Wells Fargo has entered into a partnership with ICON, an advanced construction technologies company, to support a global architecture competition focused on affordable housing. The Wells Fargo Foundation has pledged $500,000 in grants to Mobile Loaves & Fishes, a non-profit organization based in Austin.
The competition, known as Initiative 99, was launched by ICON. It invites students, designers, and architects from around the world to design affordable homes using its 3D-printed construction technology. Submissions were received from over 60 countries. According to information provided by ICON about Initiative 99, the top designs will be featured in ICON’s CODEX - a digital catalog that showcases innovative architectural solutions for future home construction.
"The demand for more affordable, accessible and well‑designed homes has never been greater, and Wells Fargo is committed to unlocking new ways of accelerating housing production while also reducing barriers to housing equity," said Darlene Goins, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation. This statement was part of a press release issued by Wells Fargo. Goins further added that "ICON‘s innovative 3D‑printed technology paired with these beautiful, imaginative Initiative 99 designs represent a potential model for the future of affordable housing. Wells Fargo is proud to help make these homes a reality."
During the DOMUS EX MACHINA event at SXSW 2024, ICON and Wells Fargo presented the winning designs from phase I of the initiative. Following phase II of the initiative, according to another press release by Wells Fargo, ICON and Mobile Loaves & Fishes will select a winning design for implementation in the expansion of Community First! Village.
"With Initiative 99, we are changing the way that we talk about affordable housing," said Jason Ballard, co-founder and CEO of ICON. He continued: "When we talk about affordable housing, the conversation is often depressing and so are the results. Our goal is that Initiative 99 will create the conditions for affordable housing to be something hopeful, optimistic, and exciting, and furthermore be a catalyst for the building of some really incredible affordable homes that just years ago would not have even been possible. The future could be a wonder, but we have to all work together to make it so."