In Georgetown, Texas, a residential community built by a giant 3D printer is gradually taking shape. This project, which has a history of nearly two years, has already sold more than a quarter of its homes.
According to Reuters, this community, known as "Wolf Ranch," is being constructed using a 3D printer named "Vulcan." This printer is an impressive 45 feet wide and weighs 4.75 tons—truly a behemoth!
This initiative is a joint venture between 3D printed construction developer ICON and housing construction company Lennar. Officially commenced in November 2022, it is expected to complete the construction of 100 homes by the end of summer. Currently, many owners have already moved into the completed 3D printed residences, priced between $450,000 and $600,000.
ICON's 3D printer uses a mixture of cement powder, sand, and other materials to stack layers of tubular concrete according to a specific design, forming walls and eventually constructing the entire house. These homes are primarily single-story, with three to four bedrooms, and the printing process takes about three weeks. The foundation and metal roof are built by a human team using traditional methods.
The finished walls resemble giant corduroy fabric, but they are actually designed to be very robust and sustainable, capable of withstanding extreme weather. Additionally, these homes feature waterproofing and energy-saving characteristics. The modern ranch-style design of the residences is provided by architectural firm BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group. The construction process has also been optimized over time; Conner Jenkins, ICON's senior project manager, noted that initially, five different construction teams were involved, but now it has been streamlined to one team and one printer.
However, there is a minor issue: the thickness of the walls affects WiFi signal strength. Residents have had to use multiple wireless network routers instead of relying on a single router to cover the entire home.
It's worth noting that ICON's ambitions extend beyond Earth; NASA has shown a keen interest in this technology and plans to use it to construct lunar structures during the Artemis lunar exploration mission in 2025.
Key Points:
🏡 ICON and Lennar collaborate to 3D print nearly a hundred homes in Texas, priced between $450,000 and $600,000.
🛠️ Utilizing the giant 3D printer named Vulcan, the printing process takes about three weeks, with walls designed to be robust and withstand extreme weather.
🌙 NASA plans to use ICON's technology to build a lunar base during the Artemis mission in 2025.