Printing Imagination (and Homes!)

Sabeena Bubber • February 11, 2016

 

A child’s imagination is certainly something to behold. From pillow forts that double as outlying starbases, to walks in the forest that double as adventures travelling up and over the world’s tallest peaks, this gift that children possess- that of finding joy (not to mention awe and wonder) in the everyday is truly a thing of beauty. And, for a vast number of today’s children, one such imaginative outlet continues to be that of the lego brick; and why not?! These colourful shapes can turn the dullest of afternoons into an amateur engineer’s dream; vast worlds waiting to be created out of the simplest of shapes and forms.


On the other side of this creative coin (the adult side) sits the classic printer. From dot matrix, to inkjet, to laser, this technology has proved to be a complete game changer. The printer’s functions are incredibly useful, matched in practicality only by it’s complete and utter lack of “sleekness” and “sex appeal”. The printer is a boring machine. What it does is boring, its appearance (a gray box) is boring, and what it represents: endless cubicles, not unlike those in the cult classic film, Office Space, is boring; spitting out its’ “T.P.S reports”, until that fateful moment when the world is put on hold by some sort of “PC letter load” issue, or, worse yet, the dreaded paper jam.


But…


What if this incredibly useful (albeit, horribly yawn inducing) printer technology could somehow tap into the aforementioned imagination station that is the Lego brick? What if technological innovation could catch up to this childlike sense of awe and wonder? What if we could do things with the printer that would cause our young selves to flip with excitement; adult sized lego for the real world kinda stuff? Well, welcome to 2016.


 

3D Printing House

In a time when an ever increasing segment of society believes that proper housing should be a right and not a privilege, and in a world where variables such as human conflict and nature’s fury can wipe out established neighbourhoods in the blink of an eye, technology’s ability to speedily erect living spaces out of (literally) mounds of dirt is exciting, to say the least.


COST

Aside from the cost of building and transporting these large printers (which, at this point is substantial), the cost of building the home is limited: fewer labourers, fewer supplies to be shipped and stored, and the use of local, sustainable materials could lead to significant savings.


DESIGN INTRICACIES

Current construction/design engineering will soon be limited when compared to future computer based applications which are, as of this writing, being developed and tested. This is the power of technology at work. This is exciting.


CAVEAT

Now, it should be noted, at this point, that this field is still in its infancy. So there remains much to learn, and much to be done. Additionally, there are naysayers who remain firm in their position that, “this sort of fantasy will never become a reality”. To this we say, “it may be hard to be optimistic, to open up your imagination as you once did; but please try…just this once, for the rest of us.”


Printing houses. Seriously cool stuff.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

RECENT POSTS

What You Need to Know About Mortgages and Parental Leave

By Sabeena Bubber • November 4, 2026
If the title of this article caught your attention, chances are your family is growing. Congratulations. If you’re thinking now is the right time to move into a home that better fits your growing family—but you’re unsure how parental leave affects your ability to qualify for a mortgage—you’re in the right place. Here’s the good news. Qualifying for a mortgage while on parental leave is possible when it’s done correctly. When you work with an independent mortgage professional, lenders can often qualify you based on your return-to-work income , as long as you can provide documentation confirming you have guaranteed employment waiting for you. A word of caution If you walk into a bank branch and disclose that you’re currently on parental leave, there’s a chance the bank will only allow you to qualify using your parental leave income. That can significantly reduce your borrowing power. Parental leave income is typically limited to 55% of your previous earnings, up to a weekly maximum. Qualifying on that amount alone can restrict your options and impact the type of home you can purchase. Why lender choice matters One of the biggest advantages of working with an independent mortgage professional is choice . You’re not limited to one lender’s rules or products. Some lenders will allow you to qualify using 100% of your confirmed return-to-work income , which can make a meaningful difference in your approval amount and overall options. What you’ll need to qualify Most lenders will require an employment letter that includes: Employer name (preferably on company letterhead) Your job title Original start date (to confirm probation has been completed) Confirmed return-to-work date Guaranteed salary upon return Lenders want reassurance that your income will resume once parental leave ends. You may also be asked to provide income history from the past couple of years, which is standard for most mortgage applications. One important note Whether or not you actually return to work after parental leave is entirely your decision. From a mortgage perspective, qualification is based on having a confirmed position available to you at the time of approval. If you have questions about qualifying for a mortgage while on parental leave—or anything mortgage-related—please connect anytime. I’d be happy to walk you through your options and help you plan with confidence.

Bank of Canada Raises Rate to 2.5% — October 28, 2026

By Sabeena Bubber • October 28, 2026
On October 28, 2026, the Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate by 0.25%, bringing it to 2.5%. If you have a mortgage, are shopping for a home, or have a renewal coming up, this decision matters. Here is a plain-language look at what changed, why it happened, and what it could mean for you.
Sabeena and family at Canadian Mortgage Hall Of Fame

A Night I’ll Always Carry With Me

By Sabeena Bubber • October 24, 2026
Sabeena Bubber reflects on her Canadian Mortgage Hall of Fame induction, the journey behind it, and the people who made this meaningful milestone possible.