A couple of weeks ago, we shared how the world’s first 3D printed school was being built in Madagascar. Now, anyone can take part in the 3D dwelling as the first printed US houses hit the market.
The houses, constructed by printing firm Icon, are located in a housing development in Austin, Texas, and will be available to buyers at a starting price of $450,000. The homes range in size from two to four bedrooms and are expected to be move-in ready by summer 2021. Although the first floor of each home is entirely printed, the second uses a timber frame and some traditional building methods to add the finishing touches.
The houses were made possible by an investment from Bjarke Ingels Group, and Icon collaborated with Kansas City developer 3Strands as well as Logan Architecture to create the homes.
While these homes are marketed as the first 3D printed options available in the US, Icon piloted an initial printed home project in Mexico in 2019. 3D printing has been hailed as a way to construct more sustainable and affordable homes with less waste. If this first development sells successfully, we will likely see the takeoff of 3D printed homes around the country.
Image source: Icon
