Plans for first 3D-printed house ‘Curve Appeal’ unveiled

CHICAGO, June 10 — WATG’s Urban Architecture studio has won the The Freeform Home Design Challenge with its plans to create the world’s first 3D-printed residence, a project they’ve named “Curve Appeal.”

The worldwide challenge, commissioned by US-based Branch Technology, challenged participants to design a 600-800 square-foot (about 55-75 square metre) “single-family home that rethinks traditional aesthetics, ergonomics, construction, building systems, and structure from the bottom up.”

Curve Appeal appeals to judges

The winner, announced last week, is Chicago-based architectural firm WATG (Wimberly, Allison, Tong and Goo) with their design “Curve Appeal”. The project consists of curving interior and an exterior “cores” which form the roof and parts of the facade. The interior protects the inhabitants from the outside elements, but still allows light to fill the space in order to create an organic, harmonious relationship with the environment. The exterior consists of “simple yet careful calculated archways” that blend in with the surrounding site, WATG explains. The structure will be produced using 3D-printed plastic and carbon-fibre panels wrapped around glass panels.

How to build a (3D-printed) house

Competition founder Branch will itself provide the printed material, a unique mix of plastic and carbon fibre. WATG’s design will be broken down into smaller components for the printing process, and then aggregated together to form the overall structure. To provide strength and resistance, spray foam and concrete will be added, as well as the glass wall panels and furnishings. WATG was required to take lighting, plumbing and electricity into consideration when conceiving their design.

The production of components for “Curve Appeal” is expected to start in 2017. — AFP-Relaxnews

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