Humans of True North: A Conversation With Clint Haynes
Clint Haynes – Managing Partner, True North 3D Printing Company; entrepreneur focused on innovation, additive manufacturing, and community-driven development.
As Cleora moves from vision to reality, we’re sharing the stories of the local partners whose values, history, and commitment to Chaffee County shape this project every day. Humans of True North highlights the people bringing innovative 3D-printed homes to life within the Cleora community.
Today, we sit down with Clint Haynes, Managing Partner of True North, who is leading this next chapter in homebuilding innovation.
Why Cleora – and why a 3D-printed community?
Cleora’s vision for sustainable, efficient, and locally integrated 3D development immediately resonated with me. It represents more than a housing project – it’s a paradigm shift in how we approach community building.
The opportunity to contribute to something that aligns so closely with my values – innovation, community, and responsible development – was simply too compelling to pass up. Cleora proves that housing can be faster to build, more cost-effective, environmentally responsible, and deeply rooted in the local economy all at once.
What’s your lane on the Cleora team?
On the Cleora team, my primary focus is the technological implementation and optimization of our 3D printing processes. That includes everything from:
- Material selection
- Printer calibration
- Developing efficient print strategies
- Refining workflows to reduce waste and downtime
Beyond the printing itself, I oversee the full vertical construction process – from foundation installation to integrating outdoor living spaces into our designs. My role ensures the seamless integration of 3D printing into our overall construction workflow.
By tightening every variable – quality control, print speed, materials, partnerships – we’re able to deliver homes that are high-quality and built on accelerated timelines. That operational precision is what moves the entire project forward.
Cleora from above captured by 50 West Productions
How do local partnerships strengthen Cleora?
Cleora’s strength starts with its local partnerships.
We collaborate with local suppliers for materials, skilled labor, and logistical support. This does more than support the regional economy – it builds resilience into our supply chain. By sourcing locally and working with trusted partners, we reduce delays, improve communication, and increase overall efficiency.
It’s a model that reinforces our belief that sustainable development isn’t just about materials – it’s about community integration.
Where can you make the biggest gains?
As both our team and our technology mature, I expect the biggest schedule gains to come from:
Increased automation of our printing processes
Refinement of post-processing techniques
Data-driven optimization of print strategies
With every build, we gather more performance data. That insight allows us to reduce manual intervention, tighten timelines, and streamline workflows.
Those gains directly translate into real benefits for buyers. Faster builds and reduced labor costs mean more accessible pricing. The ultimate goal is to make high-quality, sustainable homes attainable for more people – and 3D printing is the tool helping us get there.
The True North 3PD team printing Cleora's pump house.
Lightning Round With Clint Haynes:
Favorite local trail or river day:
Surfing at Scout Wave or hitting the MTB trails in the Salida Mountain Trail system.
Go-to post-work bite in Salida:
Sweetie’s or High Side Bar & Grill.
A song that sounds like home right now:
“Small Town” by John Mellencamp.
Clint Haynes pictured here on site at Cleora with True North 3DP partners, Jeff Post, Greg Kenny, and Donnie Kaess - captured by Laci Montrose
