Led by the US arm of Germany’s Peri 3D Construction and local design-build firm CIVE, Inc. in the role of project engineer and general contractor, the first-of-its-kind project is a hybrid one that marries 3D printing technology with conventional wood framing methods in an approach that “allows the two material systems to be used strategically and aims to increase the applicability of 3D printing in the US, where framing is one of the most common construction techniques,” the project team described in a statement.

Specifically, the structure is comprised of printed spatial cores produced by a gantry-style COBOD BOD2 printer that contain stairs and functional spaces; these printed elements are connected to the wood framing to “produce an architectural alternation of concrete and framed interiors”.

“For the design of the project, we developed a hybrid construction approach that couples innovations in concrete 3D printing with traditional wood framing techniques to create a building system that is structurally efficient, easily replicable, and materially responsive,” noted designers Leslie Lok and Sasa Zivkovic, assistant professors of architecture in the College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP).

“The project also highlights the exciting design potential of mass-customized architectural components to meet homeowner’s needs and to simplify building system integration. These design efforts aim to increase the impact, applicability, sustainability, and cost efficiency of 3D printing for future residential and multi-family buildings in the U.S.”

“We are incredibly proud to not only showcase the possibilities of the BOD2 3D construction printer but also our extensive know-how in planning, engineering and printing on this project, which is the seventh and largest one we printed so far,” said Fabian Meyre-Broetz, CEO of PERI 3D Construction, which has based its US operations in Maryland.