150,000 Plastic Bottles Were Used to Create This 3D-Printed Tiny Home

Welcome to Prefab Profiles, an ongoing series of interviews with people transforming how we build houses. From prefab tiny houses and modular cabin kits to entire homes ready to ship, their projects represent some of the best ideas in the industry. Do you know a prefab brand that should be on our radar? Get in touch!

Ross Maguire has been a laborer on construction sites, holds a master’s in engineering, and started a few construction companies before moving from the U.K. to California in 2019. Soon after, he partnered with Gene Eidelman, a real-estate developer with a background as a construction executive, and the pair set out to find a better way to build residences. They founded Azure Printed Homes, which makes modular prefabs out of materials often treated as waste. "Each of our 3D-printed modules repurposes around 150,000 plastic bottles," Ross tells us. "These modules are approximately 200 square feet in size and can be printed in just 24 hours." Here, we ask the cofounder about the different models that Azure makes, how long it takes to fabricate them, and what's included with the purchase.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve realized to date?

We recently delivered one of our units to a remote site in Big Sur. The location offers awe-inspiring views of the rugged coastline. While we anticipated some challenges during the delivery and installation process, we were pleased to complete it within just 48 hours. This achievement is especially remarkable given the site’s isolation. Our customer is the owner of a wonderfully tranquil glamping vacation resort and shares our commitment to adopting a circular approach to creating living spaces. The sustainability aspect was a significant and appealing factor for the customer when choosing an Azure home.

What does your base model cost and what does that pricing include?

Our smallest model, the N-100, is 100 square feet and begins at $19,900. That includes all interior and exterior finishes, lighting, and power, making it ready for our customers to furnish. Each unit is prepped for a power connection, or alternatively, customers can opt to include a solar panel and battery, enabling the unit to operate independently of the electric grid. The entire manufacturing process for one unit takes only one week, and installation can be accomplished in just one day.

What qualities make your prefab stand apart from the rest?

Since our inception, we’ve observed a wide range of reasons why people are drawn to our units. Some are captivated by the unique designs and aesthetic appeal. Others are enticed by the remarkable speed and efficiency of our production process. Then there are those who simply look at the price tag and base their decision on cost alone. However, the overwhelming majority of our customers are deeply passionate about sustainability and the circular nature of our approach.

Our innovative process revolves around utilizing waste materials as a primary supply source, resulting in a system that generates no waste. Being able to create something beautiful and unique from a waste supply line is something that we are hugely proud of, especially given that our end product aims to address the housing crisis. It’s a true testament to the saying "one person’s trash is another’s treasure."