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Liz Lambert Partners with ICON & Bjarke Ingels Group to 3D Print New El Cosmico

The campground hotel in Marfa will be reimagined as a 62-acre community development constructed with 3D-printed architectural elements

HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY GIANT Liz Lambert will partner with 3D home printing company ICON and renowned architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group to reimagine El Cosmico, the iconic 21-acre campground hotel in Marfa, TX. 

Breaking ground in 2024, the redesigned El Cosmico will be relocated and expanded to become a 62-acre community development, made possible by large-scale 3D-printed architectural elements such as domes, arches, vaults and parabolic forms. The venue will include guest units, along with new features like a pool, spa and communal facilities. 

Jason Ballard, Liz Lambert and Bjarke Ingels.

“I have had a vision for the evolution of El Cosmico for many years that includes several spaces that add to the experience both for guests and locals — a pool, a hammam and more space for art and skills-building workshops,” says Lambert, the visionary behind hotels like Hotel Saint Cecilia and Hotel San José. “In collaborating with the revolutionary thinkers at BIG and ICON, not only do I get to fulfill this dream, but we get to do it using this incredible 3D-printing technology that marries the oldest principles of raw earth-based building with a futuristic technology that works more quickly, sustainably and efficiently than modern construction.” 

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The hotel and housing expansion will continue to celebrate the natural environment of Marfa and the creative culture of the town. El Cosmico is also home to the Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love, a multi-day musical celebration held under Chihuahuan Desert sky.

Plans for a printed hotel pool concept are also underway.

ICON’s 3D technology will create soft shapes and curved surfaces for the new hotel and homes, bringing this design vision to life in a way that can only be achieved by 3D printing. In addition, the Bjarke Ingels Group-designed two, three and four-bedroom homes that range from 1,200 square feet to 2,200 square feet will feature stunning views of the Davis Mountains. Reservations for these homes will open this summer. 

“One of the great joys of ICON is putting our technology into the hands of great creatives and seeing what possibilities emerge,” says Jason Ballard, co-founder and CEO of ICON. “The collaboration with Liz and Bjarke is a total dream, and it’s a tremendous honor for us to join them at the forefront of design and architecture. 

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In honor of this announcement, the teams behind the El Cosmico project have partnered with The Long Center for the Performing Arts to create a 3D-printed outdoor performance pavilion that will share a taste of the architectural design themes planned for the new El Cosmico in downtown Austin. The sculptural piece will serve as a gathering place and state-of-the-art stage. 

“The Hartman Concert Lawn at the Long Center offers the best view of Austin’s skyline and, now, this new outdoor venue in such a vibrant area will help us further our mission of being the city’s most diverse performing and cultural arts hub,” says Cory Baker, CEO of the Long Center. “On this much-needed new platform, we look forward to showcasing a variety of perspectives and voices that represent and appeal to our growing community.”

To learn more about this partnership and to be the first to hear when reservations for the new El Cosmico homes open, visit the property’s website here

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