demo/spec house.
Chris Stimmler, co‑founder of Topeka‑based Trident, told the Coffey County Commission on Feb. 2 that his company is using large on‑site concrete 3D printers to build single‑story, accessible homes much faster than conventional methods. "We can produce the vertical components of the home once the slab is in the ground ... we can produce the vertical surfaces depending on the square footage of the home in 1 to 4 days," Stimmler said during a presentation to the board.
The company walked commissioners through how the printer operates under a tent, the on‑site batching plant and the climate controls needed to cure concrete in Kansas weather. Stimmler said the printed wall system has high compressive strength compared with standard masonry and that the firm has engineered rebar‑filled pilasters and other measures to meet structural and wind‑resistance standards. He said energy‑efficiency testing with Kansas State University indicates printed homes can be "about 60–70% more efficient to run."
Trident described a municipal partnership model in which communities host a domiciled crew and help with certain start‑up costs; the company cited a rough municipal ask of about $12,000 per housing unit to help with initial deployment. Stimmler said the capital cost to field a printer plus support equipment is on the order of $1.05 million and projected finished pricing in the range of $150–$170 per finished square foot depending on finishes.
Commissioners pressed on warranties, storm performance and building‑code compliance. Stimmler said printed walls include rebar and mortar‑filled pilasters tied to the slab and roof, described standard builder warranties and an optional extended warranty program that he said Trident could offer for an additional fee. "We have a standard Kansas builder's warranty," he said, and noted the company can offer extended coverage for an additional cost.
Stimmler said Trident already has municipal partners and deployment plans in the region; he listed upcoming activity in Parsons, Independence and Coffeyville and offered to return for a demonstration if the county prepares a slab for a spec house. "We're gonna take that printer ... print on the slab, and then it goes back to Topeka to get working," he said, adding the company sometimes defers its profit for demo/spec arrangements so municipalities are refunded their contributions.
The county’s economic development director, who invited the presentation, said she would follow up with interested local stakeholders and try to schedule community or technical sessions. The commission had no immediate vote or formal commitment on Trident’s requests; several members expressed interest in seeing a demonstration and in further technical follow up.
Trident presentation provenance: topic intro SEG 1230; topic finish SEG 2580.