3D-Printed Earth Architecture: From TECLA to Global Experiments

In 2021, TECLA, a 3D-printed dwelling made from raw earth, was created by Mario Cucinella Architects in collaboration with WASP. By 2026, this technology had gained international traction, with architects employing extruder nozzles to craft intricate designs. The construction of TECLA involved a dual-arm crane printer that took 200 hours to produce two parabolic domes using 60 cubic meters of material. In 2025, Lib Work and Arup finalized the Lib Earth House Model B in Yamaga, a 100-square-meter residence built with the Crane WASP system. That same year, MANUFACTURA introduced CORNCRETL, a material made from corn waste, lime, and marble powder. At the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, WASP and Columbia University showcased Earthen Rituals, while WASP also completed the Itaca house in Italy and initiated the Earth Forest Campus near Barcelona, redefining architects' roles to emphasize custom material craftsmanship.