Austin Church Partners with ICON to Build First 3D-Printed Sanctuary
St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas, has teamed up with construction tech company ICON to replace its aging campus with 3D-printed buildings. The congregation surpassed its $8 million fundraising goal, with groundbreaking set for 2027 and the first building expected by summer 2028.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas, plans to build a new campus using 3D-printing technology, partnering with local firm ICON to replace facilities that date to the late 1950s.
The existing buildings have leaking roofs, rotting foundations, and asbestos, pushing the congregation toward a full rebuild. ICON will use its second-generation "Titan" construction system, which prints wall structures from a proprietary concrete mixture called CarbonX.
The design, developed with Overland Partners and sacred space advisor Amanda Iglesias, draws inspiration from Fra Angelico's painting of the Annunciation. The floor plan features an oval layout with radiating pews and a central altar. A tall window behind the altar is designed to cast a golden glow over the congregation.
ICON says the 3D-printed structures are fire and flood-resistant and can exceed standard strength codes by 300 percent.
The congregation surpassed its $8 million fundraising goal. Groundbreaking is planned for 2027, with the first building targeted for completion by summer 2028.
Christianity Today reported that other groups have attempted 3D-printed churches before, but some projects switched to conventional construction due to code and cost issues. The St. Mark's team views their project as a long-term investment in sacred architecture.
The church is located at 2128 Barton Hills Drive in Austin.
