Back to the Future
Revisiting Mid-20th Century Futuristic Housing Concepts
through Contemporary Additive Manufacturing Technologies
Abstract
The mid-20th century introduced visionary housing concepts that proposed novel materials and prefabrication techniques to redefine residential architecture.
However, these ideas largely remained unbuilt due to technological and economic constraints.
This thesis aims to evaluate the feasibility of constructing these avant-garde designs today by leveraging advancements in additive manufacturing, specifically 3D concrete printing, shotcrete technologies, and mesh-mould prefabrication.
By reassessing past architectural experiments through the lens of modern construction technologies, this research seeks to explore their technical viability and relevance to contemporary housing challenges.
Introduction
Throughout architectural history, designers have envisioned radical changes in the way homes are built, often tied to the promise of new materials and construction techniques.
From plastic prefabrication to modular housing, these speculative projects sought to streamline production, reduce costs, and introduce new ways of living.
Yet, many of these concepts remained unbuilt or were abandoned after limited experimentation.
Key examples include the House of the Future (1956) by Alison and Peter Smithson, the
Monsanto House of the Future (1957), and Matti Suuronen’s Futuro House (1960s),
all of which explored prefabrication, new materials, and automated environments.
Despite their potential, limitations in material science, production scalability, and economic feasibility prevented these ideas from becoming mainstream.
Today, advancements in additive manufacturing — including 3D concrete printing, shotcrete, and mesh-mould prefabrication — are transforming construction.
These technologies enable the efficient production of complex geometries with minimal waste and labor, potentially addressing the limitations that prevented mid-century futuristic housing from becoming a reality.
This thesis seeks to evaluate whether these once-impossible architectural visions can now be realized using contemporary techniques and how they might contribute to modern housing challenges.
Research Objectives
Historical Analysis – Examine mid-20th century futuristic housing designs, their intended innovations, and the technological/economic barriers that prevented their widespread adoption.
Technological Feasibility – Assess whether contemporary additive manufacturing methods (e.g., 3D concrete printing, shotcrete, and mesh-mould prefabrication) can be used to construct these designs today.
Architectural Adaptation – Explore necessary modifications to original designs to align with modern materials, structural requirements, and building regulations.
Contemporary Relevance – Analyze whether these revived concepts could address
present-day housing needs, particularly in terms of sustainability, affordability, and rapid
construction.
Methodology
Literature Review: Study historical futuristic housing concepts and recent advancements in additive manufacturing.
Case Study Selection: Choose key examples of unbuilt or experimental futuristic houses for
evaluation.
Material & Technology Assessment: Investigate whether modern 3D printing and prefabrication techniques can replicate or improve upon the original concepts.
Comparative Analysis: Evaluate the feasibility and practicality of constructing these houses today.
Dean, R. (1975). Views. Published by Pomegranate Artbooks
Dean, R. (1975). Views. Published by Pomegranate Artbooks
Expected Outcome
This research aims to bridge the gap between past architectural visions and contemporary
construction technologies.
By reassessing historical housing concepts through the lens of modern fabrication techniques, the thesis will provide insights into the feasibility of realizing these designs today.
The findings could contribute to discussions on the future of housing, sustainability, and innovative
construction methods.
Freies Seminar SS2025 Institut für Tragwerksentwurf Vertreten durch Prof. Norman Hack Betreut von Prof. Norman Hack Freies Seminar SS2025 Institut für Tragwerksentwurf Vertreten durch Prof. Norman Hack Betreut von Prof. Norman Hack
Back to
the Future
Revisiting Mid-20th Century Futuristic Housing Concepts
through Contemporary Additive Manufacturing Technologies
Abstract
The mid-20th century introduced visionary housing concepts that proposed novel materials and prefabrication techniques to redefine residential architecture.
However, these ideas largely remained unbuilt due to technological and economic constraints.
This thesis aims to evaluate the feasibility of constructing these avant-garde designs today by leveraging advancements in additive manufacturing, specifically 3D concrete printing, shotcrete technologies, and mesh-mould prefabrication.
By reassessing past architectural experiments through the lens of modern construction technologies, this research seeks to explore their technical viability and relevance to contemporary housing challenges.
Introduction
Throughout architectural history, designers have envisioned radical changes in the way homes are built, often tied to the promise of new materials and construction techniques.
From plastic prefabrication to modular housing, these speculative projects sought to streamline production, reduce costs, and introduce new ways of living.
Yet, many of these concepts remained unbuilt or were abandoned after limited experimentation.
Key examples include the House of the Future (1956) by Alison and Peter Smithson, the
Monsanto House of the Future (1957), and Matti Suuronen’s Futuro House (1960s),
all of which explored prefabrication, new materials, and automated environments.
Despite their potential, limitations in material science, production scalability, and economic feasibility prevented these ideas from becoming mainstream.
Today, advancements in additive manufacturing — including 3D concrete printing, shotcrete, and mesh-mould prefabrication — are transforming construction.
These technologies enable the efficient production of complex geometries with minimal waste and labor, potentially addressing the limitations that prevented mid-century futuristic housing from becoming a reality.
This thesis seeks to evaluate whether these once-impossible architectural visions can now be realized using contemporary techniques and how they might contribute to modern housing challenges.
Research Objectives
Historical Analysis – Examine mid-20th century futuristic housing designs, their intended innovations, and the technological/economic barriers that prevented their widespread adoption.
Technological Feasibility – Assess whether contemporary additive manufacturing methods (e.g., 3D concrete printing, shotcrete, and mesh-mould prefabrication) can be used to construct these designs today.
Architectural Adaptation – Explore necessary modifications to original designs to align with modern materials, structural requirements, and building regulations.
Contemporary Relevance – Analyze whether these revived concepts could address
present-day housing needs, particularly in terms of sustainability, affordability, and rapid
construction.
Dean, R. (1975). Views. Published by Pomegranate Artbooks
Methodology
Literature Review: Study historical futuristic housing concepts and recent advancements in additive manufacturing.
Case Study Selection: Choose key examples of unbuilt or experimental futuristic houses for
evaluation.
Material & Technology Assessment: Investigate whether modern 3D printing and prefabrication techniques can replicate or improve upon the original concepts.
Comparative Analysis: Evaluate the feasibility and practicality of constructing these houses today.
Dean, R. (1975). Views. Published by Pomegranate Artbooks
Expected Outcome
This research aims to bridge the gap between past architectural visions and contemporary
construction technologies.
By reassessing historical housing concepts through the lens of modern fabrication techniques, the thesis will provide insights into the feasibility of realizing these designs today.
The findings could contribute to discussions on the future of housing, sustainability, and innovative construction methods.
Freies Seminar SS2025 Institut für Tragwerksentwurf Vertreten durch Prof. Norman Hack Betreut von Prof. Norman Hack Freies Seminar SS2025 Institut für Tragwerksentwurf Vertreten durch Prof. Norman Hack Betreut von Prof. Norman Hack