First of 10 3D-printed barracks opens at Fort Bliss

The project represents the largest deployment of robotic construction for the Department of War to date.
By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor
Aug. 14, 2026
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Photo: U.S. Army photo by David Poe
Photo: U.S. Army photo by David Poe

Army leaders, stakeholders and guests tour one of three new 3D-printed barracks at Fort Bliss, Texas, Jan. 29, 2025. According to ICON, an Austin, Texas, company that spearheaded the project, the buildings each encompass 5,700 square feet. When construction began in 2024, these barracks were the largest planned 3D-printed structures in the Western Hemisphere. Photo: U.S. Army photo by David Poe

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the first of 10 new 3D-printed barracks at Fort Bliss, Texas was held July 28.

The project is the largest deployment of robotic construction capabilities for the Department of War to date. It builds on a 2024 proof of concept at Fort Bliss that constructed two 3D-printed buildings of a similar design.

The current contract consists of 10 open-bay, 3D-printed transient training barracks accommodating up to 560. The printing phase of all 10 buildings took 58 days with an estimated contract-to-delivery time of nine months.

Each conditioned building is Unified Facilities Criteria-compliant with an area of 5,772 sf. The Army achieved a 9.3% cost savings compared to traditional military construction benchmarks at four times the speed of traditional construction methods. 

U.S. Army Col. Michael Soyka, Fort Bliss garrison commander, talks amongst members of the El Paso community about the infrastructure of the newly 3-D barracks during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Fort Bliss, Texas, July 28, 2026. This $62.8 million contract consisted of ten open-bay 3D printed transient training barracks, accommodating up to 560 service members and was completed within six months. Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Camaquin

U.S. Army Col. Michael Soyka, Fort Bliss garrison commander, talks amongst members of the El Paso community about the infrastructure of the newly 3-D barracks during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Fort Bliss, Texas, July 28, 2026. This $62.8 million contract consisted of ten open-bay 3D printed transient training barracks, accommodating up to 560 service members and was completed within six months. Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Camaquin

Photo: U.S. Army photo by David Poe
Photo: U.S. Army photo by David Poe

Photo: U.S. Army photo by David Poe

Photo: U.S. Army photo by David Poe
Photo: U.S. Army photo by David Poe

An example of the facilities in one of the new 3D-printed barracks at Fort Bliss, Texas, Jan. 29, 2025. According to ICON, an Austin, Texas, company that spearheaded the project, the buildings each encompass 5,700 square feet. When construction began in 2024, these barracks were the largest planned 3D-printed structures in the Western Hemisphere. Photo: U.S. Army photo by David Poe

Fort Bliss and 1st Armored Division senior leaders along with distinguished guests of ICON Prime come together for a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new 3-D barracks on Fort Bliss, Texas, July 28, 2026. The project represents the largest deployment of robotic construction capabilities for the Department of War to date, highlighting how emerging technologies are reshaping Army infrastructure. Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Camaquin

Fort Bliss and 1st Armored Division senior leaders along with distinguished guests of ICON Prime come together for a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new 3-D barracks on Fort Bliss, Texas, July 28, 2026. The project represents the largest deployment of robotic construction capabilities for the Department of War to date, highlighting how emerging technologies are reshaping Army infrastructure. Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Camaquin

Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Camaquin
Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Camaquin

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss commanding general, addresses the crowd and media during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly constructed, 3D-printed barracks on Fort Bliss, Texas, July 28, 2026. 1st Armored Division, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and ICON present the first of ten 3D-printed barracks for up to 560 service members to modernize Army infrastructure, enhance readiness and provide energy-resilient, high-quality housing at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional construction. Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Camaquin

U.S. Army Col. Michael Soyka, Fort Bliss garrison commander, and El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson, tour the newly constructed 3-D barracks during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Fort Bliss, Texas, July 28, 2026. By partnering with ICON and the U.S. Army Engineers to finish construction in about six months, demonstrating a faster, more economical way to build high quality, energy efficient barracks that improves Soldier quality of life and supports mission readiness. Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Camaquin

U.S. Army Col. Michael Soyka, Fort Bliss garrison commander, and El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson, tour the newly constructed 3-D barracks during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Fort Bliss, Texas, July 28, 2026. By partnering with ICON and the U.S. Army Engineers to finish construction in about six months, demonstrating a faster, more economical way to build high quality, energy efficient barracks that improves Soldier quality of life and supports mission readiness. Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Camaquin

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