Long Center to add 3D-printed amphitheater to its grounds

The Long Center for the Performing will soon see its great lawn sprout an sculptural amphitheatre with undulating enclosure walls and a round stage.

The project is being built as a partnership among hotelier Liz Lambert, Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group and Icon, an Austin-based 3D-printing construction company.

Icon representatives said the amphitheatre is a gift to the city of Austin and the Long Center. The company will host a free, special event with live music, food trucks and refreshments 3:30 p.m. March 15.

Icon CEO Jason Ballard told the Austin American-Statesman that the amphitheatre is a “celebration” of an upcoming project in Marfa ― a new rendition of Lambert’s El Cosmico glamping project with 3D-printed luxury vacation casitas. He said the pavilion will give people “a little appetizer” of the new El Cosmico in Marfa, essentially a bit of marketing for the West Texas enterprise.

Ballard also claimed the title of first 3D-printed amphitheater pavilion music venue in the world for the Long Center project.

Long Center officials said they hope that the amphitheatre will be a viable venue option for smaller non-profits.