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World's first 3D-printed hotel takes shape in Texas desert

World's first 3D-printed hotel takes shape in Texas desert

28th October, 2024

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Photo Caption->  An aerial view of the 3D-printed unit at El Cosmico campground and hotel taking shape in Marfa, Texas; Pic copyright - Evan Garcia / Reuters file
Pic Link -> World's first 3D-printed hotel takes shape in Texas (nbcnews.com)

El Cosmico, a hotel and campground located on the outskirts of Marfa, Texas, United States is making history with the construction of the world’s first 3D-printed hotel. The ambitious project involves building 43 hotel units and 18 residential homes across 40 acres using cutting-edge 3D printing technology, a collaboration between El Cosmico owner Liz Lambert, Austin-based 3D printing company ICON, and architects from Bjarke Ingels Group.

Unlike conventional hotels, where construction is typically limited by repetitive, standardized designs, Lambert sees 3D printing as an opportunity for unprecedented creativity. 


“Most hotels are contained within four walls, but I’ve never been able to build with such little constraint and such fluidity,” Lambert said. 
The technology allows for complex architectural features like curves, domes, and parabolas that would be too costly to reproduce on a large scale using traditional methods.


ICON’s Vulcan printer, a massive 46.5-foot-wide machine weighing 4.75 tons, is responsible for piping out the curvy walls of the first two units under construction: a three-bedroom residential space and a single-room hotel unit. These 12-foot-high, single-story structures are being built with Lavacrete, a special cement-based material designed for durability and scalability. ICON CEO Jason Ballard highlighted the importance of weather-dependent adjustments to the mixture, ensuring consistent print quality.


While 3D printing offers innovative solutions for the hospitality industry, there are concerns about its impact on the workforce. According to Milad Bazli, a science and technology lecturer at Charles Darwin University, 3D-printed construction could potentially displace skilled labor in remote areas.
El Cosmico's 3D-printed expansion is set to be completed by 2026, with hotel rates expected to range from $200 to $450 per night.

Read complete article at NBC NEWS

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