It may not be as American as apple pie, but Starbucks has quickly become an emblem of American soft power and consumerism, similar to McDonald’s. And now, Starbucks has announced its first-ever 3D printed location. Opening on April 28th, it will be placed in Brownsville, Texas.
Construction 3D printing has been around for quite some time and Peri 3D, who are behind this 3D printed Starbucks, is one of the major leaders in the sector. Using a COBOD BOD2 3D construction printer with concrete, the company has finalized numerous projects including single-family housing, apartment buildings, Europe’s largest 3D-printed building in Heidelburg, and even an apartment complex in France. This same solution now is being used in Texas, with the construction estimated to have only taken six hours.
The 3D printed Starbucks location has a pick up area and drive-thru (photo credits: Dina Arévalo/MYSA)
What Do We Know About the 3D Printed Starbucks?
Admittedly, there is not much information out about the 3D printed Starbucks. We know that the location will be smaller than average according to city permits, measuring just 1,400 square feet. This is because it will not have indoor seating or an in-café service. Rather, the 3D printed Starbucks will have a walk-up mobile order pickup area as well as a drive-thru.
The construction was done with the COBOD BOD2 3D printer and concrete, costing an estimated $1,198,000. The structure is located at 2491 Boca Chica Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas and adds to a thriving construction 3D printing sector in the state. Pictures from local news sources, show as well that the building has already been completed, just in time for the big opening.
That being said, there has been some criticism around the 3D printed building. While many are praising the innovation of Starbucks turning to this construction method, those in the 3D printing community have wondered why the building is so simple. 3D printing is known for its ability to create complex geometries, something that has been used in previously 3D printed buildings. This was not taken for advantage in this case, with the resulting building seeming quite plain.
A side look at the new Starbucks location (photo credits: Brownsville Today via Instagram)
Regardless, it is an exciting piece of news for the 3D printing industry. Whether it will be used for other Starbucks stores remains to be seen, the simplicity of the design and the relative little fanfare behind the opening seems to suggest that at the very list this is a test for the major brand. We will let you know if we hear any further news!
What do you think of this 3D printed Starbucks? Do you think we’ll see more chains adopting construction 3D printing? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
*Cover Photo Credits: Brownsville Today via Instagram