BIG and ICON complete first 3D-printed house in Texas

The ICON Vulcan system 3-D printed homes at the Wolf Ranch development in Texas. 

Photo By ICON

The world’s largest 3-D printed community has completed its first finished model home and entertained prospective buyers who toured units at the project’s grand opening on Saturday

The development in Georgetown, Texas, called Wolf Ranch is located about 30 miles north of Austin, the state capital, and is a collaboration between Texas construction firm ICON, homebuilding company Lennar and Danish architecture practice Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG).

Some of the units have already sold, ICON spokesperson Cara Caulkins told CNN. The homes are set to 
Built by ICON and Lennar, this innovative 100-home community of 3D-printed homes codesigned by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group features eight floorplans, 24 elevations and will be powered by the sun with rooftop solar panels.

According to CNN, the walls are made from a concrete mix called Lavacrete, which is piped into place using 46-foot-wide robotic printers. After the walls are printed, the doors, windows and roofs — all of which are equipped with solar panels — are installed.

 

 

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Larry Adams | Editor

Larry Adams is a Chicago-based writer and editor who writes about how things get done. A former wire service and community newspaper reporter, Larry is an award-winning writer with more than three decades of experience. In addition to writing about woodworking, he has covered science, metrology, metalworking, industrial design, quality control, imaging, Swiss and micromanufacturing . He was previously a Tabbie Award winner for his coverage of nano-based coatings technology for the automotive industry. Larry volunteers for the historic preservation group, the Kalo Foundation/Ianelli Studios, and the science-based group, Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C2ST).