Southeast Houston, August 31, 2025
News Summary
A 13-acre development in southeast Houston named Zuri Gardens has started construction on an 80-home community that uses 3D-printed concrete first-floor walls combined with panelized and conventional upper-floor systems. Targeted at households up to 120% AMI, homes will average about 1,360 sq. ft. with two bedrooms, office/flex space and covered patios, and are expected to sell in the mid-to-high $200,000s with city home-buying assistance available. Partners are using AI-driven design and robotic extruders with a low-carbon concrete mix and foam-filled 10-inch walls. The developer projects construction savings, while timelines and final pricing will be released as units are marketed.
Ground broken on Zuri Gardens: an 80‑home, partially 3D‑printed affordable community in southeast Houston
Construction has begun on Zuri Gardens, a 13‑acre housing community in southeast Houston that will include 80 homes with 3D‑printed first floors. The development pairs robotic concrete printing with panelized and conventional construction for upper levels and is part of the City of Houston’s affordable housing program. The homes will average about 1,360 square feet, with two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, an office/flex space, and a covered patio per unit.
Key project facts
– The startup leading the automated additive construction work is a Houston‑based company using AI‑driven design software, robotic arms that extrude a proprietary low‑carbon concrete, and an augmented reality guidance system for prints. First‑floor walls will be printed on site using giant robotic arms and will be about 10 inches thick and later filled with foam insulation for a tight thermal seal.
– Second stories and finishes will be installed by a local developer using panelized systems and conventional trades. Upper‑level materials specified include siding, radiant‑barrier roofing, and sub‑flooring products from an established building materials supplier.
– The site is sited near William P. Hobby Airport on roughly 13 acres between local roads and adjacent to a public high school. Community plans include a lake, walking trails, a pavilion, and an adjacent park.
Affordability, timing and demand
The community is being built under the City’s Affordable Home Development Program and is targeted at households earning up to 120% of Area Median Income (AMI). For context, the 2025 HUD threshold for a four‑person household at 120% AMI in the area is cited at roughly $121,300. Reported eligibility ranges in coverage also reference households between 80% and 120% of AMI. Sales pricing is expected in the mid‑to‑high $200,000s, with buyer assistance programs available that could provide up to $125,000 in down payment aid for qualifying purchasers, subject to separate applications and requirements.
The project has officially broken ground and the developer and printer company say the first house — the 1,360 sq. ft. model — is set for vertical construction in October 2025. Published estimates for full community completion vary across reports: a commonly cited schedule points to about 18 months, while other sources suggest openings in spring or fall of 2026. More than 300 people have registered interest in the 80 homes, according to the developer.
Cost, materials and resilience claims
The printing company promotes a proprietary low‑carbon concrete mix that incorporates industrial waste, with claims of lower labor and material costs that could reduce construction costs by about 10–15% versus traditional builds. The printed concrete walls are described as offering resistance to mold, termites, and extreme weather, and the layered print surface can be finished with stucco for a smooth look if desired. Published per‑square‑foot construction figures for the homes range roughly from $180 to $220 per sq. ft., which is higher than some local median per‑square‑foot figures for new and existing builds but competitive against new‑build medians in the market area.
Short briefs: automotive, drones and FEA for 3D printing
Czinger and high‑end hypercars
An ultra‑performance automaker that launched a 1,233 bhp tandem‑seat hypercar in 2020 continues to focus on high‑end, low‑volume models that feature extensive use of 3D‑printed components. Initial plans for broader model families such as SUVs and four‑seat GTs have been scaled back in favor of closely related hypercar successors and track‑focused variants. Early production runs of the flagship car were extremely limited.
Aalborg University hybrid air/underwater drone
A team of four bachelor’s students in Denmark completed a hybrid prototype capable of operating both as a small aerial drone and an underwater vehicle. The waterproof prototype hovers and flies, dives and swims beneath the surface by changing propeller blade angle, and can transition vertically back into air. Supervising faculty reported the project was developed over two semesters and could have applications in defense, ship inspection and search and rescue.
