ICON, New Story Print Austin Home in 24 Hours, Eye Salvadoran Village

Insider Tech

By cutting construction time to under 24 hours and costs toward $4,000, automated 3D printing enables scalable, permitted housing for impoverished communities worldwide.

AI-assisted summary of 3D-Printed Home Can Be Constructed For Under $4,000 — original source. Check the original for full context.

Source published: 2018-03-24

Key ideas

Housing charity New Story and construction tech firm ICON have partnered to 3D-print homes in under 24 hours, aiming for an ultimate target cost of $4,000 per unit. (0:01)
A 650-square-foot prototype built in Austin, Texas, marks the first permitted 3D-printed residential home constructed in the United States. (2:15)
While automated 3D printers extrude the structural mortar walls layer by layer, human workers complete the build by installing doors, windows, plumbing, and electrical wiring. (0:01)
Following successful domestic proof-of-concept testing, the partnership's second phase will construct an entire community of 3D-printed homes in El Salvador. (2:15)

Detailed notes

## Background Published by Insider Tech on YouTube on March 24, 2018, this video covers a revolutionary housing initiative developed by charity New Story and construction tech firm ICON. The description outlines their plan to end global homelessness by 3D-printing durable homes in under 24 hours for as little as $4,000, starting with an Austin prototype before expanding to El Salvador.

## TL;DR New Story and ICON have teamed up to address global homelessness by pioneering automated 3D-printed housing. Demonstrating their approach with a 650-square-foot permitted prototype in Austin, Texas, the system prints layered mortar walls in under 24 hours while human laborers install doors, windows, plumbing, and electrical wiring. With the technology serving as an office to test material durability, the organizations plan to roll out phase two by printing an entire community of homes for impoverished families in El Salvador.

## Atmosphere & style The presentation blends forward-looking optimism with a grounded humanitarian purpose, alternating between cutting-edge construction technology and heartfelt testimony about basic human dignity. Alexandria Lafci and Evan Loomis deliver their insights with earnest conviction, underscoring how transformative something as simple as a locking door can be for vulnerable families. Watching the steady extrusion of mortar feels methodical and futuristic, generating an inspiring, solution-oriented mood that frames technological innovation as a tangible answer to poverty.

## Bulletin - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=1s) Housing charity New Story and construction tech firm ICON have partnered to 3D-print homes in under 24 hours, aiming for an ultimate target cost of $4,000 per unit. - [02:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=135s) A 650-square-foot prototype built in Austin, Texas, marks the first permitted 3D-printed residential home constructed in the United States. - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=1s) While automated 3D printers extrude the structural mortar walls layer by layer, human workers complete the build by installing doors, windows, plumbing, and electrical wiring. - [02:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=135s) Following successful domestic proof-of-concept testing, the partnership's second phase will construct an entire community of 3D-printed homes in El Salvador.

## Key takeaways - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=1s) New Story and ICON have teamed up with the broader humanitarian mission of eradicating global homelessness through rapid 3D printing. - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=1s) The project's target specifications aim to cut typical construction costs in half, achieving a sub-24-hour print time at roughly $4,000 per structure. - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=1s) Access to sturdy walls and lockable doors provides critical safety and stability that radically transforms the lives of vulnerable families. - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=1s) The 650-square-foot Austin prototype includes a living room, a dedicated office space, one bedroom, and a full bathroom. - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=1s) The printing process extrudes specialized mortar layer by layer to rapidly build durable exterior and interior structural envelopes. - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=1s) Human trades remain essential to the hybrid workflow, handling windows, doors, electrical routing, and plumbing installations. - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=1s) ICON staff use the initial Austin structure as an operating office to continually test and evaluate real-world structural durability. - [02:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=135s) Phase One established proof of concept by successfully meeting official municipal building codes and securing standard residential permits in the United States. - [02:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=135s) Evan Loomis emphasizes that validating the technology domestically was designed as a stepping stone toward solving severe housing deficits in the developing world. - [02:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=135s) Phase Two transitions the technology into large-scale deployment by printing a complete village for families in El Salvador.

## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=1s) The Human Impact of Safe, 3D-Printed Housing

A breakthrough partnership between housing charity New Story and construction technology company ICON aims to tackle global homelessness by rethinking how shelters are built. Using automated 3D printing technology, the initiative focuses on creating sturdy, dignified homes in under 24 hours while driving production costs down toward $4,000 per structure. For vulnerable families living in extreme poverty and unsafe environments, the transition to a permanent structure represents a profound change in their daily security and long-term outlook.

Alexandria Lafci highlights the basic elements of shelter that many people overlook, explaining: “So having strong, sturdy walls, having a door that we can close at night — it's something that we take for granted. Being able to lock our door and be safe. For many of these families, for years, sometimes even a lifetime, they don't have that opportunity to have a safe shelter. So when they move into a New Story community, when they move into a safe home, families lives are transformed.”

- **Core mission:** Eradicating global homelessness through rapid, ultra-low-cost 3D-printed construction. - **Target build specifications:** A complete home printed in less than 24 hours for approximately $4,000. - **Austin, Texas prototype:** A 650-square-foot model featuring a living room, a small office space, one bedroom, and one bathroom, with walls built by extruding mortar layer by layer. - **Human labor integration:** While the structural mortar envelope is printed, human workers step in to install windows, doors, electrical wiring, and plumbing. - **Durability testing:** ICON staff actively utilize the initial Austin structure as an office space to monitor structural performance and material wear over time.

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Construction and Deployment Process accDescr: Flowchart showing the steps from automated 3D printing to field deployment in El Salvador. subgraph Printing["Automated Printing"] A["3D Printer"] -->|"extrudes layer by layer"| B["Mortar Walls & Envelope"] end subgraph Finishing["Manual Finishing"] B --> C["Human Labor Integration"] C --> D["Windows, Doors, Plumbing & Electric"] end subgraph Deployment["Phased Deployment"] D --> E["Phase 1: Austin, TX Permitted Prototype"] E --> F["Phase 2: Full Community in El Salvador"] end ```

[02:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=135s) Proof of Concept and Expansion to El Salvador

The initial Austin build serves as the critical proof of concept for ICON and New Story, demonstrating that a 3D-printed residential structure can meet official building standards and secure proper municipal permits in the United States. With the hardware and construction process validated, the focus immediately shifts from domestic testing to large-scale deployment in regions facing severe housing deficits.

Evan Loomis outlines the capabilities of their technology and the company's ultimate humanitarian objective: “Our first product is a 3D printer that can print a house in 24 hours for half the cost. Phase one for New Story and for ICON is a proof of concept house and the good news is we've done it. We printed the first home in the United States that's going to be permitted and for us, this is just the beginning. The real kind of home run for us is to be able to do what we've done here in Austin, Texas in the developing world and we're doing that in what we call phase two which is in El Salvador. We are going to be printing an entire village for people that don't have homes.”

- **Permitting milestone:** Marked the first permitted 3D-printed home constructed in the United States. - **Cost reduction target:** Cuts typical construction expenses by approximately half compared to standard methods. - **Phase two rollout:** Scaling the printing technology to construct an entire village of affordable homes for families in El Salvador.

## Notable quotes > [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I&t=1s) So having strong, sturdy walls, having a door that we can close at night — it's something that we take for granted. — Alexandria Lafci

## Mentioned Alexandria Lafci, Austin, Texas, El Salvador, Evan Loomis, ICON, Insider Tech, New Story

## Video description A home like this can be built in less than 24 hours at a cost of only $4,000. The secret? 3D printing. And they could help families living in poverty and unsafe conditions. New Story, a housing charity organization, and ICON, a construction tech company, have partnered together. Their goal is to end global homelessness.

