Johnny Gordon & Iconic Construction: Pioneering New Zealand’s First Fully 3D Printed Show Home — and Leading the Conversation on Smarter Building at RESI 2026
New Zealand’s construction industry is undergoing a seismic shift — and Johnny Gordon is at the heart of it. As the visionary leader of Iconic Construction and Iconic 3D, Johnny has just been announced as a featured speaker at the 2026 Residential Development Summit, joining the panel “Building Smarter: The Future of Construction Is Here.” With his trailblazing work in 3D printed homes, he’s not just building houses — he’s redefining how we think about the future of residential development.
The Rotokauri 3D Printed Show Home
Iconic Construction recently unveiled a ground-breaking project: New Zealand’s first fully 3D printed show home, located in Brymer Heights, Hamilton. Designed in collaboration with Waikato-based architectural firm The Architecture People, the Rotokauri home demonstrates what’s possible when technology, sustainability, and design intersect.
The show home is a showcase of modern living, featuring:
- Three spacious bedrooms
- Two stylish bathrooms
- Open-plan living areas
- 1.5 garages
- Signature curved 3D printed concrete walls
But it’s not just about the interior. Even the landscaping breaks the mold, with a large-scale 3D printed concrete retaining wall shaping the rear garden — a first-of-its-kind approach in New Zealand residential construction.
Technology Meets Craftsmanship
The show home was built in collaboration with QOROX, Iconic’s 3D printing and construction technology partner. Using 3D printed concrete instead of traditional timber framing and gib, this project achieves:
- Faster build times
- Superior structural durability
- Customisabledesign features
- Improved environmental performance
- A visually unique, curved aesthetic
The result is a stylish, comfortable, and future-ready home that pushes boundaries without sacrificing quality or liveability. Inside, high-spec finishes — from a designer kitchen to tiled bathrooms and integrated wardrobe systems — show that innovation doesn’t mean compromise.
Meet the Speaker: Johnny Gordon
At the helm of this movement is Johnny Gordon, General Manager of Iconic Construction and Iconic 3D. With a background in both leadership and hands-on construction, Johnny brings a rare blend of practical know-how and visionary thinking to the table.
He’s passionate about modernising New Zealand’s outdated building systems, reducing construction waste, and opening up new possibilities for developers and homeowners alike. Whether it’s faster builds, reduced labour costs, or lowering the carbon footprint of home construction, Johnny believes 3D printing is a key solution.
As a featured speaker at the 2026 Residential Development Summit, Johnny will join the “Building Smarter” session to discuss:
- The potential of 3D printing to transform housing supply
- The role of technology in achieving scale and sustainability
- Why innovation in construction is so hard
- How collaboration between builders, tech partners, and designers drives innovation
The Summit: Where Innovation Meets Action
The 2026 Residential Development Summit will gather developers, iwi, government agencies, planners, and industry innovators to tackle Aotearoa’s most pressing housing challenges. With a packed agenda of global insights, local case studies, and future-forward conversations, it’s a must-attend event for those looking to shape the future of our built environment.
Explore the future of housing. Meet the minds behind the movement. Join the conversation at the Residential Development Summit 2026.
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