Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The world’s first 3D printed hotel is being constructed in the United States, marking a milestone in architectural innovation. A Texas-based company has embarked on building a 43-story hotel and 18 standalone homes across 24 hectares of land using a giant 3D printer. This printer, which resembles a crane, is meticulously crafting the hotel layer by layer in the vast Texan desert.
According to Reuters, the hotel, named El Cosmico, is being built near Marfa, a small town in Texas. The contractor behind this groundbreaking project is ICON, a 3D printing company headquartered in Austin, Texas, while the design is led by Danish architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG).
The use of 3D printing has allowed for architectural features with unprecedented creativity. It also allows for the construction of architectural features that would normally be too expensive to replicate on a large scale with traditional construction.
“This is the first time I’ve been able to build with so few limits in such a fluid way. How it made the curves, domes, and parabolas, it’s a crazy way to build,” said El Cosmico owner Liz Lambert.
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The 3D printer, named Vulcan, is an engineering marvel, standing at 4.7 meters tall, 14.2 meters wide and weighing 4.75 tons. Its first two creations include two residential units with walls reaching 3.7 meters in height. The machine is monitored by a technician who ensures its robotic arms and hoses function smoothly throughout the construction process.
The material used by the 3D printer is called Lavacrete, a concrete-like substance. While the exact formula remains a trade secret, ICON claims it is engineered for strength, affordability, and optimal performance in 3D printing. ICON CEO Jason Ballard noted that the material is specifically designed to withstand weather conditions.
“The secret is in the mix, which allows us to print continuously,” Ballard said, adding that humidity, temperature, and the sun’s intensity all impact the durability and color of the material.
Aside from the hotel construction, ICON initially started working on a 3D printed housing project near Austin, Texas, which further advancing the possibilities of 3D-printed construction.
As the technology evolves, 3D printing may significantly offers unlimited possibility for the construction industry, presenting both exciting opportunities and challenges for the future of building.
(Raidi/Agung)
