At the McGregor research site in Texas, Texas A&M AgriLife Research has completed three 3D-printed residential buildings together with construction company ICON and materials partner QuadTex. The buildings, which measure just under 111 square meters, will provide accommodation for students taking part in agricultural technology projects and research work on the site. The McGregor site is part of a nationwide network of agricultural research stations investigating animal husbandry, crop production and environmental technology, among other things.
The new buildings were constructed using ICON’s robotic construction process, which is based on a proprietary mix of concrete materials and applied layer by layer using large-format 3D printing.
“The homes will be integral as we move forward with the new AgriTech Innovation Hub at McGregor,” said G. Cliff Lamb, Director of AgriLife Research. “The hub program will support innovation through industry collaboration. These new 3D-printed homes will help guarantee a constant expert presence on site, guiding our mission to advance agricultural, natural resources and life sciences research across Texas and beyond.”
For AgriLife Research, the project is not just about living space. According to Institute Director G. Cliff Lamb, the buildings are a strategic component of the planned “AgriTech Innovation Hub” at the McGregor site. In future, this will link research initiatives with industrial partners and promote the continuous exchange between science and application. The permanent presence of specialists on site will be facilitated by the new accommodation.
“We’re excited to see these homes officially completed for Texas A&M AgriLife Research,” said Bella Nowland, Director of Business Development at ICON. “Designed from our TexNext Collection, these homes will serve students, researchers, faculty, and industry leaders who are shaping the future of agriculture in Texas and beyond. It’s exciting to see innovation happening at the intersection of housing and agriculture, and we look forward to continuing to build a more advanced and resilient future together.”
The project illustrates how additive manufacturing technologies are increasingly establishing themselves in the construction industry. Automated construction processes are becoming increasingly important, particularly in the context of temporary or specialized commercial buildings – not least due to their potential for standardization, scalability and integration into technological infrastructures.
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