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Bricklayers out of work? Construction has begun on the world’s first 3D-printed hotel in the Texas desert, with 43 rooms and 18 residential homes all created by a giant 3D printer

Published 11/10/2024 às 14:03
construction, hotel, 3D printer, bricklayers
Photo: Reproduction

The world’s first 3D-printed hotel is being built in Texas without any construction workers! With 43 rooms and 18 residential homes, this groundbreaking project is using a giant 3D printer

In the vast landscape of the Texas desert, workers have begun a groundbreaking project: the construction of the world’s first 3D-printed hotel. Located near the town of Marfa, El Cosmico will expand to include 43 rooms and 18 residences, all created with the help of a giant 3D printer. Will this mean the end of bricklayers in construction?

This project is yet another example of how technology is revolutionizing the construction industry worldwide. world.

3D printing on a giant scale

construction, hotel, 3D printer, bricklayers
Workers recently broke ground on the new El Cosmico north of Marfa, Texas. 
Photo: ICON

The construction of this hotel in Texas is unconventional, without the use of bricklayers. Unlike traditional construction sites with cranes and scaffolding, El Cosmico is being erected by a huge 3D printer called Vulcan.

This machine, created by robotics and 3D printing company ICON, measures 46,5 feet wide and 15,5 feet tall. Working like a perfect mason, it applies layer by layer of sand-colored material to the hotel’s foundations, creating curved walls that blend seamlessly into the desert environment.

According to Liz Lambert, owner of El Cosmico, the process is similar to how an inkjet printer works, but on a much larger scale.

She said the technology offers unprecedented architectural freedom, allowing the creation of structures with more organic curves and shapes, something impossible with traditional construction methods.I have never been able to build with so little restriction and so much fluidity.“, Lambert explained in an interview.

Collaboration and architectural innovation in the construction of the hotel

construction, hotel, 3D printer, bricklayers
Company executives say the 3D printer allows architects to incorporate interesting features into their designs with fewer restrictions.  
Photo: ICON

The project is the result of a collaboration between ICON, Liz Lambert and the renowned architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group.

The expansion of El Cosmico includes, in addition to the 43 hotel rooms, the construction of 18 residential homes on a 40-acre site. Using 3D printing, it will be possible to create domes, arches and vaults that bring new possibilities to architectural design.

The hotel’s interior models reveal a unique environment, with curvilinear cream-colored walls and rounded wooden surfaces, reflecting the colors and textures of the surrounding desert.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, these new structures will be made with “lavacrete,” a special low-carbon concrete developed by ICON that is pigmented with local Texas materials to blend in with the Marfa landscape.

Economic and technological impact

construction, hotel, 3D printer, bricklayers
The massive 3D printer is 46,5 feet wide and 15,5 feet tall. 
Photo: ICON

Building homes and hotels with 3D printers is nothing new for ICON. Founded in 2018, the company has built homes in Texas and Mexico, including a 100-home project in Georgetown, Texas.

Residents of these properties praised the strength of the walls and the excellent thermal insulation, ideal for the region's intense climate.

In addition to housing projects, ICON is also involved in space ventures. The company recently unveiled Mars Dune Alpha, a 3D-printed environment that simulates conditions on the planet Mars.

This project was developed in collaboration with NASA, which awarded ICON a $57 million contract to explore the feasibility of building structures on the moon using local materials.

Future of El Cosmico and 3D printing technology

Back on Earth, 3D printing technology has significant potential to help solve the housing crisis in the United States.

In 2020, ICON built several homes for Community First! Village, an Austin-based project for people experiencing chronic homelessness. Liz Lambert is also considering including affordable housing for El Cosmico employees as part of the hotel’s future expansion plans.

The new 3D-printed hotel is expected to be completed in 2026, while the current location will remain open until 2025.

Until then, the Marfa desert will continue to be the stage for one of the most innovative and daring ventures in the hospitality sector, showing how the combination of technology and design can transform even the most arid landscapes into havens of modernity and sophistication.

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Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Journalist specializing in a wide range of topics, such as technology, politics, shipbuilding, geopolitics, renewable energy and economics. I have been working since 2015 with prominent publications in major news portals. My degree in Information Technology Management from Faculdade de Petrolina (Facape) adds a unique technical perspective to my analyses and reports. With over 10 thousand articles published in renowned media outlets, I always seek to bring detailed information and relevant insights to the reader. For story suggestions or any questions, please contact me by email at flclucas@hotmail.com.

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