With low inventory across the U.S. housing market, some companies are looking for new and innovative ways to build homes more quickly, and one potential way is utilizing 3D printing techniques. According to Fast Company, 3D home developer ICON is nearing completion of one of the world's largest 3D printed communities.
Wolf Ranch in Georgetown, Texas, began in November 2022. The project uses the 4.75-ton Vulcan printer, which ICON says allows the project to be completed in less time with fewer workers and less construction waste. The structural walls of each single-story home—offered in three- or four-bedroom layouts—take about three weeks to finish printing.
“It brings a lot of efficiency to the trade market,” said ICON 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.”