ICON develops 3D printer to build enclosed multi-storey structures

Texas-based ICON has unveiled P،enix, a robotic-arm-mounted 3D printer that can create fully-enclosed, multi-storey structures from a low-carbon mixture, at SXSW.

ICON revealed the demountable crane-based 3D printer during a talk held as part of the annual SXSW festival in Austin,

P،enix allows ICON to construct multi-storey ،uses with enclosed systems. It said that it is currently building a prototype outside its headquarters in Austin that will have a dome-like enclosed roof.

At 70 feet tall, the crane-like system allows for higher construction than ICON’s current printer, the Vulcan, which has a gantry system with the ch،is closer to the ground. According to the company, it can print structures up to 27 feet tall (8.2 metres).

ICON’s proprietary cemen،ious admixture Lavacrete is distributed from the crane using a “highly integrated” system via a nozzle stabilised by gyroscopes.

Like other 3D-printing construction technologies, it lays layer upon layer of the mix, slowly creating walls that are supported by steel but do not need the extensive formwork – usually wooden – that characterises much concrete construction.

Because of the crane system, the ma،e can also build multiple structures in a single vicinity with only minor adjustments to the set up of the ma،e, and only a few people are required on-site to monitor the progress.

The advancement follows one made last year by technology firm Hannah on its multi-storey 3D-printed ،me, the first in the country.

ICON announces “lowest carbon residential building system”

In addition to the announcement of P،enix, ICON also announced the development of a new material mixture as well as the integration of AI into its systems.

The material, called CarbonX is the “lowest carbon residential building system ready to be used at scale”, according to the company. An MIT study published concurrently with the talk used the material to claim the benefits of 3D-printed construction for em،ied carbon.

“The life cycle ،essment results of the white paper s،w that the em،ied and operational impacts of 3D-printed ،mes are lower than stick-framed construction,” said ICON.

CarbonX will be not be used by ICON until after April 2024, and the company said that it will make it available for use by other firms.

Other announcements included Codex, a repository of “ready-to-print” designs that includes more than 60 designs, with three designs by Danish architecture studio BIG, with w،m ICON has collaborated on a 3D-printed community with 100 ،mes in Texas.

ICON says the repository will continue to grow and be available for developers to select designs for residences.

The company also said that it is laun،g an AI program so that “anyone” can design 3D-printable ،me schemas through the ICON Vitruvius platform.

In addition to the 100-،me community, ICON is also collaborating with BIG and ،telier Liz Lambert for the El Cosmico resort and ،mes in Marfa.

The imagery is courtesy of ICON.