By Andres Sanchez, Environmental Design Major, Mentor Maryam Hojati.
The housing market in New Mexico is facing a growing crisis, marked by rising construction costs and increasing homelessness. Over the past decade, the average cost to build a home has climbed from roughly $150,000 to $400,000, driven by inefficient material use, higher labor expenses, and escalating energy costs. This issue affects community stability and quality of life with current housing development, not keeping pace with the growth of local industries like film and technology. That’s why the need for advocating innovative, sustainable housing solutions that incorporate local materials is necessary. The return to a design philosophy that respects the land and the community, ensuring an affordable, functional, and eco-friendly model will challenge the current inflated housing standard. This communication project will design a mini home model that utilizes state-of-the-art soil printing machinery with soil sourced locally in Albuquerque. Also showcasing engineering research that goes into the finished design as a true feasible answer to this problem. With this concept we will be able to minimize water and material waste, reduce carbon emissions by 70%, utilize natural high thermal and energy efficiency properties, lower pollution, and ensure that housing is accessible so that all individuals have a place they can call home. Building on this path of custom design and land-based understanding allows us to make decisions that are grounded in place reflecting the landscape rather than the pace of the modern world that has forgotten these core principles. This approach will deepen our confidence for a stronger foundation and future decision making that allows our plans to better reflect the conditions of the terrain.With brave leaders, we see much progress towards this way of design being a proper solution for our future communities.