Robotically 3D-Printed Earthen Walls Embedded with Living Organisms
Description
Eco-resilient Tectonics explores the development of living building materials (LBMs) through robotic 3D printing of earth-based substrates embedded with living organisms. LBMs offer a promising future for construction by enabling the integration of living systems into buildings, enhancing resilience and supporting ecological diversity. This research takes a multi-species approach, carefully considering ecological factors to create optimal conditions for organisms to thrive and eventually become part of architectural systems.
In this study, Pleurotus ostreatus (Blue Oyster mushroom) mycelium was grown into a composite, and Raphanus sativus (Radish) was incorporated for greenery; both were embedded in a 3D-printed wall system whose geometry and print toolpaths were generated parametrically in Grasshopper. The resulting prototype successfully demonstrated the growth of bot
Program Development
This approach reinterprets material decay as ecological transformation, positioning buildings as self-healing, environmentally responsive systems. By merging additive manufacturing with biological processes, the project advocates a shift from inert construction to regenerative fabrication. Architecture, in this vision, becomes an active ecological participant, where the integration of life into material systems fosters resilient, low-carbon, and adaptive infrastructure that responds dynamically to environmental change.
This project was presented at Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) 113th Annual Meeting. Proceedings can be found at : ACSA Proceedings.
Venue
ACSA 113th Annual Meeting (2025); chapter in Claying Architecture (2026)
Role
Principal Investigator, computational design and robotic fabrication
Design Method
Computational Design (Grasshopper Workflows), parametric wall geometry to robotic paste-extrusion toolpaths in Rhino/Grasshopper
Fabrication Process
Additive Manufacturing (Robotic Paste/Ink Extrusion)
Building Material
Mineral Composite (Soil-Based Ink); Biogenic Additive (Microgreens: Radish / Raphanus sativus; Mycelium: Pleurotus ostreatus)
Construction System
Printed Component (Eco-Resilient Wall); Ecologically Active (Earthen Wall)
Environmental System
Vegetation Integration (Plant Germination, Multi-Species Growth); Self-Healing (Mycelium Regeneration)
Final Prototype Dimensions
W 300 mm × D 150 mm × H 900-1200 mm (≈ 12 in × 6 in × 35-47 in)
Project Team
Ehsan Baharlou (Principal Investigator)
Student Research Assistants
Avery Edson, Mia Hsu, Juliana Jackson, Eli Sobel, Tabi Summers and Ipsita Datta
Image Credit
Ehsan Baharlou, CT.lab, University of Virginia, 2024
Acknowledgements
Developed at the Computational Tectonics Lab (CT.lab), School of Architecture, University of Virginia. Led by Principal Investigator Dr.-Ing. Ehsan Baharlou, with student research assistants Avery Edson, Mia Hsu, Juliana Jackson, Eli Sobel, Tabi Summers, and Ipsita Datta. The team gratefully acknowledges the UVA Fabrication Facilities staff, Melissa Goldman, Dr. Trevor Kemp, and Andrew Spears, whose technical expertise enabled the fabrication process.