ICON selects winners of 'initiative 99' competition to design 3D printed affordable housing

affordable housing planned for texas

ICON has announced the winners of Phase Two of its Initiative 99 global architecture competition, aimed at reimagining affordable housing solutions that can be constructed for $99,000 or less, especially with the use of large-scale 3D printing. This initiative represents a significant design challenge and comes with a total prize of $1 million across both phases. Two of the award-winning designs have been proposed by Guerin Glass Architects and ConCave, which have been selected to be 3D-printed in Austin.

The two winning designs were selected from the Professional category and have been chosen for actual 3D printing at Mobile Loaves & Fishes’ (MLF) Community First! Village in Austin, Texas. This nonprofit organization supports the local homeless community and is planning to break ground on these innovative homes in early 2025. The project has garnered substantial support, including a $500,000 grant from Wells Fargo, aimed at addressing housing needs in the underhoused community. See designboom’s previous coverage of the competition announcement here!

image © ConCave, courtesy ICON

icon selects two winning designs

Earlier this year, the winners of Initiative 99’s Phase 1 were revealed by the ICON team during a showcase event at SXSW, featuring submissions from over sixty countries. The phase awarded six winners and ten honorable mentions, with prize money distributed from the overall $1 million pool. This initial phase emphasized global participation and diverse approaches to addressing the affordable housing crisis.

Melodie Yashar, ICON’s Vice President of Building Performance and Design, expressed enthusiasm about the evolution of the submissions. ‘The global focus of Phase 1 highlighted significant needs for affordable housing across various regions. In Phase 2, contestants successfully adapted their designs to the specific conditions of Community First! Village,’ she says. Yashar believes these designs contribute valuable ideas that can drive advancements in affordable housing worldwide.

image © ConCave, courtesy ICON

sculptural homes to be 3d printed in marfa’s el cosmico

In addition to the developments at Community First! Village, ICON and Liz Lambert have plans to incorporate winning designs from Initiative 99 into the expansion of El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas (see designboom’s coverage of El Cosmico here). This project will enhance the existing bohemian campground and aims to feature a diverse range of accommodations and amenities, further showcasing the potential of these designs in real-world applications.

Darlene Goins, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation, highlighted the partnership’s significance, stating, ‘ICON’s innovative 3D-printed technology, combined with the imaginative designs from Initiative 99, can set a precedent for the future of safe, high-quality, affordable housing.‘ The commitment from Wells Fargo reflects a broader investment in addressing housing challenges.