Starbucks is set to open its first-ever 3D printed location on April 28th in Brownsville, Texas. This venture marks a significant leap for the company, known for its representation of American consumer culture, similar to that of McDonald’s.
The construction of this innovative store has been carried out by Peri 3D, a prominent player in the 3D construction sector. They utilized a COBOD BOD2 printer to construct the building using concrete, an approach they have effectively applied in previous projects, including housing and large-scale buildings in Europe. Remarkably, the construction of the Starbucks location was completed in just six hours.
Details about the store are limited, but city permits reveal it will be smaller than the average Starbucks, spanning approximately 1,400 square feet. This location will not feature indoor seating or traditional in-café service; rather, it will have a walk-up mobile order pickup area along with a drive-thru. The cost for building this 3D printed Starbucks is estimated at $1,198,000, positioned at 2491 Boca Chica Boulevard.
While the development is a notable achievement for 3D printing, it has attracted some criticism. Members of the 3D printing community have expressed disappointment over the simplicity of the building’s design, suggesting that it fails to leverage the technology’s potential for creating more intricate structures.
Nonetheless, this initiative is an exciting development for both Starbucks and the 3D printing industry as a whole. Whether this method will be adopted for future Starbucks locations remains uncertain, with this project possibly serving as a test case.
For more information about Starbucks and developments in the 3D printing sector, visit 3Dnatives.