02-07-2025
Park + Associates' QR3D Is Singapore's First 3D-Printed House
Summary
In a quiet residential enclave ofSingapore,Park + Associateshas unveiled QR3D — the country's first multi-storey 3D-printed house. Designed as a family home for the firm's founder, Lim Koon Park, the four-storey residence represents a landmark moment in Southeast Asia's architectural landscape.
Developed in collaboration with CES_InnovFab, QR3D serves as a living prototype for how 3D-printing can be scaled beyond utilitarian components to full-fledged residential structures. More than 90% of the house is built using a custom concrete mix, precisely printed both onsite and offsite. This showcases the technology's practical viability and transformative potential within a notoriously high-stakes industry.
True to Park + Associates' ethos of sculptural restraint and contextual sensitivity, QR3D balances bold innovation with emotional depth. The home's raw concrete striations are left exposed, celebrating the texture of its construction method. At the heart of the house is a dramatic oculus—a circular void positioned above the dining area. This feature functions both as an efficient passive cooling system and as a poignant tribute to the neoclassical residence that once stood on the very same plot.
Beyond its visual narrative, QR3D reshapes conventional construction methods. 3D-printing streamlines labor, reduces waste and minimizes environmental disruption, turning complex architectural forms into efficient, singular processes. Rather than prioritizing novelty, Park emphasized foundational values: 'We set out to create a family home that could remain relevant and respected in decades to come.' In a region facing rapid urbanization and ecological strain, QR3D offers a poetic yet practical vision for future design — one where architecture is crafted with both technological intelligence and emotional soul.
