welcome to the casitas

Texas antiquing mecca welcomes world’s first 3-D printed, near-zero-carbon homes

Photo courtesy of Hive 3D Builders

The future of sustainable home construction is here. Residents in the Texas antiquing and shopping destination of Round Top are getting the first look at 3-D printed homes created by HIVE 3D Builders and Eco Material Technologies, the largest producer of sustainable materials.

The 3-D printed homes are part of The Casitas at The Halles, a new collection of affordable and environmentally sustainable 400- to 900-square-foot homes in the town's most popular retail and event venue. The casitas can be configured with studio, single-bedroom, or two-bedroom floorplans.

"These small homes will serve as a model for affordable and eco-friendly housing throughout the country," said Hive 3D CEO Timothy Lankau in a press release. "We plan to build them at a speed and cost point that is unprecedented in the affordable housing space."

Every home is being constructed using Hive 3D's PozzoCEM Vite cement replacement material, which creates 92 percent less emissions than traditional cement. PozzoCEM Vite also sets in a matter of minutes, rather than the typical one to two days it takes for regular cement to set.

Additionally, Hive 3D and Eco Materials collaborated to develop a new way to mix their materials with specially-modified commercial mixing equipment, thus further reducing production costs.

Eco Materials Technologies CEO Grant Quasha said in the release that Hive 3D's goal to construct 3-D printed homes using their materials similarly aligns with his company's own goal to change the construction industry for the better, while improving overall carbon emissions.

"While we are known as the largest supplier of sustainable cement alternatives for large scale infrastructure projects, we are proud to be able to work with forward-thinking innovators like the team at Hive 3D to provide residential solutions as well," Quasha said. "These homes are cost efficient, beautiful and sustainable in many senses of the word."

More information about the casitas can be found on hive3dbuilders.com.

Photo courtesy of Hive 3D Builders

Hive 3D Builders designs and constructs homes such as this one located in Burton, Texas,

housing homes houston austin

Plastic Container News

Texas-based The Container Store latest retailer to file for bankruptcy

Container Store

The Container Store plans to remain open.

Another seemingly popular retailer has filed for bankruptcy: According to a release, the Container Store has filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, effective December 22.

The company is not closing down, says president and CEO Satish Malhotra in a statement.

“The Container Store is here to stay," Malhotra says. "Our strategy is sound, and we believe the steps we are taking today will allow us to continue to advance our business, deepen customer relationships, expand our reach, and strengthen our capabilities."

The Company has filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court that will allow it to make timely payments to vendors, suppliers, and other trade creditors in full.

The stores and website will continue to operate as normal; all customer deposits and orders will be honored and delivered as normal.

At least 90 percent of the company’s loan lenders have pledged their support. A recapitalization will provide millions in new financing as well as debt service relief. This will strengthen their balance sheet and liquidity position, so they can meet commitments to partners and vendors.

Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Coppell, the Container Store offers organizing solutions and in-home services, with more than 10,000 products to complete any space, sold at more than 100 locations nationwide and a flagship online store.

When they first debuted, they were an utter revelation with all of their various plastic containers and tubs — a market that is now also filled by cheaper knockoffs sold at a much lower price at places like Target.

“We are particularly excited about the future of our custom space offerings, which continue to demonstrate strength," Malhotra says. "We intend to maintain our strong workforce and remain committed to delivering an exceptional experience for our customers while we execute this recapitalization and for many years to come.”

The Chapter 11 process does not include the Company’s Elfa business in Sweden, which continues to operate as usual.

There is starting to be a wave of bankruptcy filings of retailers that include Big Lots, which is holding going-out-of-business sales in anticipation of a company-wide closure; and Party City, which is closing its stores at the end of February.

The Container Store has created a dedicated website for stakeholders to get information about the Chapter 11 case at www.futureforcontainerstore.com.

holidays the container store business