Much of 3D printed architecture focuses on creating relatively simple, utilitarian structures that appear functional but show little attention to aesthetics. However, leading 3D printing company Icon has teamed up with the prestigious Lake | Flato to create what they hope will be a new breed of homes that combine the benefits of 3D printing technology with the design chops of top companies.

Originally unveiled in 2021, House Zero is located in Austin, Texas and features a modernist ranch style that is not too different from previous Lake|Flato output. The interior decor is a mix of 3D printed curved walls, glass and wood.

It measures approximately 2,000 square feet (185 square meters), spread over one floor, and includes three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, as well as a kitchen and central living room. Windows and doors have been carefully located to frame prime views and maximize natural light within. Additionally, adjacent to the main house is a smaller secondary suite which has a further bedroom and bathroom.

“While the organic nature of 3D-printed concrete and curved walls are new design languages ​​for us, House Zero was still very much in line with the natural connections we seek in our architecture,” said Ashley Heeren, Partner at Lake|Flatto. “The home expresses our shared passions for craftsmanship and performance in an inviting and comfortable family home built using a whole new way of building. It was a pleasure for our team to work with Icon on such an innovative home design and be part of the future of homebuilding.”

As with Icon’s previous projects, the construction process used the company’s own Vulcan 3D printer system and a proprietary blend of cementitious material called Lavacrete. According to Icon, its updated printer can extrude cement in layers at up to 5-10 linear inches (12-25 cm) per second, and is capable of printing houses and structures up to 3,000 square feet ( 278 m²). Once the basic shell of the house was printed, the human builders did everything else, like adding doors, electrical wiring, glazing, and plumbing.

Austin, Texas has become a real boom town for 3D printed architecture thanks in large part to locally based Icon. House Zero follows the development of its 3D-printed home and the unveiling of one-second plans in the city. A company representative told us that the house shown will not be for sale in the immediate future, but if you are in the area and want to see it for yourself, it will be available on tour on the 14th and 15th mars during austin SXSW-Festival.

Source: Icon