ICON Unveils the World’s First Village of Affordable 3D-Printed Homes in Mexico

After 18 months of planning, ICON and New Story just unveiled two affordable 3D-printed homes in a groundbreaking development for Tabasco, Mexico.

In Tabasco, Mexico, a family living below the poverty line recently visited their future home: a 3D-printed, 500-square foot structure with two bedrooms, one bath, a wraparound cement patio, and an awning over the front porch. With an off-white exterior complimented by breeze blocks, the dwelling is earthen, compact, and even stylish.

It’s one of two fully furnished homes—printed in about 24 hours and finished by local nonprofit ÉCHALE—that will soon make up a larger community of 50 dwellings with green spaces, parks, amenities, and basic utilities. Tabasco is a seismic zone, so the homes were engineered beyond standard safety requirements—and they’ll endure for generations.

The two 3D-printed homes sit side by side on a singular cement foundation.

The first two 3D-printed homes in Tabasco sit side by side on a cement foundation.

Photo by Joshua Perez

Each home was printed by ICON's Vulcan II printer in around 24 hours and was finished with traditional labor by local nonprofit organization ÉCHALE. A cement pad doubles as a patio, multiple windows provide ample light to the interiors, and breeze blocks above the windows allow for ventilation.

Each home was printed by ICON's Vulcan II printer in around 24 hours and was finished with traditional labor by local nonprofit organization ÉCHALE. A cement pad doubles as a patio, multiple windows provide ample light to the interiors, and breeze blocks above the windows allow for ventilation. 

Photo by Joshua Perez

Through the development and design process, families selected to live in the new community—ones in utmost need—provided feedback to create homes that would best suit their lifestyles. "As we spoke to the community members, we realized that a single house design doesn't respond to the needs and expectations of everyone," explains renowned designer Yves Béhar of fuseproject, who’s been working alongside ICON and New Story for the entirety of the project.

Each home will come fully furnished and ready for families to move in.

Each home will come fully furnished and ready for families to move in. 

Photo by Joshua Perez

See the full story on Dwell.com: ICON Unveils the World’s First Village of Affordable 3D-Printed Homes in Mexico

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