US firm concrete prints homes for unhoused people

The ICON project is in partnership with the Lennar Foundation, a charitable arm of US-based homebuilder Lennar.

The cohort is building the structures in development with Austin-based non-profit Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF) as part of an expansion of its existing Community First! Village (CFV) site for unhoused men, women and families.

Close up view of ICON and Lennar’s 3DCP homes outside Austin, Texas, US. (Image courtesy ICON)

The expansion space spans 127 acres and is expected to house around 1,800 formerly homeless persons once it’s two-phased scheme is complete. In total (in addition to the 100 3DCP homes from ICON and Lennar), MLF said the expansion will add 1,400 homes in total, which it believes will bring its footprint to 178 acres and 1,900 homes and supporting structures.

The 100 3DCP ICON and Lennar homes will be a mix of town homes and single-family residences ranging from 380 sq ft to 1,040 sq ft.

Icon’s 3D-printed village in Texas, US, nearing completion 3D concrete-printing company more than 90% finished with project

According to local media, the projected cost of the project is more than US$100 million.

It’s not the first collaboration between unhoused advocacy Mobile Loaves & Fishes and ICON: in 2020, the construction printing company delivered a “series” of homes at the same site. In a release this month, ICON stated it had previously contributed 17 homes and facilities for CFV over a four-year period.

An anticipated completion date for the project was not available.

Render of the Community First! Village homes in Texas, US, which 3D printer ICON and home builder Lennar are constructing for unhoused advocacy group Mobile Loaves & Fishes. (Image courtesy ICON)

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