Colorado Project Tests 3D-Printed Homes at Scale

A 55-acre property in Salida, Colorado, formerly the site of the abandoned railroad town of Cleora, is now undergoing development into one of the United States' largest 3D-printed residential communities. The project, named Cleora at Salida East, will feature 106 homes constructed using 3D-printing technology. This initiative aims to serve as a significant proving ground for emerging construction methods and their potential to address the nation's housing supply challenges.

The developers selected the Salida location due to its scale, environmental conditions, and market dynamics, which are conducive to testing and refining 3D-printing processes. The substantial volume of homes planned allows for iterative improvements in efficiency and economic viability over time. Furthermore, Colorado's demanding climate, mountainous landscape, existing labor shortages, and high construction expenses present a robust setting for demonstrating the technology's effectiveness and adaptability.

Greg Kenny, Managing Partner at Cleora, stated in an interview with HousingWire TBD that the development team is actively engaged in fine-tuning their construction methodology. He emphasized the project's capacity for high-volume output, enabling continuous value engineering and process optimization. This approach is crucial for making 3D-printed housing more cost-effective and scalable for broader adoption. The project represents a fusion of historical land use, with the site's past as an early settlement, and a forward-looking vision for innovative housing solutions.