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Sophisticated 3D-Printed House Is First of Its Kind

By Jessica Stewart on September 3, 2018

We've seen 3D printed homes before, but nothing quite like this. Gone is the boxy, modular design in lieu of sleek curves in the new contemporary 3D printed home designed by WATG Designs, in partnership with Branch Technology. Curve Appeal is a revolution in freeform 3D printing, with a combination of new technology and traditional building materials making it the first of its kind.

The design was the winning entry to Branch Technology's 2016 Freeform Home Design Challenge, which asked architecture firms to imagine a single family home that leveraged 3D printing capabilities. While decidedly contemporary, WATG's design throws back to principles of Mid-Century Modern homes with its minimalist design, open spaces, and harmony between exterior and interior.

The 1,000-square-foot home is set to be built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with Branch working off of detailed 3D models provided by WATG. “Building technology essentially has not changed from either timber frame or brick for hundreds of years,” Christopher Hurst, WATG associate vice president and design director shared. “We are working toward a new shift in architecture and construction that allows designers to build at a worldly scale quicker and cheaper while giving new opportunity for mass customization.”

3-D printing allows for greater creative freedom, with Hurst pointing out that the dynamic curves of Curve Appeal would be extremely difficult to achieve, save for the use of expert craftsmen. If construction goes well, this could mean a new trend away from cookie cutter homes.