Branch Technology’s BranchShelter™: A New Model for 3D-Printed Transitional Housing
CHATTANOOGA, TN – January 16, 2026
Branch Technology is launching the next generation of its 3D-printed temporary housing solution, BranchShelter™. This rollout marks a significant shift in temporary housing infrastructure as the nonprofit Metropolitan Ministries leases 12 units, which will be hosted by local Chattanooga churches. Created using advanced 3D-printing technology, these structures are durable, secure, well insulated, and easy to assemble / disassemble to relocate as many times as necessary.
The initiative is made possible through a generous grant from The Maclellan Foundation and includes impact research by Dr. Lance Wescher, chair of the Economics and Community Development department at Covenant College, as well as two Covenant students.
This shelter model represents the culmination of several years of research and design following a two year pilot program with the City of Chattanooga. Branch Technology utilized direct feedback from this initial pilot to fundamentally reimagine the shelter as a high-performance, temporary, but non-disposable asset. This “Housing-as-a-Service” business model allows nonprofits to bypass the high costs and multi-year timelines associated with permanent land acquisition and traditional construction. By focusing resources on direct resident support and community integration, the partners can deploy immediate, dignified temporary housing solutions to those in need.
Innovative Infrastructure: The C-Fab® Difference
At the heart of the BranchShelter™ is the company’s patented C-Fab®(Cellular Fabrication) technology. This robotic 3D-printing process enables the creation of a lightweight structural BranchMatrix® that serves as the internal skeleton of each unit.
Unlike other large-scale 3D printing techniques that rely on heavy, layered concrete, C-Fab® creates a durable, carbon-fiber reinforced frame that is filled with high-performance insulation and finished with a resilient, weather-resistant skin. This advanced manufacturing process ensures that each unit meets stringent quality, safety, and durability standards while remaining lightweight enough for rapid transport and same-day assembly at its final destination.
A Hospitality First Model
The pilot program seeks to equip healthy communities with the physical assets they need to effectively practice crisis hospitality. Rather than creating communities of people in crisis, this pilot seeks to equip healthy communities to welcome neighbors in their time of need.
This partnership provides a dignified, transitional environment where guests can rest, focus, and work to resolve whatever caused their housing instability. This “host” model creates a flexible, non-permanent housing network that can scale according to the city’s needs without undue community impact or the permanent infrastructure and zoning requirements of long-term residency.
Looking Ahead
Additional host sites are welcome. The first set of BranchShelter™ units will be deployed with a host church in Chattanooga in the near future. This marks the official beginning of the pilot intended to serve as a blueprint for how technology, communities, and nonprofits can partner to solve temporary housing issues in real-time.
Contact Information
To Learn More or Lease a BranchShelter™: David Norman | David.Norman@branchtechnology.com | (205)-522-0650
Media Inquiries: Abby Hanners | Abby.Hanners@branchtechnology.com
