【3D Printing】Changing the Norms of Architecture! The First 3D-Printed Starbucks in the U.S.
A new Starbucks has arrived! And this time, it's actually 3D-printed?
Located on Boca Chica Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas, this drive-thru Starbucks officially opened for business in June 2025. With this innovative and eye-catching 3D-printed location, Starbucks has become one of the few major retailers in the U.S. to take on the challenge of applying 3D printing technology to commercial architecture.
Spanning approximately 1,400 square feet, the entire construction of this store was completed in just six days through a collaboration with Peri 3D Construction, significantly reducing labor, time, and construction costs. The primary work was handled by a robotic arm using a technology that layers concrete. The design, characterized by rectangular stacked concrete walls, integrates door and window structures into the building as a whole, resulting in a futuristic appearance.
At first glance, the compact, rectangular building with the Starbucks logo doesn't look much different from other stores. However, upon closer inspection, the distinct-contoured walls resemble a structure of stacked pipes. Architecture experts view this store as a tangible example of the construction industry exploring the use of 3D printing technology.
James Rose, director of the Smart Structures Laboratory at the University of Tennessee, stated, "It is still in the early stages. It’s exciting to see it being tested for various applications, and I believe it will find its ideal niche in the future. There is a lot of experimentation going on right now, which is definitely a good thing."
Andrew McCoy, associate head of research and innovation at Virginia Tech’s Myers-Lawson School of Construction, evaluates this new store as having a "first-mover advantage."
According to McCoy, on the whole, the current cost of construction using 3D technology is higher than traditional wood-frame construction. However, he notes that 3D technology is useful for addressing labor shortages and shortening construction timelines. He predicts that as the technology evolves, its cost competitiveness will eventually improve.
"We are starting to see the technology get faster and smaller. It's becoming easier to use," McCoy stated.
"We are starting to see the technology get faster and smaller. It's becoming easier to use," McCoy stated.
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In fact, this is not the first time Starbucks has used 3D printing technology in its stores.
In 2017, the Reserve Roastery in Shanghai, China, introduced a signature Teavana bar with a base constructed using 3D printing technology. According to Starbucks, it was built using recycled materials in a method similar to CONCR3DE. The 3D-printed layers form a sturdy base approximately 7.5 meters long.
The world's first 3D-printed coffee shop opened by Starbucks in Brownsville, Texas, is not only an innovative experiment in commercial space, but also a significant milestone in the digital revolution of the construction industry. Looking to the future, this building, where a robotic arm stacked concrete layer by layer, demonstrates that an era of more efficient, flexible, and sustainable construction is accelerating toward us.
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