ICON Unveils Groundbreaking Construction Innovations at SXSW: Revolutionizing Building with Robotics, AI and Sustainable Materials
Pioneering, large-scale advanced construction 3D printing, ICON was selected as ArchDaily’s 2021 Best New Practices because of its revolutionary technology that advances capabilities in the built environment. THE Texasa startup has just unveiled various toolboxes and products to modernize construction process further away. Dubbed “Domus Ex Machina,” the event featured a series of innovations, such as a AI Architect created for the design and construction of houses, a digital library containing over 60 pre-designed house plans, a new Building material, and a printed robot facilitating multi-story construction. Together, these developments aim to provide a faster, more environmentally friendly way to construct high-quality buildings, affordable housing worldwide.
The first tool, representing a paradigm shift in construction methodology, is Phoenix. ICONThe Phoenix system can print entire building enclosures, including roofs and foundations. This new robotic technology can potentially reduce ICON’s printing costs by producing results that significantly increase speed and scale while reducing setup time and requirements. Currently taking project orders, Phoenix’s offerings range from wall systems to roofs and foundations at different price points. ICON says the price of the building is lower than current estimates. A standard wall system saves the American home up to $25,000. The first technical prototype of the robot has already completed construction of an 8.2 meter high demonstration structure on display at AustinTexas.
CODEX is a digital compilation that includes more than 60 pre-designed housing models plans, through five thematic collections. With an emphasis on speed and affordable housing, CODEX allows developers, builders and owners to work efficiently with ICON. By collaborating with architects around the world, the goal is to make CODEX the world’s most comprehensive digital collection of buildable home designs. Three of the collections were curated by the famous Bjarke Ingels Group, who have worked in collaboration with ICON to design various 3D printed house models in the past.
Related article
From decarbonization to ornamental expression: innovative 3D printed projects from 2023
Marking an important step in terms of respect for the environment construction techniquesCabronX is a low carbon Extrudable/printable concrete mix. Based on a white paper co-written with the MIT Concrete Sustainability Center, CarbonX demonstrates superior life cycle assessment results compared to conventional metal frame buildings. CarbonX is expected to be deployed in the field in April 2024 and will be available to customers and projects outside of ICON’s 3D printing efforts. Research efforts to reduce the carbon impact of CarbonX are ongoing and new formulations are expected to be unveiled in the future.
Designed to be a Powered by AI alternative for the design and construction of houses, Vitruvius aims to combine human input and project specifications in detailed architectural plans, financial estimates and schedules. Now open in beta, Vitruvius claims to speed up the design process by producing floor plans and interior and exterior renderings in minutes, personalized to fit each user’s needs and budgets. ICON expects Vitruvius to create schematic drawings by the end of the year. Subsequent versions will include permit-ready construction documentation and designs, budgets and schedules.
ICON exists in response to the global housing crisis, with the aim of producing 3D printing to produce high-quality homes that are more affordable and quicker to manufacture. Last year, the company has unveiled the first 3D printed house model co-designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group. The house is part of the world’s largest 3D printed house development, currently under construction. In addition, ICON collaborated with Liz Lambert and Bjarke Ingels to rebuild “ElCosmico,” a camping hotel in Marfa, Texas. Scheduled to open this year, the hotel showcases new architectural approaches, including 3D printed domes, vaults and parabolic shapes. Finally, ICON recently won a contract with NASA develop the Olympus construction system in partnership with BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group. The project will help build infrastructure such as landing pads, habitats, capsules and routes on the lunar surface and on Marsusing extrusion-based additive construction technology and local materials like lunar regolith.
