objects . 3D printing became reality during the latter half of the 1980s ; however , it was rudimentary and only able to produce basic synthetic pieces . Development of 3D printing technology proliferated during the 21st century and today it is transforming into cutting-edge solutions for creating many different types of production components . The applications and use cases of 3D printing vary across industries including aerospace , automotive , healthcare , manufacturing and construction . Recent advances in 3D printing technologies have enabled the building of homes , buildings and bridges .

3D printing , then , has potentially huge applications to hotel development . 3D

construction printing utilizes robotic arms to deposit corrugations of materials , typically concrete or other specialized mixes , to build entire structures or specific components . Benefits of 3D construction printing include development cost efficiencies through reduced labor and faster completion timelines and the capacity to realize intricate and custom designs that were historically impractical . Finally , unlike traditional construction , 3D printing reduces waste by utilizing only necessary amounts of materials .

Which takes us to today . The world ’ s first 3D-printed hotel is proposed at El Cosmico , which today is a unique 21-acre lodging facility that includes

tents , trailers , yurts and teepees and situated in the small city of Marfa , Texas . Iconic boutique hotelier Liz Lambert , who founded Bunkhouse Group , plans to relocate and expand El Cosmico on a nearby 60- acre plot that will showcase entirely new architectural approaches made possible with 3D construction printing . Collaborating with design / architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group ( BIG ) and construction technology company ICON , the proposed complex is slated to include otherworldly dome-shaped lodgings that will appear to organically rise from Marfa ’ s remote desert landscape . When completed , the improvements will showcase a radical

new approach to lodging development .

While a major milestone achievement , utilization of 3D construction printing today is in its infancy . In the near term , challenges facing widespread adoption of this new phenomenon include the need to create standards for this innovative method while ensuring safety and compliance . Additionally , development of specialized materials suitable for 3D printing , optimizing their properties for construction purposes and scaling up production will all take time . As technology progresses , 3D construction printing will substantially influence costeffectiveness , sustainability and innovative design .