beta realities affordable housing with collaborative 3D-printing

beta realities reveals ‘Community First! Residences’ project

Architecture must address not only functional needs but also social, environmental, and technological challenges, which is where Beta Realities comes in. The forward-thinking design firm is at the forefront of this transformation, with their project, the Community First! Residences in Austin, Texas, embodying their original approach by merging cutting-edge technology with a human-centric design philosophy. The company’s 3D-printable, affordable housing initiative represents a bold new direction for residential development, promoting not just sustainability but also fostering community connections. Through a collective design process, Beta Realities enables future homeowners to play an active role in shaping their homes, paving the way for inclusive, adaptive, and personalized living spaces.

Beta Realities’ design for Community First Residencies in Austin, Texas offer a personalized solution to 3D printable housing | all images courtesy of Beta Realities and Morean

affordable solutions through customizable 3d-printed homes

Founded in 2023 by Paul Clemens Bart and Marvin Bratke, Beta Realities has quickly established itself as a transformative force in architecture and design. With studios in Berlin and New York, the firm brings together a diverse, interdisciplinary team that integrates architecture, interior design, product development, and research. Their mission is to challenge traditional boundaries, merging technology and ecology to create spaces that inspire innovation and meet today’s most pressing societal challenges. From office buildings to cultural institutions, their portfolio spans continents and industries, reflecting their commitment to circularity and sustainability. At the heart of their practice is a participatory approach that seeks to empower clients, users, and communities, enabling them to shape spaces that promote connection and positive futures.

Their Community First! Residences project, part of Icon Technologies’ Initiative 99 (see here), is a testament to Beta Realities’ philosophy of collective and personalized design. The project offers affordable housing solutions through customizable 3D-printed homes, where future residents are actively involved in the design process. Beta Realities’ ‘kit of parts’ system allows for each home to be tailored to individual needs, reflecting their vision of a community-built, community-focused living environment. This interactive design process fosters a sense of ownership and connection among residents, encouraging them to form meaningful relationships within the community.

conceived for a collective design approach, Beta Realities’ customizable 3Dprinted homes present a humanistic approach to technology

beta realities creates homes that extend the resident’s identity

One of the most notable features of the Community First! Residences is the Home 99 duplex, designed to blend into the surrounding neighborhood. With four tiny homes arranged in a 360-degree layout, this project encourages interactions through shared spaces like communal gardens and reimagined porches, which act as soft transitions between private and public areas. These intentional elements foster spontaneous social exchanges, shared meals, and community activities, cultivating a strong sense of belonging among residents. By taking cues from the existing Community First Village housing typologies and evolving them into contemporary forms, Beta Realities continues to redefine what modern, inclusive housing can look like.

the project displays opportunities and a customizable feature wall at the porch where greenery and light are embedded in the print

Each home within the project is crafted to tell its own story, reflecting the individual experiences and needs of its residents. The Home 99 duplex, for instance, is imagined with flexibility and accessibility at its core, offering open layouts that can be adapted for cross-functional usage. Prefabricated fit-outs, adaptive furniture, and customizable features such as embedded green walls further personalize each residence, while maximizing the advantages of 3D printing technology. By incorporating features like generous storage, display options, and feature walls that integrate greenery and natural light, the company creates homes that not only feel unique but also serve as extensions of the resident’s identity.

Furthermore, sustainability is embedded in every aspect of the design process. The Community First! Residences employ various climate-responsive strategies, including passive cooling techniques through high ceilings and strategic window placements. Operable screens and setbacks offer privacy while enhancing natural ventilation, and green feature walls cool the exterior through evaporative cooling. These homes also incorporate rainwater collection and centralized plumbing systems, ensuring resource efficiency. By utilizing recyclable materials and emphasizing a co-creation process for easy-to-manufacture furnishings, Beta Realities ensures the longevity and environmental sustainability of each residence.

additional personalization opportunities come with generous embedded interior and exterior storage