FEA advances for continuous fiber 3D printing
A composite 3D printing company received a tactical funding increase contract worth $1.9 million from a defense service to develop an advanced finite element analysis tool tailored to continuous fiber 3D printing. The work, scheduled through August 2026, focuses on simulating anisotropic material behavior where strength depends on fiber orientation and steering. The new capability will integrate with the company’s design studio and ingest toolpath data to produce more accurate meshes and structural performance predictions, with the goal of shortening development cycles for mission‑critical parts.
Why this matters
The Zuri Gardens build highlights how robotic concrete printing is moving from single experimental houses into planned neighborhoods and affordable housing programs. Integrating printed structural walls with panelized upper floors aims to balance speed, resilience and cost. At the same time, advances in composite simulation and hybrid robotics illustrate how materials science, software and automation are converging across construction, aerospace and defense. The combined developments point to potential reductions in waste and labor intensity, but also underscore tradeoffs in finish aesthetics, local costs and regulatory and financing arrangements.
FAQ
What is being built at Zuri Gardens?
A 13‑acre community with 80 single‑family homes. Each home averages about 1,360 sq. ft. and includes two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, an office/flex space, and a covered patio. First floors will be 3D‑printed concrete walls with upper levels built using panelized and traditional methods.
Who is responsible for the 3D printing and construction?
A Houston‑based automated additive construction firm will print first‑floor walls using robotic arms and proprietary concrete. A local builder will complete upper stories and interior finishes, and the project involves multiple private and public partners for design, engineering and materials.
Are the homes affordable and who qualifies?
The project is part of a municipal affordable housing program targeting households up to 120% of Area Median Income. Reported eligibility ranges also reference households between 80% and 120% of AMI. Pricing is expected in the mid‑to‑high $200,000 range, with separate down‑payment assistance programs for qualifying buyers.
When will the community be finished?
The first model home was scheduled for vertical work in October 2025. Completion estimates vary across reports, with an often‑cited duration of about 18 months and alternative timelines projecting openings in spring or fall 2026.
What are the benefits and limits of 3D‑printed concrete homes?
Reported benefits include faster wall formation, lower labor and material waste, improved resistance to pests and moisture, and potential energy savings when insulated. Limitations include visible layer lines unless finished, current per‑square‑foot cost differences in some markets, and evolving building code and financing practices.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Zuri Gardens | Other briefs |
|---|---|---|
| Location | 13 acres in southeast Houston near William P. Hobby Airport | Various: automaker strategy, university prototype lab, defense R&D |
| Units | 80 homes, ~1,360 sq. ft. average | n/a (vehicle and tech projects) |
| Construction method | 3D‑printed first floors (robotic arms) + panelized second floors | 3D printing used in automotive components; CF3D for composites; hybrid drone prototyping |
| Affordability | Targeted to up to 120% AMI; mid‑to‑high $200k price range | n/a |
| Key technical notes | Proprietary low‑carbon concrete; 10‑inch printed walls filled with foam insulation | FEA tool for anisotropic composites; hybrid drone flying/diving capability; 3D‑printed hypercar components |
| Funding / incentives | City affordable housing loan, developer forgivable loan, land purchase $6M, infrastructure reimbursement program | Government contract for FEA development ($1.9M TACFI) |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- InnovationMap: Zuri Gardens breaks ground — 3D-printed first floors
- Wikipedia: 3D printing
- KHOU / Houston Business Journal: 3D homes & Zuri Gardens
- Google Search: Zuri Gardens 3D printed homes Houston
- 3D Printing Industry: Houston breaks ground on 3D-printed neighborhood
- Google Scholar: 3D printing in construction
- Houston Chronicle: 3D-printed home project in Houston
- Encyclopedia Britannica: 3D printing (search)
- ProBuilder: Houston gets its first 3D-printed community
- Google News: Zuri Gardens 3D printed homes Houston
Author: Construction TX News
TEXAS STAFF WRITER The TEXAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructiontxnews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Texas and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Texas Construction Expo, major infrastructure unveilings, and advancements in construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated General Contractors of Texas and the Texas Building Branch, plus leading businesses in construction and real estate that power the local economy such as Austin Commercial and CMiC Global. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructionnynews.com, and constructionflnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
