They seek to create a neighborhood printed in 3D 0:57
(CNN) -
A Virginia family received the keys to their new 3D-printed home in time for Christmas.
It is the first Habitat for Humanity 3D-printed house in the country, according to a Habitat statement.
Janet V. Green, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg, told CNN that she partnered with Alquist, a 3D printing company, earlier this year to begin the process.
The 110-square-meter home has three bedrooms, two full baths, and was built with concrete.
The technology allowed the house to be built in just 12 hours, saving about four weeks of construction time for a typical house.
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April Stringfield purchased the home through Habitat's Home Buyers Program.
She will move in with her 13-year-old son just in time for the New Years holidays.
"My son and I are very grateful," Stringfield said in a live broadcast on Habitat's Facebook page.
"I always wanted to own a home. It's like a dream come true."
They plan to create the largest community of 3D printed houses in the world
The concrete exterior of Habitat for Humanity's new 3D printed home.
The first 3D printed house
To buy the home, Stringfield logged hundreds of hours of teamwork, Green told CNN, which is one of the requirements for home buyers through the program.
"All Habitat affiliates in the nation and around the world sell homes to partner families that have low to moderate incomes," Green said.
"They must have and maintain good credit and be willing to partner with us."
"I'm excited to create new memories in Williamsburg and especially in a house, a home," Stringfield told CNN affiliate WTKR.
"A place that I can call home and give my son that backyard that he can play in and also for my puppy to run around the yard."
Janet V. Green, right, welcomes April Stringfield, left, into her new home.
The concrete used in the 3D construction of the house has many long-term benefits, such as the ability to retain temperature and withstand natural disasters, such as tornadoes and hurricanes.
Stringfield's home also includes a personal 3D printer that will allow him to reprint anything he might need, "everything from electrical outlets to trim to cabinet knobs," Green told CNN.
While this is Habitat for Humanity's first 3D home in the US, it certainly won't be the last.
Green told CNN that he hopes to continue partnering with and developing the technology used with printing.
"We'd love to build more with this technology, especially as it offers long-term savings for homeowners," Green said.
3D printer