TECLA: 3D-Printed Earth Architecture Evolves into New Craft

In 2021, Italian architecture firm Mario Cucinella Architects and Italian 3D printing company WASP collaborated to develop TECLA, a dwelling entirely 3D-printed from raw earth. Five years later, the technology behind this project has evolved and quietly spread across continents and design practices. By controlling the speed, angle, and trajectory of the extrusion nozzle, architects can now create far more than simple walls. Over the years, they have experimented with shaping the 3D-printed material to generate detailed surface motifs, reintroducing relief, texture, and complex patterns directly into the structure. This approach aims to bridge traditional earthen construction techniques with digital computation, in an era where code increasingly influences the form and material expression of architecture. The project highlights the potential of digital tools to create a new kind of artisan, merging ancient building methods with cutting-edge technology. The article, published on ArchDaily, explores whether these digital tools can indeed foster a new type of craftsmanship, emphasizing the tactile and aesthetic possibilities of 3D-printed earth.