3D-Printed Housing Development Gets a Robotic Upgrade

We hear a lot about 3D-printed houses, but usually, it’s just one model home. In Salida, Colorado, a 55-acre development called Cleora is taking a much bigger step and building an entire neighborhood.

With infrastructure finished, seven homes built, and a few already sold, this project is turning a concept into reality. Cleora aims to be one of the largest 3D-printed residential communities in the world. They are working with True North, their general contractor. Right now, two RIC Robotics autonomous printing systems are busy working on the site.

A 3D-Printed Community

Cleora is testing how we can actually build entire neighborhoods when labor is tight. After seven years of research, the team plans to build over 65 homes here using RIC’s 3D-printing tech.

“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,” said Greg Kenny, Managing Partner, Cleora. “Cleora is demonstrating that this technology is ready to move beyond prototypes and become a practical, scalable solution for real neighborhoods. RIC Robotics has been an outstanding technology partner in helping bring that vision to life.”

By establishing its own metro district, the community is setting up its own utilities, water treatment, and commercial spaces.

“Much of the conversation around 3D-printed construction has centered on individual homes and demonstration projects,” said Dr. Ryan Cox, CEO of RIC Robotics. “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.”

Building a New Workforce

Cleora partnered with Colorado Mountain College so students can get hands-on experience with these robotics. This can help train the next generation of builders.

“As someone with an architectural background, I’ve always believed construction robotics should expand what’s possible in design, not limit it,” said 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.”