Sunday Homes at El Cosmico | A 3D printed hotel in Marfa Texas
Sunday Homes at El Cosmico - Exterior hotel
Sunday Homes at El Cosmico - Amenities Bathhouse
Sunday Homes at El Cosmico - Hotel pool
Sunday Homes at El Cosmico - 4Bedroom exterior
Sunday Homes at El Cosmico - 4Bedroom exterior
March 2023 hotelier Liz Lambert announced the arrival of ‘Sunday Homes at El Cosmico’. A 3D printed hotel and homes on the camping grounds of ‘El Cosmico’ in Marfa, Texas. A collaboration with architects BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group and ICON, which specialises in advanced building technologies and is a pioneer in large-scale 3D printing. In much of the press, the plans are described as if it were designed for on the moon and Mars. This is because ICON also has a contract with NASA for the first interplanetary houses there.
3 minutes read
El Cosmico
Currently, ‘El Cosmico’ is a unique 21-hectare camping hotel in Marfa. Hotelier and owner Liz Lambert wants to reshape it and create space for a 3D printed hotel and homes. In addition, the site will be expanded to 60 hectares. For this, BIG and ICON developed a completely new architectural approach made possible by large-scale 3D printing. Think buildings with domes, arches, vaults and parabolic shapes. An innovative development of houses, hotel rooms, a swimming pool, a spa and shared communal facilities.
Revolutionary construction for Sunday Homes at El Cosmico
At Sunday Homes et El Cosmico, launching in 2024, they continue to celebrate the creative culture and minimalist natural environment of the Marfa landscape. “I have had a vision for the evolution of El Cosmico for many years that includes several spaces that add to the experience both for guests and locals – a pool, a hammam, and more space for art and skills-building workshops,” said Liz Lambert. “In collaborating with the revolutionary thinkers at BIG and ICON, not only do I get to fulfill this dream, but we get to do it using this incredible 3D printing technology that marries the oldest principles of raw earth-based building with a futuristic technology that works more quickly, sustainably and efficiently than modern construction. What’s more, the innovation and beauty of the types of structures we can build extends far beyond the current building possibilities. It’s fitting that ICON has a contract with NASA to build the first dwellings on the moon and on Mars. I’m excited that we get to explore their incredible work right here in our own little cosmic landscape under the stars in far West Texas.”
Sunday Homes at El Cosmico | Unique Design with 3D printing
The design for the expansion and re-imagination of the Sunday Homes at El Cosmico hotel and housing is informed by this unique connection between the high desert landscape and cosmic organizations. The new hotel and homes feature organic curves and domes, a primordial architectural language that can only be achieved by 3D-printing. ICON’s technology excels at creating soft shapes and curved surfaces, making it possible to bring this design vision to life. The project provides a natural continuation of unique experiences, building on El Cosmico’s legacy at the intersection of art, nature and hospitality in Marfa, TX. Another facet of the project will be to assess the opportunity to 3D-print affordable housing in Marfa to serve the evolving needs of the town.
Check out the video of the idea and technique behind the Sunday Homes at El Cosmico. The text continues below the video.
Collaboration El Cosmico – BIG – ICON
“Our collaboration with El Cosmico and ICON has allowed us to pursue the formal and material possibilities of cutting edge 3D-printed construction untethered by the traditional limitations of a conventional site or client,” said Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Creative Director, BIG. “Liz Lambert’s legacy for reimagining hospitality and her pioneering of a contemporary Texan aesthetic combined with the minimalistic nature and culture, art and landscape of Marfa has been the perfect fit to pursue a new architectural vernacular language for El Cosmico in Marfa. Organic shapes, Euclidian circular geometries and a color palette born from the local terroir makes El Cosmico feel as if literally erected from the site it stands on.”
The collection of the BIG-designed two, three and four bedroom homes feature expansive views of the Davis Mountains and range from 1,200 sq. ft to 2,200 sq. ft. Reservations will begin Summer 2023. To sign up to be the first to hear when reservations open, visit this website.
“The truly unique and divergent architectures made possible by 3D printing are really just beginning,” said Jason Ballard, co-founder and CEO of ICON. “One of the great joys of ICON is putting our technology into the hands of great creatives and seeing what possibilities emerge. The collaboration with Liz and Bjarke is a total dream, and it’s a tremendous honor for us to join them at the forefront of design and architecture. Liz is truly the Queen of Cool and one of the national treasures of Texas. It is incredible to help her cosmic imaginings become earthly reality.”
In 2016 we wrote about the 3D printed conference venue from the Slaapfabriek in the Netherlands.
Website: Sunday Homes at El Cosmico - BIG - ICON - El Cosmico
