This 3D-printed Texas hotel is shaking up the construction industry

The Vulcan is Icon's massive 3D printer, which stands 15½ feet tall and weighs 4.75 tons. It's capable of creating buildings with 12-foot-high curving walls.

Oct 13, 2024 - 16:00
This 3D-printed Texas hotel is shaking up the construction industry

Something really cool is happening in the heart of Texas

Marfa, that quirky little town known for its art scene, is about to become home to the world's first 3D-printed hotel. 

El Cosmico, a popular campground, is expanding with 43 new hotel rooms and 18 homes, all built by a massive 3D printer.

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This isn't your average boxy hotel. We're talking curvy walls, domes and wild shapes that would cost a fortune with traditional building methods. The owner, Liz Lambert, is teaming up with a 3D printing company called Icon and some top-notch architects to make this dream a reality.

They're using a special cement mix called Lavacrete, pumped out by a giant robot arm. It's like a huge, high-tech Play-Doh machine for buildings. The Vulcan, Icon's massive 3D printer, stands 15½ feet tall and weighs 4.75 tons, capable of creating structures with 12-foot-high curving walls.

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The first rooms are already under construction, and the whole shebang should be ready by 2026. Imagine telling your friends you stayed in a 3D-printed hotel room in the Lone Star State. Now that's a vacation story.

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This project isn't just about creating a unique hotel experience. It's also addressing local housing needs. Additional 3D-printed affordable housing units will be built in Marfa, showcasing designs from Icon's global architecture competition.

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Liz Lambert, the creative force behind El Cosmico, sees this as a realization of a longtime dream. She emphasizes the project's potential to create economic opportunities and contribute to Marfa's cultural fabric.

Jason Ballard, Icon's CEO, highlights the personal significance of the project, given his connection to West Texas.

Bjarke Ingels, founder of Bjarke Ingels Group, describes the design as a dialogue between El Cosmico's past and future, emphasizing how the 3D-printed structures seem to emerge from the very land they stand on.

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The El Cosmico expansion represents a groundbreaking fusion of technology, architecture and hospitality. By harnessing the power of 3D printing, this project is not only pushing the boundaries of what's possible in hotel design but also paving the way for more sustainable and innovative construction methods. As we look to the future of architecture and travel, the world's first 3D-printed hotel in Marfa, Texas, stands as a testament to human creativity and technological advancement.

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