Revolutionizing Traditional Architecture: The World's First 3D-Printed Hotel to be Completed in 2026
The first 3D-printed hotel in the world, located in the remote Texas desert, is currently under construction. This hotel, featuring 43 guest rooms and 18 residences, is expected to be completed in 2026.
According to foreign media reports, the hotel is being printed by the 'Vulcan' 3D printer from ICON, a 3D printing company. Vulcan prints by 'extruding' layer upon layer of concrete mixture. This technology not only allows for imaginative and creative designs but also incorporates construction elements that are traditionally high-cost and difficult to replicate on a large scale.
It is reported that Vulcan has a width of 14.2 meters, a height of 4.7 meters, and weighs as much as 4.75 tons. The 'ink' used in the process is a special mixture of cement and other materials, which not only enhances the strength of the building materials but can also be adjusted based on the local climate, modifying the proportions and components of the mixture.
Experts have mentioned that in the future, 3D printing could potentially replace certain manual labor in construction, overcoming limitations such as labor shortages, high costs, and long construction times. This technology offers particular advantages in remote areas, providing the construction industry with new opportunities for development. The climate-adjustable 'ink' mixtures not only allow for waterproofing and energy-saving properties but also enable structures to withstand extreme weather conditions. In addition to 3D-printed buildings on Earth, the company is also working with NASA on plans to build human habitats on the Moon and Mars.
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