The World’s First 3D-Printed Hotel is Being Built in the Texas Desert

After its earlier reveal this year, leading 3D-printed architecture company Icon is now constructing the ambitious El Cosmico campground hotel in the Texas desert. Touted as the world’s first 3D-printed hotel, it will feature camping areas, vacation homes, shared amenities, and some permanent residences designed by renowned architects that will also be available for purchase.

Developed in collaboration with the renowned Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), El Cosmico is an extensive expansion and reimagining of the existing El Cosmico campground, located on a 60-acre (24.3-hectare) site just outside Marfa.

Curvilinear Designs and Communal Spaces

The project will feature beautifully curved, dome-topped vacation residences inspired by the surrounding landscape, along with tent camping areas, a central swimming pool, and shared facilities.

In addition, there will be permanent homes designed by BIG, offering up to four bedrooms with sweeping views of the local scenery. These homes will be available for purchase, starting at a price of $2.29 million. There will also be affordable 3D-printed housing options for the local community, some of which will be selected through a global design competition organized by Icon.

A Vision for El Cosmico

“Our design for the new El Cosmico reflects a dialogue between its past and future,” says Bjarke Ingels, head of BIG.

“By exploring the geometric possibilities of Icon’s 3D-printed construction, we have envisioned fluid, curvilinear forms that embrace the freedom of design in the vast desert. Utilizing the sand, soil, and colors of the region as our printing medium, these circular structures appear to rise organically from the very land they inhabit. We are honored to collaborate with [El Cosmico founder] Liz Lambert in redefining desert luxury as something distilled to its essence: raw, authentic, and in harmony with the environment.”

The construction utilizes Icon’s Vulcan 3D-printing system, which was also employed in the Wolf Ranch and Wimberly Springs projects.

However, this system consists of large 3D printers operated by human supervisors. Each printer extrudes a proprietary cement-like mixture known as Lavacrete from a nozzle in layers to create the basic structure of the residences. After the printing is complete, human builders will finish the buildings by adding roofs, wiring, windows, and other necessary features.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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