Alexandria Lafci: So having strong, sturdy walls, having a door that we can close at night — it's something that we take for granted. Being able to lock our door and be safe. For many of these families, for years, sometimes even a lifetime, they don't have that opportunity to have a safe shelter. So when they move into a New Story community, when they move into a safe home, families lives are transformed.

An entire community of these 3D printed homes will be constructed in El Salvador. The ultimate goal is to get costs down to $4,000 per house with a build time of fewer than 24 hours.

This prototype house was built in Austin, TX. The home measures 650 square feet. Mortar was printed layer by layer. Human workers installed windows, doors, plumbing, and electrical systems. Here's what's inside: A living room. Small office space. One bedroom. One bathroom. ICON staff will use the home as an office to test the durability.

Evan Loomis: Our first product is a 3D printer that can print a house in 24 hours for half the cost. Phase one for News Story and for ICON is a proof of concept house and the good news is we've done it. We printed the first home in the United States that's going to be permitted and for us, this is just the beginning. The real kind of home run for us is to be able to do what we've done here in Austin, Texas in the developing world and we're doing that in what we call phase two which is in El Salvador. We are going to be printing an entire village for people that don't have homes.

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[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzS2FZoB-I)

中文简报

ICON与New Story在24小时内3D打印奥斯汀住宅，放眼萨尔瓦多村庄通过将建造时间缩短至24小时以内、成本降至接近4,000美元，自动化3D打印技术能够为全球贫困社区提供规模化、获许可的住房。 New Story与ICON携手开创自动化3D打印住房技术，以应对全球无家可归问题。他们在得克萨斯州奥斯汀展示了一座650平方英尺且获许可的原型屋，该系统在不到24小时内逐层打印出砂浆墙体，同时由人工安装门窗、管道和电线。由于该房屋目前用作办公室以测试材料耐用性，这两家机构计划推进第二阶段，为萨尔瓦多的贫困家庭打印整个社区的住宅。住房慈善机构New Story与建筑科技公司ICON合作，在不到24小时内3D打印房屋，最终目标是将单套成本降至4,000美元。 (0:01) 在得克萨斯州奥斯汀建造的一座650平方英尺原型屋，标志着全美首栋建造完成且获许可的3D打印住宅。 (2:15) 在自动化3D打印机逐层挤出结构砂浆墙体的同时，人工工人通过安装门窗、水暖和电线来完成房屋建造。 (0:01) 在本土概念验证测试成功后，该合作项目的第二阶段将在萨尔瓦多建造一整个3D打印住宅社区。 (2:15)

Reading summary

Housing charity New Story and construction technology company ICON have partnered to address global homelessness by developing automated 3D printing methods capable of producing durable homes in under 24 hours for roughly $4,000. Automated Mortar Printing and Hybrid Construction (0:01) The construction method combines automated additive manufacturing with traditional manual finishing. An industrial 3D printer extrudes mortar layer by layer to erect the core walls and structural envelope of the building. Once the printed envelope is complete, human workers install essential fixtures, including windows, doors, plumbing, and electrical wiring. To validate the concept, the team built a 650-square-foot prototype in Austin, Texas, containing a living room, office nook, one bedroom, and one bathroom. The structure serves as both an active workspace for ICON staff to monitor long-term material wear and structural integrity, and as an operational demonstration of how automation can accelerate the build timeline while reducing material costs. Regulatory Proof and Humanitarian Deployment in El Salvador (2:15) The Austin build achieved a key regulatory benchmark by becoming the first permitted 3D-printed residence in the United States, demonstrating that the technique complies with municipal building codes. According to ICON co-founder Evan Loomis, the printer cuts standard construction expenses by approximately 50 percent, creating a viable path toward the $4,000 production target. While the Austin house served as a domestic proof of concept, the initiative's primary objective is international humanitarian aid. New Story co-founder Alexandria Lafci notes that basic amenities like sturdy walls and locking doors provide essential safety that impoverished families frequently go without for lifetimes. Under 'Phase Two' of the project, the partners plan to deploy the hardware to El Salvador to print an entire village for unhoused families. Although the Austin prototype proved that 3D-printed mortar can meet official US permitting standards, the technology's ultimate humanitarian viability relies on successfully scaling hardware operations and field logistics to print full communities in developing regions like El Salvador.

