Initiative99 Phase 2: An Urban Still Life

Located in Austin, TX, our design was the winning entry for the ‘Initiative 99’ affordable housing competition. The goal of the project was to design small scale living units, utilizing Icon’s 3D printed concrete, that could be achieved for $99,000. Our entry presents an affordable housing prototype that balances functionality, individuality, and community interaction, while showcasing ICON’s 3D printing technology and its ability to realize innovative forms and textures.

Planning prioritizes autonomy and spatial efficiency. Each is comprised of four zones: entry porch, living, sleeping, and bathing, all arranged around a central millwork wall. Each of these zones are expressed as a series of curvilinear volumes positioned around the site’s perimeter, creating an “urban still life” of solids and voids, set within a native landscape. The textured surfaces of the forms draw inspiration from the traditional textile patterns of the Native American tribes of the Austin area. Horizontal banding patterns mark the forms through a basketweave texture. Together, the forms and textures connect Austin’s heritage with cutting-edge building technology. The interiors emphasize material authenticity through the use of polished concrete floors, OSB ceilings, and the textured striations of the tinted concrete. Residents are provided with the opportunity for personalization through individual color selection for all painted elements. The result is the creation of beautiful small scale living spaces.