Innovative Communities {ICON 3D}

Local companies partner to provide 3D-printed homes for the homeless.

Words by Sam Lauron Photos by Regan Morton Photography

Construction technologies company, ICON, introduced a series of 3D-printed homes at Community First! Village, the master-planned community that provides affordable housing for the homeless as part of an ongoing initiative.

Using the Vulcan II 3D printer that utilizes robotic technology and a proprietary concrete called Lavacrete, ICON printed three homes simultaneously on-site at the village. Each 400-square foot home includes one bedroom, one bath, a full kitchen, a living room, and a porch. The most notable quality of the homes, however, is their affordable, yet resilient, construction that has never before been used for housing. When individuals begin moving in, they will make history as the first people to live in 3D-printed homes in the U.S.

“Vulnerable populations like the homeless are never among the first to access leading-edge anything,” says Alan Graham, founder and CEO of Mobile Loaves & Fishes. “But now here in Austin, Texas, they’re among the first in line who will be living in some of the most unique homes ever built—and we think that’s a beautiful thing.”

ICON first made waves in 2018 when the startup constructed the world’s first 3D home in an impressive 48 hours. What’s more, construction of the 350-square foot house cost only $10,000 (this doesn’t include windows, doors, or a roof)–further reinforcing the 3D-printed home as a solution for the affordable housing crisis.

“We need a radical rethinking in the way that we approach solving vexing issues in our society like homelessness,” says Jason Ballard, co-founder and CEO of ICON. “At the end of the day, this is all about people and the dignity of human beings.”

ICON and Mobile Loaves & Fishes launched their partnership when ICON 3D-printed a Welcome Center at Phase II of the community. The latest 3D-printed homes are also located on Phase II of the property which, once completed, will be able to house 480 formerly homeless individuals—about 40% of Austin’s homeless population.

Mobile Loaves & Fishes has been serving the homeless community since 1998. Their programs include Truck Ministry which provides free meals, Community Works which provides work opportunities, and Community First! Village, the 51-acre master planned neighborhood that provides permanent affordable housing.

While ICON and Mobile Loaves & Fishes are at the center of this housing solution, there were several local companies who also had a hand in the project. Cielo Property Group, who commissioned one of ICON’s printers to be dedicated to the city of Austin, helped fund the 3D-printed homes at Community First! Village. The interiors of the homes were sponsored by DEN Property Group and designed by interior designer, Claire Zinnecker. Logan Architecture provided architecture designs, as they do for all of ICON’s 3D printing projects, and Franklin Alan provided finishings.