The Future Of Construction Wellington Company Printed Farms Revolutionizing The Building Business

Story by Mike May  |  Photos by Elysian Media

Quicker to build, longer lasting, more resilient against catastrophic weather, more freedom in the design process and no more expensive to construct. These are a few of the many ways to describe the appeal of the design and construction technology now being pioneered by Wellington-based Printed Farms LLC, which uses a state-of-the-art 3D printing technique to build structures such as homes, horse barns and everything in between.

Recently, Printed Farms showcased this 3D printing technology during an open house when it unveiled its latest project, a state-of-the-art, luxury, 10,678-square-foot equestrian facility and horse barn on Hollow Tree Lane, located just off Flying Cow Road in Wellington.

Using the computerized 3D printing technique, as opposed to traditional construction methods, the horse barn’s column structures at the facility on Hollow Tree Lane were created with a 3D robotic arm.

The building that resulted is being referred to as the “world’s largest 3D printed structure,” said Jim Ritter, CEO and founder of Wellington-based Printed Farms.

According to Ritter, the increase of major catastrophic climate events, such as hurricanes and tropical storms in South Florida, will demand buildings that are stronger and more sustainable. The structures created by Printed Farms will fill that need. They are also energy efficient and lower cooling and heating costs.

Interest in this emerging technology has been extensive, and the Wellington project has garnered media attention from not just local TV stations and newspapers, but also from Business Insider magazine and MSNBC.

From the outside, the new equestrian facility on Hollow Tree Lane looks like any other structure built by a general contractor, but Ritter said that there are stark differences between what Printed Farms can do using solid concrete as opposed to what conventional builders are doing to construct a home with wood and concrete block.

“I’m on a mission. Our 3D printing will radically change the construction industry to become leaner, more efficient and sustainable,” Ritter said. “From shortening the supply chain to lessening design processes and reducing the industry’s waste output, the benefits of 3D printing will far outweigh the accustomed methods of construction that we use today.”

From a construction-cost point of view, Ritter said his business represents a winning product that will excite consumers.

“We will beat — cost-wise — concrete block in two or three years,” he said. “And there’s no need for insulation for our buildings with our technology because they are so dense.”

Ritter believes that Printed Farms is well-positioned to lead the country and possibly the world in 3D printed buildings. The demand for its services is coming from across Palm Beach County and beyond.

According to Ritter, he’s had discussions with officials from Ukraine who want to use his technology when it’s safe to rebuild once the current war is over. There has also been interest from corporate officials at Caterpillar.

Ritter noted that while his design and construction technology is an attractive proposition to any potential client, the downside right now is that he only has two 3D printers at the moment, so he’s limited on the number of projects that he can take on.

While Ritter is currently focused on the future of the building construction industry, he has also been a part of the industry’s traditional past. “I have helped build three other horse barns in Wellington using concrete blocks,” Ritter said. “But our new technology is better and is the wave of the future.”

And, of course, he sees Printed Farms as leading the way.

Now in his 60s, Ritter said that his completed projects will outlast him and generations to come. “This new horse barn will last at least 100 years,” he said.

Ritter is also committed to educating future leaders in the construction industry about this new technology.

“I am working with officials at the University of Florida on a curriculum involving robotics,” Ritter added.

To learn more about Printed Farms and this cutting-edge construction technology, e-mail info@printedfarms.com or visit www.printedfarms.com.