A massive robotics printer from ICON confirmed that its 3D-printed community of homes will soon be completed after two years of production in Georgetown, Texas.
The community is called Wolf Ranch and was built with a 3D printer that is 45 feet wide and weighs over 4.75 tons.
Texas Welcomes 100 3D-Printed Homes by ICON, Lennar
The innovative community was a joint venture of the 3D printing construction developer ICON and a home construction company Lennar. The project started in 2022 intending to finish 100 homes by the end of the summer.
The 3D-printed homes called the "Genesis Collection" cost around $450,000 to $600,000. The companies confirmed that more than a quarter of the houses have already been sold.
NASA is reportedly interested in the same 3D printing technology to help astronauts build structures on the moon. The space agency is targeting to prepare it for the Artemis Moon exploration program that is scheduled to launch its first group in September 2025.
ICON Reveals Details About 3D-Printed Homes
ICON shared that the giant printer used a mixture of concrete, powder, sand, water, and other materials to create stacks of tube-shaped concrete. This helped in constructing the walls and eventually the whole house.
The Genesis Collection is comprised of single-story homes with three to four bedrooms. The company revealed that it would usually take up to three weeks to print.
ICON assured that the walls are designed to withstand extreme weather. The walls are also water-resistant and energy-efficient.
However, the company stated that the thick walls cause problems with WiFi signals. Residents are advised to use mesh internet routers with broadcast signals to ensure connectivity.
