Largest 3D-printed neighborhood with 100 homes nears completion in US
The world's largest 3D-printed neighborhood, a project by ICON, is on the verge of completion in Wolf Ranch, a community in Georgetown, Texas. The ambitious project involves the construction of 100 houses using a robotic printer named Vulcan. This massive printer, measuring over 45 feet wide and weighing approximately 4,750kg, has been operational since November 2022.
3D-printed homes: A revolution in construction efficiency
ICON asserts that 3D printing homes is a more efficient and cost-effective approach than traditional construction methods. The process requires fewer workers and significantly reduces construction material waste. "It brings a lot of efficiency to the trade market," said ICON's Senior Project Manager Conner Jenkins. "So, where there were maybe five different crews coming in to build a wall system, we now have one crew and one robot," he added.
The process and its advantages
The 3D printing process involves mixing concrete powder, sand, water, and other additives together before pumping them into the printer. The printer then extrudes the mixture layer by layer along a pre-programmed path to create corduroy-effect walls. Each single-story three to four-bedroom home takes about three weeks to print, with traditional methods used for installing the foundation and metal roofs.
A solution to extreme weather conditions
The concrete walls of these 3D-printed homes are designed to withstand mold, water, termites, and extreme weather conditions. Homeowners Lawrence Nourzad and Angela Hontas confirmed that their 3D-printed home provides strong insulation from the Texas heat. However, they noted that the thick walls can interfere with wireless internet connections. To address this issue, an ICON spokesperson suggested homeowners use mesh internet routers which broadcast signals from several units placed throughout a home.
Pricing and future prospects of 3D-printed homes
The homes at Wolf Ranch are priced between $450,000 and $600,000 with over a quarter of them already sold. ICON first printed a home in Austin in 2018 and has plans for future projects beyond Earth. The company has been contracted by NASA as part of its Artemis Moon exploration program, to develop a construction system which is capable of building shelters, landing pads, and other structures on the lunar surface.
