Architecture

World's largest 3D-printed housing development reveals completed model home

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Wolf Ranch was created by BIG, Icon, and Lennar. Its first residents began arriving in September, 2023
Lennar/Icon
Wolf Ranch was created by BIG, Icon, and Lennar. Its first residents began arriving in September, 2023
Lennar/Icon
Wolf Ranch's 3D-printed homes were designed by BIG and range from $475,990 to $559,990
Lennar/Icon
Wolf Ranch's 3D-printed model home features a large open living area with an island kitchen
Lennar/Icon
Wolf Ranch's 3D-printed model home includes a patio area
Lennar/Icon
Wolf Ranch's homes include up to four bedrooms and three bathrooms, depending on the model
Lennar/Icon
Wolf Ranch's 3D-printed model home features the telltale "ribbed" walls that are a byproduct of the 3D printing build process
Lennar/Icon
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An ambitious development of a hundred homes named Wolf Ranch looks set to become a major step forward in 3D-printed construction going mainstream in the United States. Located near Austin, Texas, the project's first model home has now been revealed ahead of the first batch of residents arriving in September.

Described as the largest-scale development of 3D-printed homes in the world, Wolf Ranch is being built by Lennar and Icon, and is co-designed by high-profile architecture firm the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). The project is part of a larger development by Hillwood Communities Development that will also contain traditionally built homes.

The 100 3D-printed houses range from 1,500 - 2,100 sq ft (roughly 140 - 195 sq m), all on one floor. They come in eight different floorplans and offer either three or four bedrooms and two or three bathrooms. Their overall design is inspired by traditional Texas ranches.

The completed home pictured is being used for would-be buyers to get an idea of what living in a 3D-printed house is really like. At first glance it looks much like any other modern home, though on closer inspection it features the telltale ribbed walls, which reveal it was created using a 3D printer. It looks light-filled and spacious inside, with generous glazing and a large open living area with included kitchen.

Wolf Ranch's 3D-printed model home features a large open living area with an island kitchen
Lennar/Icon

The homes will reduce their grid-based energy usage with a solar panel system. They will also boast some smart home tech, such as a Ring Video Doorbell, Wi-Fi-operated lock, and a smart thermostat.

The Wolf Ranch development is being constructed using Icon's own Vulcan 3D printers. The build process is similar to other 3D-printed projects we've covered before and involves the 3D printer extruding a cement-like proprietary mixture called Lavacrete out of a nozzle in layers, building up the basic structure of the home. Human builders then finish off the house by adding a roof, doors, windows, and anything else required.

There are currently six completed 3D-printed homes available for purchase in the Wolf Ranch 3D-printed development. Pricing ranges from US$475,990 to $559,990 and those interested can virtually tour the homes using the source link below.

Source: Icon

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4 comments
TechGazer
I'd be more impressed by a concrete-free material for printing houses. Clay+sand can make sturdy, long-lasting buildings, and straw, woodchips or other such materials can make them stronger and insulating. There would be trade-offs, such as speed of printing, and not printing the roof, but it would be far better for the environment. If you did need to tear a clay-based house down, just spray with water for a while, pull the wiring, plumbing and other artificial materials from the mud, and you're left with clean fill that breaks down into soil. Lavacrete sounds like it might become hazardous waste (polymer breakdown products) filled with valuable materials (copper, aluminum) expensive to remove for recycling.
ljaques
It's truly a shame that Icon didn't live up to its hype. They led off saying how their speedy printing of homes would help so many needy in all countries by building extremely affordable small houses. But the many builds I've seen from them for the past 5 years have all been priced at half-million plus, with the exception of the $50k value cottages they did for "only" $239k or $280k.
These $559,990 homes are unlivable, bland, and tasteless. The gaps between the soffit and house ensure that anything smaller than a Jackalope could squeeze inside.
Bob809
Having just read the comments (TechGazer and ljaques) below, I feel like my own thoughts are trivial. I was looking at the construction method, the layering, and thinking about the problems with dust accumulation. I think the issues with price along with the fact these homes are untested says a lot about the buyers. They are going to be 'testing' if this type of -current level of- 3D printed home is ever going to work everywhere. With the variations of weather in the US alone, this could be very problematic. I do like them however, but I wouldn't want to live in one.
Rhino
Well, considering the cost, I'll stick to my shipping container design which is based on a 2 story 2 over 3 design. Forget the stigma as you can get a virtually new one trip 40 High Cube container for under $5K, so, it's under $25K for my modern design 1650 Sqrft structure. No cookie cutter design here. Best is I design it to be EXACTLY what I want for a lot less $$$. The top of my 2 second floor units will provide 640 Sq ft of surface area for a solar array. Also, reusing containers is good for all aspects of a greener design. Wish I could post pic here but haven't figured that out yet in the software, Cedreo.