#3Dstartup: ICON re-imagines the approach to construction

If you follow developments in the 3D printing construction sector, you will have noticed the accelerated growth it has undergone in recent months. With an ever-increasing demand for a new way to deliver more resilient homes at speed, the future looks bright for this industry. One important player in this sector is ICON, based in the U.S. The company develops construction technologies using 3D printing, software and advanced materials to advance the state of construction on Earth and in Space. In order to learn more about the company’s ambitions and current projects, as well as the benefits of additive manufacturing technologies, we got in touch with Alex Le Roux, CTO and Co-Founder of the company.

3DN: Can you introduce yourself and your relationship with 3D printing?

My name is Alex Le Roux, co-founder and CTO of ICON. Together with Evan Loomis and Jason Ballard, we founded ICON in 2017. I got my start with 3D printing in college and founded my first company focused on large scale additive manufacturing. I was captivated by the problem of getting a giant robot to 3D print an entire house. A tall order and a challenge, but one worth pursuing.

Alex Le Roux

We founded ICON to develop advanced construction technologies that advance humanity by using 3D printing robotics, software and advanced materials. In March 2018, ICON printed the first permitted, 3D printed home in Austin, TX alongside the housing nonprofit, New Story. Since then, we have 3D printed nearly 20 homes around the world with dozens more on the way.