World’s Largest 3D-Printed Neighborhood Begins Construction On 100 Homes
At the end of last year, construction technologies firm ICON announced it would be collaborating with home-building firm Lennar Group to build an entire neighborhood of 3D-printed homes in Austin, Texas.
Now, work is officially underway at what could soon be the world’s largest community of 3D-printed homes, all designed by the famed Danish architecture studio Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). Reservations for the units will be up for grabs starting next year.
According to ICON, the neighborhood is situated north of Austin, in the city of Georgetown, where the 100 homes will combine innovative robotics, software, and advanced materials to create a neighborhood that’s not only high-tech, but environmentally friendly.
Design-wise, BIG has chosen Texas ranch-style aesthetics to complement the community’s surroundings, featuring “elevated architectural and energy-efficient designs” that put durability and sustainability at the forefront.
Homeowners can choose from eight different floorplans over 24 unique elevations, with the homes ranging from 1,574 square feet to 2,112 square feet of living space, or three to four bedrooms and two to three baths.
Of course, being eco-friendly is one of the community’s top considerations, and all houses will come equipped with rooftop solar panels so they can be powered by the sun. Lots of technology is on offer too, such as smart doorbells, thermostats, and deadbolts.
Plus, by using ICON’s Vulcan robotic construction systems, setting up these houses can be produced at scale at unprecedented speed. In particular, each home’s full wall system—including its interior and exterior walls—saves on waste and allow for more design freedom.
“For the first time in the history of the world, what we’re witnessing here is a fleet of robots building an entire community of homes. And not just any homes, homes that are better in every way… better design, higher strength, higher energy performance and comfort, and increased resiliency,” said Jason Ballard, co-founder of ICON.
Prices for the units are expected to start from the mid-US$400,000s. Interested homebuyers can learn more here.
