3D-Printed Houses: Coming to a Neighbourhood Near You!

The world’s largest 3D-printed neighbourhood, Wolf Ranch, is nearing completion in Georgetown, Texas.

The project – situated over 40 kilometres north of Austin – is a collaboration between start-up ICON and homebuilder Lennar. They aim to build 100 homes, making it the largest community of 3D-printed houses globally. Construction began in 2022, and as of August 2024, only a few units remain to be printed.

ICON’s Vulcan printer is used to layer concrete in a pre-programmed design, creating ribbed walls for each home. Afterward, traditional construction crews install features such as roofs and doors. The homes, ranging from 140-to-200 square metres, are equipped with solar panels and smart home technology. Prices start at approximately $430 000.

The Texas-based firm touts 3D-printing as faster, more efficient and less wasteful than traditional construction methods. The houses are also designed to withstand extreme weather, mould and termites. However, the thick walls have posed challenges for wireless Internet connectivity, which homeowners have addressed with mesh routers.

The project also holds significance for space exploration: ICON has a contract with NASA to develop technologies for constructing infrastructure on the Moon and Mars. The company views Wolf Ranch as a stepping stone to future large-scale, automated construction both on Earth and in space.

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