Leading 3D printing firm Icon has revealed an ambitious competition that aims to revolutionize affordable housing. Named Initiative 99, it will solicit designs for 3D-printed homes that can be ...

ICON was founded in late 2017 and launched during SXSW in March 2018 with the first permitted 3D-printed home in the U.S. That 350-square-foot house took about 48 hours (at 25% speed) to print.

Icon says that the 3D-printed construction will ensure excellent thermal performance and durability in high winds. The starting price for the Wimberly Springs 3D-printed homes is around the "upper ...

Many 3D printed family homes — including Icon's previous builds — are single-story, with the only printed components being its walls. The rest of the house has to be built traditionally.

It takes about two weeks to print a full, 160-bead house. For now, Icon is only 3D printing the walls of its houses. Roofs, windows, doors and insulation are added the old-fashioned way.

ICON revealed the demountable crane-based 3D printer during a talk held as part of the annual SXSW festival in Austin, Phoenix allows ICON to construct multi-storey houses with enclosed systems.