03.13.2024

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Today’s Forecast

Welcome to the future

Austin-based ICON announces additional 3D-printed homes at Community First! Village

A robotic arm prints a flow of "lavacrete" over a large, wavy structure.

ICON’s new printing tool, Phoenix, can print buildings as tall as 27 ft. | Photo provided by ICON

Community First! Village will receive a slate of new 3D-printed homes, Austin-based ICON Technology announced at SXSW yesterday.

The nationally recognized 3D-printing construction company partnered with Wells Fargo, which will fund a $500,000 grant for new construction at the east Austin community for people exiting homelessness.

The homes will be selected from winning designs from ICON’s Initiative 99, which kicked off last year with a challenge for architects to design 3D-printed homes at a cost of $99,000 or less. Community First! already contains a collection of 400-sqft homes by ICON.

So, how does it work?

ICON currently “prints” walls using patented “lavacrete.” The company’s walls are termite-proof, flood- and mold-resistant, and (as of this year) are cheaper to produce, at a cost as low as $25 per sqft, compared to the national average of $35 per sqft.

The company is also behind the Long Center’s 3D-printed stage and the world’s first and largest 3D-printed neighborhood.

ATX_Vitruvius — ICON’s new AI platform, Vitruvius, can generate home designs based on a variety of features.
|
Rendering generated by Vitruvius, provided by ICON

But wait, there’s more.

ICON frequently makes major announcements at SXSW, and this year is no different. Yesterday, the business also unveiled a suite of new products:

CarbonX | The new printable material, CEO Jason Ballard said, is now the lowest-carbon form of construction that can be deployed at scale, while also improving fire and wind protection.
Phoenix | This printing tool allows ICON to build two-story buildings — up to 24,000 sqft and 27 ft tall — and 3D-print roofs and foundations, instead of just walls.
CODEX | Aimed at reducing costs by cutting out design lift, this is a digital catalog of home designs sorted into collections like fire protection, storm protection, and Initiative 99 winning designs. Architects with designs featured in the CODEX will receive compensation when their design is used.
Vitruvius | The AI home designer will allow users to generate floor plans and renderings based on their own guidance and budgets.

Events

Wednesday, March 13

THRX Fest SXSW | Wednesday, March 13 | 12-7 p.m. | 607 Trinity St., Austin | $15-$600 | THRX Cannabis Co. will showcase collaborations with independent artists at this pop-up featuring live performances.
“Wicked” | Now-Sunday, March 31 | Times vary | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $53-$203 | Watch this Broadway sensation following what happened in the Land of Oz before Dorothy arrived.

Thursday, March 14

Austin Music Love Fest | Thursday, March 14 | 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. | Thicket Food Park, 7800 S. 1st St., Austin | Free | Stop by the south Austin food truck park to hear songwriters perform all day long.

Friday, March 15

The Open Disc Golf Championship | Friday, March 15-Sunday, March 17 | 7:30 a.m. | The Open Course at Harvey Penick, 5501 Ed Bluestein Blvd., Austin | $10-$500 | Watch some of the best disc golfers in the world compete for the win.

Saturday, March 16

Bluey’s Big Play | Saturday, March 16-Sunday, March 17 | Times vary | The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | $30-$125 | The Australian children’s television show will come to life as puppets onstage.

Sunday, March 17

Solstice Soundscapes | Sunday, March 17 | 8:45-9:30 a.m. | UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum, 605 Azie Morton Rd., Austin | $10 | Take part in a movement and listening practice, led by somatic therapist Crystal Peña and music therapist Andrea Cortez.

Events calendar here

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Active

🍀 Lace up for this festive St. Paddy’s Day 5K

A group of runners dressed in different green outfits participate in a St. Paddy's Day 5K

Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with a fun run. | Photo provided by Athlete Guild

Runners, joggers, and walkers are invited to don their favorite green outfits for the St. Paddy’s Day 5K and 1K Leprechaun Kids Run on Saturday, March 16.

The race starts at 8 a.m. from Rockin R River Rides - Gruene (1405 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels). This course is for all ages and offers runners an easy out-and-back route along beautiful streets.

Stick around after the race for food, music, and beer from Guadalupe Brewing Co.

News Notes

Coming Soon

Mexta, a new restaurant from a group of lauded Mexican chefs, will open at 106 E. 6th St. on Friday, March 22. The menu will feature a range of dishes inspired by the regions of Mexico, like arroz con leche, mole negro, and slow-cooked pork belly. (Austin American-Statesman)

Civic

Just two candidates remain in Austin’s search for a new city manager after Kansas City manager Brian Platt withdrew from consideration. Denton City Manager Sara Hensley and former Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax will be up for vote by City Council in April. (CBS Austin)

Announced

JewBoy Burgers will open a burrito restaurant in West Campus’ Hole in the Wall this spring. In addition to burritos, JewBoy Cantina will serve Mexican-style flautas, nachos, and small tacos. (Eater Austin)

Biz

PopStroke, a Florida-based mini golf business designed by Tiger Woods, aims to open a 14,000-sqft space in Cedar Park. Plans for the space at 817 C-Bar Ranch Trail include two 18-hole courses, an ice cream parlor, beer garden, and private event space. (Austin Business Journal)

Concert

Barry Manilow will perform “The Last Austin Concert” at the Moody Center this fall. Tickets for the show on Monday, Aug. 19 will go on sale at 10 a.m. this Friday, March 15.

Sports

What’s in store for Longhorn men’s basketball in the Big 12 tournament? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Travel

With 50+ shops and restaurants, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is a destination before the destination. From mouth-watering barbecue to homemade ice cream, AUS boasts local flavors from gate to gate. Plan your foodie foray.*

Finance

Cue drum roll: 2024 is here, and the personal finance experts at The Ascent have sorted through hundreds of credit cards and done the work for you. These four are among the best bonus cards they’ve ever seen.*

Tech

💻 Online, but make it local

Austin joins New York, Las Vegas, and other US cities to have its own internet Web3 domain name

A view of the Austin skyline and Lady Bird Lake on a sunny day.

Austin will join other US cities in having a local-specific Web3 domain name. | Photo by ATXtoday

Central Texans are now able to launch websites with the Web3 domain name “.austin,” the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce and Unstoppable Domains announced at SXSW yesterday.

The new Web3 domain name — that little tag at the end of a url, like “.com” or “.org” — joins other cities like New York, Miami, Las Vegas, and Boston to have local-specific domain names.

The “.austin” domain is a Web3 domain. Without getting too into the nitty gritty, these are domains that live on a public blockchain, allow users additional access to data, offer an extra layer of security, and simplify cryptocurrency transactions.

Oh, and founders say there’s one more benefit to a “.austin” domain.

“This city-centric domain allows people to own a piece of digital identity that advocates their support for our community,” said Mark Duval, GAACC president and CEO.

The Buy

The Buy 3.13.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The perfect spring shoe for women, featuring a block heel that won’t get stuck in grassy areas. We love colors “Skyward Suede” and “Gold Leather” for special occassions.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
London

From the editor

Quokkas were well-represented at the opening party for the Australia House @ SXSW, which also served as a kind of kick-off celebration for the new Western Australia trade hub in Austin.

If you’re not familiar with the furry little marsupial, I suggest you look up a few photos — they’re pretty darn cute.

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