Synchronizing City Growth with Tech Trends in 2024: Civilitude Engineers & Planners at Austin’s SXSW
Amid the whirlwind of events that is Austin with the convergence of spring break and the South By Southwest (SXSW) festival, we want to reflect on some standout events that epitomize innovation in the AEC industry and beyond.
ICON “Domus Ex Machina”
Last year during SXSW, ICON Technologies unveiled a 3D printed outdoor amphitheater outside of the Long Center, in which Civilitude Engineers and Planners was a partner on civil design and permitting. They also announced Initiative 99, a global design contest to build affordable homes for less than $99,000. This year at the “Domus Ex Machina” showcase, the winners were revealed and it was also shared that Wells Fargo would fund a $500,000 effort to bring to life these designs in the Community First! Village, owned and operated by Mobile Loaves and Fishes.
ICON also revealed a new printer, Phoenix, which expands printing capabilities by being able to print two-story buildings, foundations, and roofs. They also revealed a new generative AI tool called Vitruvius, which allows end users to create floor plans and renderings based on criteria like budget. While the prospect of new AI tools can feel overwhelming, we are confident that AI can be used as a helpful tool to the designers and engineers alike.
Civilitude Engineers and Planners is proud to have worked with ICON Technologies on a variety of exceptional, high-tech projects across the state of Texas, including their HQ, labs, and the Long Center Amphitheater.
Proptech House Panel
On March 13th, Civilitude Engineers and Planners President Nhat Ho spoke at the PropTech House on the “Smart Buildings and Cities, Reimagined” panel. Fellow panelists included Hannah Walker, COO of Sinclair Digital and Laura Patiño, Chief Resilience Officer for the City of San Antonio. This insightful group from a diverse set of backgrounds and career journeys covered topics like politics in local government, outdated land development codes, and how civic engagement can benefit us when it comes to tackling building our cities and urban centers.
Reflecting on Austin’s unique ecosystem, “I’ve found there is a really great community to engage in, but it also is a great place to be anchored in,” said Ho. He continued “Austin has been a really great place to try different things and be a catalyst for positive change.”
The PropTech House also featured a panel titled “Real Estate Investment & Finance, Reimagined” which discussed the multitude of AI tools available to real estate professionals and how those technologies are poised to change the real estate industry.
Cheers to another successful SXSW festival! We are honored to attend these transformative events and eagerly anticipate Austin’s next chapter in ever-evolving progress and innovation.