URGENT UPDATE: Houston is set to transform its housing landscape with the launch of Zuri Gardens, the city’s first large-scale community of 3D printed homes. This groundbreaking initiative, spearheaded by local builders Cole Klein and the innovative startup HiveASMBLD, aims to tackle the city’s alarming affordability gap, which has soared to nearly $176,000 according to the 2025 State of Housing report.
The project, located on a 13-acre site near Hobby Airport, will include 80 energy-efficient homes designed to withstand severe weather conditions. Each residence will be available at a price point in the mid to high $200,000s, with down payment assistance of up to $125,000 provided by the City of Houston. “Homebuyers and potential buyers are ready for something they can afford, that’s also built well,” states Robert Spiegel, Chief Development Officer of HiveASMBLD.
This project is more than just a housing solution; it represents a potential blueprint for future developments across the country. As climate change exacerbates flooding and heat risks, Zuri Gardens embodies a resilient answer to one of the most pressing challenges in housing today. With homes constructed using a proprietary concrete blend, the development promises to deliver strength and efficiency that traditional building methods cannot match.
Traditionally, affordability in housing often comes with compromises in quality. However, at Zuri Gardens, every home is built with the same high standards as luxury properties. “A $4 million home and an entry-level home get the same walls,” Spiegel emphasizes, highlighting their commitment to quality. This approach ensures that low-income buyers do not have to sacrifice durability or energy efficiency.
The construction process itself is revolutionary. Using advanced robotic printers, HiveASMBLD lays down custom mortar layer by layer to form each home’s structural walls. “It’s like a printer, but with concrete instead of ink,” Spiegel explains. This method not only reduces construction time from weeks to days but also significantly decreases labor costs and waste, savings that will ultimately benefit buyers.
Houston faces unique challenges, including high insurance costs, with homeowners spending an average of 1.5% of their home’s value on premiums annually. However, the enhanced climate resilience of these 3D printed homes makes it easier for owners to obtain insurance at more favorable rates. “[Insurance carriers] love them,” Spiegel notes, reinforcing the viability of these structures.
With the first homes set to be completed soon, the community will offer around 1,360 square feet per residence, featuring two bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a covered patio for outdoor living. As Zuri Gardens nears completion, it exemplifies how technology can reshape the housing market and offer solutions where they are desperately needed.
The implications of this project extend beyond Houston. If successful, Zuri Gardens could inspire cities nationwide to rethink their approaches to housing shortages—not with cheaper materials, but with smarter, more sustainable technology. “The buyers are coming. And the communities will follow,” Spiegel asserts, as he envisions a future where dignity and quality are foundational to affordable housing.
As the demand for affordable homes continues to rise, Zuri Gardens stands at the forefront of a housing revolution. With its innovative construction techniques and commitment to quality, this project is set to redefine what affordable housing can look like. Stay tuned as we continue to follow this developing story and its impact on communities across the nation.