P
eople are buying into futuristic homes, with dozens sold at a Texas community, and more widespread adoption expected in five years. Austin-based ICON has shifted from building prototypes to partnering with Lennar on a 3D-printed housing development.
The most common method uses a concrete-like material, but houses have also been made with wood byproducts. ICON is working with NASA to print structures on the moon and Mars, with the first test on the moon set for the end of the decade.
ICON's chief operating officer, Graeme Waitzkin, believes "people will start to see 3D-printed communities popping up in their town in the next five years." Wolf Ranch, a housing development about 30 miles north of Austin, is the furthest along with ICON's residential project. The last of the 100 homes are now being built or printed.
At the heart of ICON's operation is a massive 3D printer that squeezes out a proprietary mix layer by layer. The result is walls with a stony texture, which can be covered by wood or drywall for those who prefer something more familiar. "House Zero," a prototype unveiled in 2022, sits in an Austin neighborhood and fits in as well as any unique home might.
Others are also doing residential 3D printing, including Citizen Robotics, Alquist 3D, and the University of Maine's Advanced Structures & Composites Center. The University of Maine printed an experimental house called "BioHome 3D" using byproducts from the lumber industry.
As of mid-October, nearly 30 homes in Wolf Ranch have been sold, with another 15 for sale and dozens more going on sale soon. The homes are priced from $395,000 to $595,000, and there are eight floor plans available. Waitzkin says there is demand for these homes, which offer modern designs that emphasize natural light and connection to the outdoors.
Regulators have not raised issues with 3D printing, understanding that construction details are similar to concrete block. The company claims 3D printing requires fewer workers and creates less waste, making it more affordable than traditional homebuilding methods.
ICON is also working on building homes on the moon and Mars, using lunar regolith instead of Earth materials. NASA officials are optimistic about the project, which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of its materials. An ICON printer is set to fly to the moon by the end of the decade to test print part of a landing pad.
