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El Cosmico, the world’s first 3D-printed hotel, is expanding with 43 hotel units and 18 homes in Marfa, Texas. Using ICON’s 3D printing technology, the project allows for unique architectural designs, scheduled for completion by 2026, with room prices ranging from $200 to $450 per night.
El Cosmico, a hotel and campground located on the edges of Marfa, is growing. 43 new hotel units and 18 residential homes are being constructed over 60 acres (24 hectares) using a 3D printer.
It appears similar to a regular 3D printer, but it is as large as a crane and is constructing a hotel in the Texan desert, one layer at a time.
It is the world's first 3D-printed hotel, claims Liz Lambert, the owner of El Cosmico, along with partners ICON and Bjarke Ingels Group. Technology enables unparalleled creativity, says Lambert.
"Most hotels are contained within four walls and a lot of times you are building the same unit over and over and over again," Lambert said. "I've never been able to build with such little constraint and such fluidity ... just the curves, and the domes, and the parabolas. It's a crazy way to build."
According to Lambert, the units may contain architectural elements that would typically be too costly to reproduce in a large-scale manner using traditional building methods.
The initial two units being built have 12-foot (3.7-meter) tall walls and consist of a three-bedroom residential area and a one-room hotel unit. ICON's Vulcan, a 46.5-feet wide 3D printer weighing 4.75 tons, is currently extruding the curvy, beige-hued walls at a height of 15.5 feet.
A print technician monitors Vulcan as its robotic arm and nozzle glide through the work site on a gantry.
The "ink" of this 3D printer is a special cement-based material called Lavacrete, a proprietary mixture designed for strength, affordable scale, and printability. ICON CEO and founder Jason Ballard said workers adjust and blend the ingredients based on weather conditions.
ICON is currently involved in developing a neighbourhood of houses near Austin using 3D printing technology.
3D-printed construction might replace certain skilled labor jobs in the future, according to Milad Bazli, a science and technology lecturer at Charles Darwin University in Australia.
"I think from the social point of view and the effect on the economy in terms of the local jobs, especially in remote areas, that will be one of the challenges that we need to consider when we're going to the 3D printing method," Bazli said.
The completion of the expansion of El Cosmico is scheduled for 2026. The cost per night for the hotel rooms will vary from $200 to $450.
The iconic Dubai Fountain will close for five months starting in May for a major upgrade, enhancing its technology, choreography, and sound system. Visitors can expect a more spectacular show when it returns in October.
Apple is reportedly working on a version of AirPods Pro with integrated cameras, set to launch as early as 2027, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. While the cameras won’t be featured in the upcoming AirPods Pro 3, the new tech aims to enhance AI-driven features and spatial audio integration.
Russian President has invited his U.S. counterpart, along with leaders from many other countries to Moscow in May to attend the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Russians refer to as the "Great Patriotic War."
Public sector strikes are causing major disruptions across Germany, including halted public transport in Frankfurt, as workers demand higher pay and better conditions.
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Belgium’s two largest airports, Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport, have confirmed that no departing passenger flights will operate on February 13 due to a nationwide strike. Cancellations are also possible on arriving flights. Impacted passengers will be notified by their airline.
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Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan take a look at simplifying border crossing procedures for residents to boost travel and tourism between two countries.
Tehran and Dushanbe have formalised a landmark agreement to abolish visa requirements for air travel between their capitals, according to an official statement released by the Iranian Embassy in Tajikistan.
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