The world’s largest 3D-printed village is nearing completion in the Wolf Ranch area of Texas, USA. Built using ICON’s massive Vulcan 3D printer, this village has made a significant impact on the construction industry. This printer is far from the desktop 3D printers you may be familiar with; it measures 13.7 meters in length and weighs 4.75 tons. Since the beginning of summer, ICON’s robotic architects (printers) have been working on constructing 100 3D-printed homes in this area.
The World’s Largest 3D-Printed Village Has Been Built! Next Target: The Moon
ICON launched the project for the world’s largest 3D village in November 2022. Compared to traditional construction methods, 3D printing technology offers significant advantages in terms of speed, cost, labor requirements, and material waste. Conner Jenkins, ICON’s senior project manager, stated, “This innovation has greatly increased construction efficiency. Wall systems, which previously required collaboration from multiple teams, can now be completed with high efficiency by just one team and one robot.”
The Vulcan printer meticulously mixes materials like concrete powder, water, and sand, applying them layer by layer through a special nozzle to create extremely durable walls. These walls are waterproof, mold-resistant, termite-proof, and resistant to extreme weather conditions. Additionally, constructing a 3D-printed house takes only three weeks, and these homes provide unexpectedly comfortable living spaces.
Lawrence Nourzad, one of the first residents of the Wolf Ranch community, couldn’t stop praising the sturdiness and comfort of his new home. Nourzad noted that his house is resistant to the hurricanes that frequently occur in Texas and that the thick walls provide excellent insulation during the summer.
However, these thick walls have caused some issues with wireless signal transmission, so ICON recommends that homeowners use mesh network routers that broadcast signals from multiple units. The houses in the world’s largest 3D-printed village are called the “Genesis Collection,” with prices ranging between $450,000 and $600,000.
So far, a quarter of these homes have been sold, and there is immense interest in this fast construction method. ICON’s ambitions don’t stop there. After building its first 3D-printed house in Austin in 2018, the company set its sights on the Moon.
As part of NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration program, ICON received a contract to develop systems capable of building landing pads, shelters, and other structures on the Moon’s surface. So, what do you think? Where is the construction industry headed? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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