Texas-based ICON is a 3D printing company that has rapidly ascended through the architecture world. Founded in 2017, it has a contract with NASA to develop 3D-printed structures on the moon (pictured: a concept rendering). But first, ICON is launching a competition to address one of the building industry's most pressing issues back on Earth: affordable housing.
Texas-based ICON is a 3D printing company that has rapidly ascended through the architecture world. Founded in 2017, it has a contract with NASA to develop 3D-printed structures on the moon (pictured: a concept rendering). But first, ICON is launching a competition to address one of the building industry's most pressing issues back on Earth: affordable housing.
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Pictured, ICON co-founders Alexander Le Roux, Jason Ballard and Evan Loomis pose next to one of the company's Vulcan 3D printing systems in 2021. ICON is launching Initiative 99, a design competition with a prize fund of $1 million, for homes that can be built for $99,000 or less. Ballard described it as "a call to arms for the global architecture and design community."
Pictured, ICON co-founders Alexander Le Roux, Jason Ballard and Evan Loomis pose next to one of the company's Vulcan 3D printing systems in 2021. ICON is launching Initiative 99, a design competition with a prize fund of $1 million, for homes that can be built for $99,000 or less. Ballard described it as "a call to arms for the global architecture and design community."
The Chicon House, completed by ICON in 2018, became the first permitted 3D-printed home in the United States. The walls of the two-bedroom home were printed in 47 hours with ICON's first-generation printer.
The Chicon House, completed by ICON in 2018, became the first permitted 3D-printed home in the United States. The walls of the two-bedroom home were printed in 47 hours with ICON's first-generation printer.
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The East 17th Street Residences, completed in 2021, represent ICON's first 3D-printed community, combining two and four-bedroom houses.
The East 17th Street Residences, completed in 2021, represent ICON's first 3D-printed community, combining two and four-bedroom houses.
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The East 17th Street Residences were designed by Logan Architecture and sold within days of listing in March 2021, according to ICON.
The East 17th Street Residences were designed by Logan Architecture and sold within days of listing in March 2021, according to ICON.
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House Zero in East Austin is a building concept designed with sustainability in mind, according to ICON. The three-bedroom home covers over 2,000 square feet, has a mid-century aesthetic, and has received multiple accolades.
House Zero in East Austin is a building concept designed with sustainability in mind, according to ICON. The three-bedroom home covers over 2,000 square feet, has a mid-century aesthetic, and has received multiple accolades.
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Community First! Village is a six-home ICON project from 2020, created in collaboration with nonprofit Mobile Loaves & Fishes, providing housing for the long-term homeless.
Community First! Village is a six-home ICON project from 2020, created in collaboration with nonprofit Mobile Loaves & Fishes, providing housing for the long-term homeless.
Regan Morton/ICON
ICON's largest project is currently underway north of Austin in the city of Georgetown. Wolf Ranch is a 100-home community built in collaboration with construction company Lennar. Prices for units will start in the mid-$400,000s.
ICON's largest project is currently underway north of Austin in the city of Georgetown. Wolf Ranch is a 100-home community built in collaboration with construction company Lennar. Prices for units will start in the mid-$400,000s.
Lennar/ICON
The homes will cost roughly the median price for a house in the Austin area, according to CEO Jason Ballard. Supporters of 3D-printing say it can speed up construction and reduce labor costs.
The homes will cost roughly the median price for a house in the Austin area, according to CEO Jason Ballard. Supporters of 3D-printing say it can speed up construction and reduce labor costs.
Lennar/ICON
ICON is teaming up with frequent collaborator BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) and hotelier Liz Lambert for a 3D-printed hotel in Marfa, Texas. Concept imagery for El Cosmico was released in March. The 60-acre site will feature a spa, pool, communal facilities and hospitality spaces, as well as guest rooms.
ICON is teaming up with frequent collaborator BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) and hotelier Liz Lambert for a 3D-printed hotel in Marfa, Texas. Concept imagery for El Cosmico was released in March. The 60-acre site will feature a spa, pool, communal facilities and hospitality spaces, as well as guest rooms.
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The hotel's guest room concepts lean into the complex shapes ICON can create with its printing system. "My old joke is we can print you a house in the shape of a Fibonacci spiral," said Ballard. "Of course, if you want the square, we can do the square too."
The hotel's guest room concepts lean into the complex shapes ICON can create with its printing system. "My old joke is we can print you a house in the shape of a Fibonacci spiral," said Ballard. "Of course, if you want the square, we can do the square too."
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Project Olympus is ICON's off-world construction initiative, originating as a collaboration with BIG. Renderings, including this one, were released in 2020, and last year the company was awarded a $57 million contract by NASA to develop its system. ICON is experimenting with printing using lunar regolith (moon dust), melting it with a laser to create a ceramic-like material.
Project Olympus is ICON's off-world construction initiative, originating as a collaboration with BIG. Renderings, including this one, were released in 2020, and last year the company was awarded a $57 million contract by NASA to develop its system. ICON is experimenting with printing using lunar regolith (moon dust), melting it with a laser to create a ceramic-like material.
ICON /Bjarke Ingels Group
Ballard said ICON is trialing parts of its system in a vacuum, and will conduct tests in simulated lunar gravity next, ahead of testing on the moon in 2026 or 2027 (concept rendering pictured). On the moon, horizontal surfaces like roads and landing pads will be created first, before vertical print tests commence, which could enable the construction of hangars and habitats.
Ballard said ICON is trialing parts of its system in a vacuum, and will conduct tests in simulated lunar gravity next, ahead of testing on the moon in 2026 or 2027 (concept rendering pictured). On the moon, horizontal surfaces like roads and landing pads will be created first, before vertical print tests commence, which could enable the construction of hangars and habitats.
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A rendering of Mars Dune Alpha, a concept for Martian surfaces that was devised by ICON and BIG and printed on Earth in 2021 for use in upcoming Mars analog missions.
A rendering of Mars Dune Alpha, a concept for Martian surfaces that was devised by ICON and BIG and printed on Earth in 2021 for use in upcoming Mars analog missions.
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The Vulcan system printed the 1,700 square-foot Martian base inside a hangar at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas in 2021.
The Vulcan system printed the 1,700 square-foot Martian base inside a hangar at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas in 2021.
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The walls of Mars Dune Alpha under construction. The completed base for NASA's Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/chapea/about" target="_blank" target="_blank">CHAPEA</a>) missions is yet to be unveiled. The first of three year-long missions is set to begin in June 2023, simulating a long-term stay on Mars.
The walls of Mars Dune Alpha under construction. The completed base for NASA's Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) missions is yet to be unveiled. The first of three year-long missions is set to begin in June 2023, simulating a long-term stay on Mars.
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