Austin could soon be home to 3D printed houses, if one company showing its model at South By Southwest is able to work with the city to get approval. The home at SXSW is the first permitted 3D printed house in the country.

The Austin-based startup ICON plans to print 100 homes in El Salvador next year, and wants the creations to be part of the solution for communities with major housing needs, according to Alex Le Roux, ICON CEO and one of the co-founders. 

“We have a lot of plans to build in Austin, as well,” Le Roux said. “We think the need for 3D printed homes is just as present here in Austin, as it is in El Salvador.”

It currently costs about $10,000 to print a 650-square-foot single story house using cement. The process takes between 12 and 24 hours, according to one of ICON’s founders, Jason Ballard.

“For this venture to succeed, they have to be the best houses,” Ballard said.

In the future, the company hopes to reduce the costs of building to closer to $4,000 per house.

Leave your comment on the story below: