AI + 3D + coffee = first 3D-printed Starbucks

The first Starbucks built on a 3D printer has opened in Texas. Without seats and bathrooms. Not a futuristic invention, but a new model of urban existence, where productivity dominates over comfort.

In the city of Brownsville, Texas, the first Starbucks coffee shop, completely printed on a 3D printer, has opened. There are no chairs, toilets and, in fact, a construction crew. The new format is designed for drive-thru and online ordering – “drive up, pick up, go”.

• The building was erected by robotic arms in just 6 days. Inside – a minimalist design for baristas, designed to maximize their movements. Around – a xerographic landscape, without a lawn: only gravel and plants that do not require troublesome care.
• This approach to architecture, known as *deployable infrastructure*, allows you to quickly deploy franchise points in any city, without worrying about infrastructure costs – almost like a “capsule from a machine gun”.

The reason for such transformations lies in the digital culture and the new reality of American suburbs. In megacities such as Phoenix, Dallas or Las Vegas, where public transportation is almost non-existent, the need for mobility without being tied to space is growing. That is why Starbucks is testing the format of establishments where people do not linger – and do not intend to do so. Such coffee shops are more like algorithmic terminals than places for communication. And although the company previously actively promoted the concept of a “third place” (outside the home and office), the new format actually eliminates it.

The 3D cafe without an interior is not just an experiment, but a projection of the future of urbanism. This is a step towards emotionally neutral efficiency, where AI decides what your city will look like, and non-random encounters and atmosphere are an unnecessary burden. It is worth asking yourself now: does AI take humanity into account in design?