beta realities designs 3D printed social housing with ICON

beta realities’ is one of the winners for icon initative 99

Beta Realities‘ proposal for a scalable and on-demand 3D printed social housing platform, called Collective Parts, is one of the winners of the ICON Initiative 99. Launched in 2023, the competition aims to address the global housing crisis by providing high-quality, affordable, and individually catered homes faster. The solution combines the power of construction-scale 3D printing with a software approach to planning that integrates the homeowners into the collective process.

all images courtesy of Beta Realities

Working together with ICON, a provider of 3D-printed home solutions, Beta Realities‘ combination of user-friendly design software and a kit of parts presents a powerful platform for change in the building industry, rather than just a one-off design. The proposal transforms the planning, production, and construction chain with a more participatory approach to affordable architecture as well as neighborhoods that focus on the needs of their users.

Beta Realities’ Collective Parts is one of the winners of the ICON Initiative 99 competition

Collective Parts enable flexible neighborhood layouts to be created on-demand, within set timeframes and budgets. It places the planning of beautiful homes directly into the hands of future residents, empowering community involvement and engagement. This integrated end-to-end process commences with the initial building design, where functional and intelligent objects are designed instead of preconfigured homes.

Collective Parts proposes a scalable 3D printed social housing platform to address the global housing crisis

beta realities’ software approach to architecture

Three components are integral to provide custom 3D printed solutions for affordable buildings and neighborhoods that focus on the needs of their users. Paul C. Bart, founding partner of Beta Realities, is working on digital solutions to architecture: ‘to react to newly arising challenges of the housing market, Collective Parts is conceived as an interactive planning platform, using machine learning and state-of-the-art computation to anticipate user flows, changes in operations and material life cycles. We generate highly flexible interior layouts, based on modular building blocks.‘

the platform transforms the planning, production, and construction chain with a more participatory approach

The first component, a flexible kit of parts, enables future homeowners to easily select suitable and affordable building parts through user-friendly custom software. This seamless software assists in the selection of appropriate building parts, compiling them into customizable options for homes. Users can plan, decide, and explore numerous design possibilities, validating and optimizing their choices.

By designing functional objects instead of preconfigured homes, the build saves materials and harnesses the power of AI Assisted Planning Software to create efficient and adequate layouts. Users have the freedom to select various densities and alignments for their houses within a neighborhood setup. The software generates fully engineered multi-family homes, complete with area schedules, floor plans, cost estimates, and embodied carbon calculations.

Beta Realities’ integrated software and Kit-of-Part approach ensure meticulous control over every aspect of the building’s lifecycle. Supply chain automation and quality adherence are guaranteed. The software feeds fabrication information directly to 3D printers on-site for Automated Construction, revolutionizing on-demand housing. Prefabricated fitouts with a healthy material palette get installed directly on site.

Collective Parts enable flexible neighborhood layouts to be created on-demand with set timeframes and budgets

scalable communities on-demand

From shape and size to design and appearance, all elements of Collective Parts are customizable and deployable based on the customer’s preferences and budget. Furthermore, embedded adaptive furniture for both interior and exterior spaces maximize the advantages of individual 3D printing. By creating service-oriented products, Collective Parts offer the potential for brand collaborations and new circular business models. The software can include seasonal offerings, continuous updates, and curated collections, unlocking unparalleled benefits for partners and future residents.

functional objects are designed instead of preconfigured homes at the start of the integrated end-to-end process

Beta Realities is testing the capabilities of Collective Parts, as one of the winners of the ICON Initiative 99 competition. With a design specified for a community in Austin, Texas, the US city is serving as proofing ground for a worldwide scaling strategy. By digitally transforming the construction industry, starting from planning to in-situ production, the concept aims to deliver superior quality, healthier, sustainable, and affordable living experiences.

from shape and size to design and appearance, elements are customizable for the customer’s style and budget

embedded adaptive furniture for both interior and exterior spaces can also be 3D printed for homeowners

Austin, Texas, USA is serving as proofing ground for a worldwide scaling strategy for Collective Parts

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project info:

designer: Beta Realities

platform: Collective Parts

client: Icon Technology Inc.

location: Austin, Texas, USA

program: Residential, Social Housing

visualization: Yoshi Render, Morean

video animation: Morean