Prime Highlights:
Lennar and Icon have completed a 100-home 3D-printed development in Georgetown, Texas, marking the largest of its kind globally.
Approximately 75% of the homes have already been sold, reflecting strong market interest.
Key Background:
In Georgetown, Texas, a new landmark in the housing industry is emerging—the world’s largest 3D-printed community. The groundbreaking development is the result of a partnership between Lennar, one of the U.S.’s largest homebuilders, and Icon, a leader in 3D printing technology. This collaboration began two years ago with the ambitious goal of constructing 100 homes at Wolf Ranch, a new planned community just outside Austin. To date, approximately 75% of these homes have already been sold, highlighting the growing appeal of 3D-printed housing.
The homes in this community boast all the essential amenities typical of a Lennar development, including modern designs and energy-efficient features. The 2- and 3-bedroom homes, starting at just under $400,000, are equipped with solar panels, and the 3D-printing process gives the walls a distinctive, corduroy-like texture. While the walls and structure are 3D-printed, the roofing is made of metal, marking the only non-printed component.
According to Stuart Miller, Chairman and Co-CEO of Lennar, the homes offer notable benefits in terms of durability, wind resistance, and fire resistance. He emphasized that this innovative approach helps meet the evolving demands for affordable, sustainable housing. The project at Wolf Ranch employed two 40-foot robotic printers in its first year and expanded to 11 machines, significantly increasing production capacity. Each printer operates round-the-clock, producing homes at twice the speed compared to traditional construction methods.
The partnership has also provided valuable lessons in scaling 3D-printed housing. Jason Ballard, CEO of Icon, remarked on the importance of adapting the technology for large-scale production, collaborating with Lennar to refine the process from foundation to final roof installation. Looking ahead, Lennar and Icon are planning a second 3D-printed community in Texas. This new development will feature about 200 homes and is expected to reduce construction costs even further, benefiting from the efficiencies gained in the Georgetown project. As technology evolves, the companies aim to deliver larger homes at an even faster pace, contributing to a more affordable and adaptable housing market.
