Insider Brief
- Construction is advancing at Cleora, a 55-acre residential development in Salida, Colo., where developer Cleora and general contractor True North plan to use RIC Robotics’ systems for more than 65 3D-printed homes.
- The project has completed infrastructure, finished seven homes and started additional construction, with two RIC autonomous printing systems currently operating at the site and True North’s first model home under construction.
- Cleora has also established what RIC described as the county’s first 3D-printed metro district and is partnering with Colorado Mountain College on workforce training in construction robotics, 3D printing and digital design.
Construction is underway at a 55-acre residential development in Salida, Colo., where developer Cleora and general contractor True North plan to use RIC Robotics’ construction systems for more than 65 3D-printed homes.
The project, called Cleora, has completed its infrastructure, finished seven homes and begun work on additional houses, according to RIC Robotics, which announced the latest construction update. Multiple homes have also been sold.
Cleora is developing the community in partnership with True North, its dedicated 3D-printing general contractor that is using construction robotics and 3D-printing technology supplied by RIC Robotics. Currently, two autonomous printing systems operating at the site, the compnay noted.
“Much of the conversation around 3D-printed construction has centered on individual homes and demonstration projects,” said RIC Robotics CEO Ryan Cox, CEO said in the update. “Cleora represents a significant step forward because it demonstrates how robotics can be integrated into a real community at meaningful scale. The project is helping answer important questions about how technology can support the future of housing delivery, from construction efficiency and workforce development to long-term community growth.”
The project follows nearly seven years of research by the Cleora team into construction technologies, development strategies and housing production methods, according to the update. After evaluating multiple technology providers, the team selected RIC Robotics to support construction of the 3D-printed homes.
“From day one, our vision wasn’t simply to build 3D-printed homes, it was to prove that robotics could transform how entire communities are designed and delivered,” noted Cleora managing partner Greg Kenny. “Cleora is demonstrating that this technology is ready to move beyond prototypes and become a practical, scalable solution for real neighborhoods.”
RIC’s systems use robotic platforms to print portions of a building’s structure with concrete and the company also provides architectural design, material development, training and support services. True North is taking a measured approach to increasing production, according to RIC. Its first model home is under construction, with the printed shell expected to be completed this month and production expected to gradually increase over the coming years.
Cleora’s developers are also using the project to test how robotic construction fits into a full residential development rather than treating the technology as a stand-alone building method. The community has established what RIC described as the county’s first 3D-printed metro district, which will support infrastructure including utilities, water treatment, commercial and recreational facilities and other services.
The project also includes a workforce-training component. Cleora is working with Colorado Mountain College to give students experience with construction robotics, 3D-printing systems and digital design software, according to the announcement. RIC said the collaboration is expected to support future training programs and certifications tied to emerging construction technologies while helping prepare workers for more automated construction environments.
“As someone with an architectural background, I’ve always believed construction robotics should expand what’s possible in design, not limit it,” added Ziyou Xu, Founder of RIC Robotics. “Cleora demonstrates that modern, architecturally distinctive homes can be delivered at scale without increasing costs for homeowners. That’s the promise of construction robotics, creating communities that are both beautiful and attainable while fundamentally changing how we build.”
