The upscale camping resort El Cosmico in Texas is set to expand with 3D-printed sleeping quarters and a pool.
Construction company Icon has announced a partnership with the El Cosmico hotel brand to expand the camping and tourism area in Marfa, Texas (USA). Notably, the sleeping quarters, pool, spa, and utility areas will be 3D-printed using Icon’s technology.
The expansion project for the El Cosmico camping area is expected to break ground in 2024 on a 26.3-hectare site. Meanwhile, the existing location, which covers approximately 8.5 hectares, will add 30-50 more affordable sleeping quarters, also 3D-printed.
The affordable sleeping quarters feature a simple design with a small area that includes a bed. According to Business Insider, these walls take about 4-8 days to print, while larger structures can take up to two weeks.
The resort is designed by the architecture firm BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), featuring soft curves and arches that create a pleasant, nature-friendly ambiance.
Jason Ballard, CEO of Icon, stated that without 3D printing, these curved structures are “nearly impossible to construct without increasing costs tenfold.”
This will also be Icon’s first construction project featuring a pool, spa, and utility areas for guests, including restrooms, a restaurant, and event spaces.
To construct the resort, Icon will deploy five large 3D printers called Vulcan. This equipment can spray layers of a special material developed by the company known as Lavacrete.
“We believe that these new designs can take shape thanks to 3D printing. This project will serve as a clear testament,” Ballard commented.
At the beginning of 2022, Icon completed House Zero, a luxury 3D-printed house in Texas covering an area of approximately 185 square meters. The company has made a significant impression in the rapidly growing 3D printing industry.
Icon is also 3D printing 100 homes at Wolf Ranch, Texas, with a price of about $400,000 each. When completed, this will be the largest 3D-printed residential community ever built.
The rental price for 3D-printed sleeping quarters at El Cosmico has yet to be announced. However, company representatives stated that the service is targeted at customers with deeper pockets.