精炼阅读摘要

住房慈善机构 New Story 与建筑科技公司 ICON 合作研发自动化 3D 打印技术，目标是在 24 小时内以约 4,000 美元的低成本建造坚固居所，以此缓解全球贫困家庭的住房危机。双方已在得克萨斯州奥斯汀完成首座合法获批的原型住宅，并计划将该技术推广至萨尔瓦多进行整村规模化建设。自动化打印与人工协同的技术模式 (0:01) 该项目的建造流程结合了自动化机械挤压与传统人工装配。在得克萨斯州奥斯汀建造的原型房屋面积为 650 平方英尺，涵盖客厅、小型办公区、一间卧室和一间浴室。其主体外壳通过 3D 打印机逐层挤出砂浆快速成型，耗时可控制在 24 小时以内，据合作团队测算其成本相比传统建造方式可降低约一半。在打印设备完成砂浆墙体等主体结构后，由建筑工人进场安装窗户、门套、电气管线以及给排水管道。为了验证建筑的结构性能与材料抗老化表现，ICON 团队目前直接将奥斯汀的这座原型房屋用作日常办公场所，进行长期的耐用度监测与数据收集。合规验证与萨尔瓦多村庄建设计划 (2:15) 奥斯汀原型项目的核心成果在于成功取得了美国官方建筑许可证，成为美国境内首座通过正规许可审批的 3D 打印住宅，证实了该技术能够满足严格的建筑法规与安全标准。New Story 联合创始人 Alexandria Lafci 指出，拥有可以上锁的坚固门窗对长期生活在极度贫困与不安全环境中的家庭具有根本性的改变。ICON 联合创始人 Evan Loomis 表示，完成奥斯汀的合规原型是第一阶段的概念验证，而团队的核心目标是将经验移植到发展中国家。第二阶段计划将在萨尔瓦多部署打印设备，为当地无房居民建造一整个由 3D 打印房屋组成的完整社区。该技术验证了 3D 打印在极速成型与缩减建造成本方面的可行性，但从单体许可样本转向萨尔瓦多等地的整村落成，仍需在真实的海外施工环境与长期使用中检验其规模化交付能力与结构耐久度。

Source quotes

[0:01] Alexandria Lafci: So having strong, sturdy walls, having a door that we can close at night — it's something that we take for granted.

Original transcript

[0:01] [Music] [0:44] so having strong sturdy walls having a [0:47] door that we can close at night it's [0:49] something that we take for granted being [0:50] able to lock our door and be safe for [0:53] many of these families for years [0:55] sometimes even a lifetime they don't [0:57] have that opportunity to have a safe [0:59] shelter so when they move into a new [1:01] story community when they move into a [1:02] safe home [1:03] family's lives are transformed [1:06] [Music] [1:19] [Applause] [1:20] [Music] [1:48] [Applause] [1:54] [Music] [2:12] [Applause] [2:13] [Music] [2:14] [Applause] [2:15] [Music] [2:20] our first product is a 3d printer that [2:23] can print a house in 24 hours for half [2:25] the cost phase 1 for news story and for [2:29] icon is a proof-of-concept house and the [2:31] good news is we've done it we printed [2:33] the first home in the United States [2:36] that's going to be permitted and for us [2:37] this is just the beginning [2:39] that the real kind of home run for us is [2:41] to be able to do what we've done here in [2:43] Austin Texas in the developing world and [2:44] we're doing that in what we call phase 2 [2:46] which is in El Salvador we are going to [2:48] be printing an entire village for people [2:50] that don't have homes [2:51] [Music]