I stayed in Icon’s new 3D-printed luxury home in Austin, TX

The walls of the main residence and its secondary accommodation were printed at the same time in eight days despite the weather and material problems.

The team then spent another five months finishing the rest of the house, such as window installation, wiring and plumbing.

And when it was finished, Icon invited me to spend a night in the three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath new construction…

…and the unique building technology, curved concrete walls, and high-end finishes made House Zero one of the most unique homes I’ve stayed in.

Spending a night at House Zero made me realize that 3D printing houses can be a strategic and functional construction method while producing beautiful and comfortable homes.

Many 3D printing enthusiasts see the technology as a way to alleviate our housing shortage and affordability crisis.

Like House Zero, a house that might take about a year to build “traditionally” can be printed and completed in just a few months…

…enabling homebuilders to build cheaper, faster, and more durable homes using fewer materials and less physical labor.

The technology might be heralded as a way to build more affordable homes faster, but House Zero is far from an example of an economical home.

Source: Initiated, Initiated

It was intended to loosen the range and practicality of Icon’s printing technology, Jason Ballard, co-founder and CEO of Icon, told Insider in an interview.

And like all stereotypical model homes, House Zero is packed with high-end furnishings and finishes that can appeal to even the most discerning visitor.

The rounded walls caught my eye as I first drove past the home in Austin, TX…

A building with this heavily exposed concrete is often associated with brutalist architecture, but nothing about House Zero screamed “brutalism” to me.

The layered lavacrete – Icon’s internal “high strength” concrete – combined with the curved wall design gave House Zero an organic, flowing look.

Until this build, I had never seen a layered sloping wall before. And now I want something similar in my future home.

And it’s not just for aesthetic reasons. The form reinforces the structure of the house while serving as a natural separation from the open space.

“We’re not just going to invent robots, we’re also going to invent architecture,” Ballard said. “And it’s not clear that robotics companies have architecture invention business.”

Curvature aside, the striking layered walls – which were reinforced with steel and insulation – were unlike anything I had seen in a home before.

There was no need for art on the walls – the gray layers naturally became the focal point of the rooms in the house…

…while wooden walls and accents kept the space from appearing too cold and drab.

The first room next to the entrance is the open concept kitchen, living room and dining room.