Starbucks opens its first 3D printed store in the United States this Friday

Starbucks will open its first store in the United States built with 3D printing technology this Friday in Brownsville, Texas.

This location, which will be self-service only, stands out for its compact design and ribbed walls that mimic stacked tubes.

The construction process was largely carried out by a computer-controlled robotic arm, which poured layers of concrete, one on top of the other, to shape the building.

A robotic arm builds the new and innovative Starbucks location

This step places Starbucks among the few large chains that have experimented with 3D printing in commercial construction, a technology that, until now, has predominantly been used in residential construction.

Although Starbucks has not confirmed whether it will open more stores of this type or why it chose Brownsville, the opening is generating curiosity among local residents, who have been closely following the progress of the construction.

The implementation of 3D printing in construction still carries higher costs compared to traditional techniques, according to industry experts. Andrew McCoy, associate director of research and innovation at the Myers-Lawson School of Construction at Virginia Tech, stated that this technology could help address the labor shortage and streamline the construction process. “Technology is advancing, and it will soon be more cost-competitive,” he said.

James Rose, director of the Institute for Intelligent Structures at the University of Tennessee, also expressed that, while the technology is still in its early days, the various current applications are a positive sign of innovation in the industry.

Local observers like Faviola Maldonado, former owner of a nearby jewelry store, comment that the store is an example of “high technology,” highlighting its uniqueness compared to other establishments in the chain.