THE CACTUS HOMES

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ICON BUILD INITIATIVE 99 COMPETITION

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Team: Julia Koerner, Kais Al-Rawi, Oliver Hamedinger, Stefanie Thaller, Kinamee Rhodes and Naomi Neururer

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Initiative 99, a global architecture competition at the intersection of architecture and 3D printing, was unveiled at ICON's official SXSW 2024 showcase event on March 12 in Austin.

 

JK3D's Cactus Homes have garnered an Honorable Mention in Phase One of ICON's Initiative 99 project, propelling them to the final phase alongside other winners.

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Inspired by the intelligent design of succulents and propelled by state-of-the-art 3D-printing technology, JK3D's innovative housing design features nine cactus-shaped units. Six of these units serve as living spaces, while three act as rainwater storage tanks. The design integrates an inverted gable roof that collects rainwater and provides shading. The cactus homes demonstrate a confluence of sustainability principles with aesthetic considerations.

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Our design concept prioritizes two key elements: mass customization and structural stability, drawing inspiration from the pleating observed in succulents. Sustainability is a primary focus, with a range of passive and active features meticulously integrated to enhance comfort, energy efficiency, and resource management. This includes the strategic harvesting of rainwater and harnessing energy resources such as solar power.

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Furthermore, our design prioritizes efficiency and affordability, envisioning a streamlined construction process and a preliminary cost estimate of approximately $99,000 per unit. With a flexible layout adaptable to various configurations and scalability up to 24 units, the cactus homes represent a novel approach to community-based, sustainable housing inspired by nature and enabled by cutting-edge digital fabrication techniques.

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Text via JK3D  

Images via JK3D

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