There's a new pour from Starbucks: its first 3D -printed store in the US
Located in Seattlecoffee giantMore than 17,000 located nationwide has never been a shop like this as this week opens in the Texas city of Brownsville, along the US-Mexican border, where a computer-controlled robotic-handled work made a large part of the work, pouring one layer of concrete.
The location-what is only a drive-thru-on-open Friday and makes Starbucks a little retailer who has led to a 3D printed commercial structure. Builders have mostly used this technology in residential constructionSee updatesTo deal with an affordable housing crisis.
Starbucks do not say whether there are more such shops on the horizon or why the company chose Brownsville, which has about 190,000 inhabitants and at least four other areas. At first glance, a compact rectangular building with a Starbucks logo looks like any other, but a close look reveals the walls that resemble stacked pipes.
According to construction experts, the store is an example of how the industry inventes technology.
“There are also early times,” said James Rose, director of the Tennessee University Institute of Smart Structures. “I am pleased to see how people do all these different things with it, and I think at some point we understand what is the best use. But at the moment I think you see many tests, and I think it's a good thing.”
The store is located on a busy road where Faviola Maldonado was among those who watched how the construction gradually is in shape.
“It was just different,” said Maldonado, who managed the jewelery shop in the neighborhood before moving. “It was extremely high technology.”
Starbucks confirmed that this is its first 3D -printed store in the US but refused to interview.
Andrew McCoy, Director of Research and Innovation at Virginia Tech Myers-Lawson Construction School, called the new store “Leading Edge”.
In general, construction of 3D technology still costs more than traditional wood fry, McCoy said. But according to him, it helps to solve labor shortages and can be a way to build something faster. He hopes it will eventually become more competitive.
“You are starting to see that technology is getting faster, smaller,” McCoy said. “It's easier to use.”
This story was originally reflected on Fortune.com
