A printed clay model of the intersecting domes
A printed clay model of the intersecting domes.

New Vernacular

How can raw earth and 3D printing give healthy, affordable homes in a semi-arid climate?

Kind
Research before Studio G01
By
Bertalan Ivan, graduation project, MSc Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences, TU Delft
Material
Raw earth, 3D printed; printed clay models
Place
Peal de Becerro, Andalusia
Year
2026

Southern Spain needs affordable homes that stay within ecological limits, and its semi-arid climate and clay soil suit building with raw earth. This project proposes a social housing typology that joins vernacular building knowledge with digital fabrication. The homes are intersecting earthen domes that work in compression only. Thermal mass, self-shading and chimney-effect ventilation keep them cool without machines, and guidelines written into a generative code let residents help design their own home.

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The masterplan keeps water on site and links town and farmland
The masterplan keeps water on site and links town and farmland.
Intersecting domes, printed as one form that works in compression only
Intersecting domes, printed as one form that works in compression only.
Printed test pieces, exploring wall patterns and details for printability
Printed test pieces, exploring wall patterns and details for printability.
Two stacked forms of unglazed printed clay
A printed clay prototype for the project, unglazed.

05 First pieces Printing Living Walls 02