Lennar, the second-largest homebuilder in the United States, has made significant strides in innovative construction through its partnership with Icon, a 3D technology company. Together, they embarked on an ambitious project to print 100 homes in the Wolf Ranch development using cutting-edge 40-foot robotic printers. The initiative, which commenced in 2022, marks a significant milestone in the housing industry by integrating advanced technology with traditional homebuilding techniques.
The Wolf Ranch homes boast all the amenities of conventional Lennar communities, providing residents with comfort and modern living spaces. Despite initial costs being slightly higher than anticipated, the homes start at just under $400,000. They are available in two- and three-bedroom models, and approximately 75% of these homes have already been sold.
"We've seen our costs go down by half. We've seen our cycle time go down by half. This is significant improvement in evolving a housing market that has the ability to change over time and being more adaptable and more functional in providing affordable and attainable housing for a broader swath of the market," – Miller
The project leverages two robotic printers, each performing the work of over a dozen construction workers. Operating 24 hours a day, these systems have significantly cut down the cycle time for printing homes, reducing both time and cost by half. This efficiency paves the way for the next phase of their endeavor—a second development in Texas.
Lennar and Icon are planning another project that will encompass roughly 200 homes. The cost of building this second development is expected to be even lower than the first, showcasing the scalability of 3D printing technology in construction. This new phase presents an opportunity to explore economies of scale and further refine their collaborative processes.
"All the learnings about this technology need to happen at scale," – Jason Ballard, CEO of Icon
Jason Ballard highlighted the integration challenges encountered while aligning with Lennar's operations. He emphasized how working with one of the best scale builders globally was a transformative experience for Icon. The partnership not only demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale 3D printed housing but also set a precedent for future collaborations within the industry.
"Figuring out how to integrate with Lennar's operations, who are probably the best scale builders in the world, was a real growing up moment for our company," – Jason Ballard
Beyond cost and efficiency, these 3D printed homes offer durability and resilience against environmental challenges. Stuart Miller, chairman and co-CEO of Lennar, underscored the houses' resistance to natural disasters such as hurricanes and fires. This adaptability positions these homes as a forward-thinking solution in building a healthier and more sustainable housing market.
"We have a durable product here that if you look at its wind resistance for hurricanes, its fire resistance for fire-worn areas — the ability to adapt modern product to what we need for the future in housing and building a healthier housing market is amazing," – Stuart Miller
Residents like Holly Feekings and Pierre Megie have expressed satisfaction with their new homes. Feekings noted feeling safer due to the robust construction, while Megie appreciated the combination of energy efficiency, practicality, and aesthetics that these homes offer.
"I feel safer in this house than any house I've ever lived in, because it's so well built, it's not going to burn down," – Holly Feekings
"We wanted tall doors, taller ceilings, cement floors, somehow, and this home had everything. Really just a combination of energy efficiency, the practicality, the price point, and then the aesthetics," – Pierre Megie