This project investigates soil as a living construction medium by integrating robotic additive manufacturing with ecological performance. It begins by establishing a proof of concept at the material and prototype scale, demonstrating that extruded soil can function simultaneously as a structural and biological substrate, and then advances toward architectural application through scalable wall systems. By coupling soil mechanics, plant growth, and computational fabrication, the research frames geometry and layering as active agents in controlling water retention, germination, and environmental interaction, positioning ecologically active structures as a foundation for resilient and regenerative architectural tectonics.
Phase1: Analysis
This research on ecologically active structures was conducted to explore the feasibility of 3D printing soil structures capable of supporting plant life. The study successfully printed stand–alone soil structures using an extrusion method without any additives. When water content is properly controlled, these printed structures can support the germination and growth of plants. The study also demonstrates that the water retention capabilities of printed structures differ from those of potted soil with the same composition.
By examining three different soil textures, our research team correlated drying characteristics with the ability of the soil to support plant growth and revealed a fundamental difference in the soil–water characteristics of extruded soils. The focus on ecologically active structures highlights the importance of developing a printable mixture that is both structurally cohesive and able to provide nutrients for seed germination. Robotically 3D–printed, self–standing domes serve as living structures at the prototype scale, opening the conversation on the role of geometry in water retention for free–standing structures.
This research has been published in Additive Manufacturing journal.
Program Development
Phase 2: Application
Building on our initial work with ecologically active structures, this phase explores scalability at the stud–wall level. The research expands traditional earthen construction techniques by incorporating robotic 3D printing, aiming to use the precision of technology to embed greenery within each layer. This approach, termed “Ecotectonics,” is a synthesis of environmentally responsive strategies and living construction. The robotic extrusion of soil–based mixtures continues to meet the project’s three core criteria—printability, structural cohesion, and nutrient capacity—while extending these qualities to larger assemblies.
Eco-resilient Tectonics investigates ways to enhance the resilience of printed soil structures by incorporating living components. In the wall–partition prototype, successive soil layers were robotically deposited and then selectively seeded so that the exterior face germinates while the interior remains finish–ready. The result demonstrates that living, performance–enhancing skins can be integrated directly into building walls without the need for separate cladding systems, advancing both resilience and circular material practices.
Program Development
This applicative research has been showcased in Venice Biennale 2025 & Chicago Biennial 2025. The research was also presented at ACSA Material Tectonics Conference 2023. The research garnered attention in news outlets too.
Project Lead
Ehsan Baharlou
Project Team
David E.Carr and Ji Ma
Project Student Assistants
Phase 1: Spencer Barnes, Leah Kristin
Image Credit
Computational Tectonics Lab, University of Virginia, 2022
Acknowledgements
This work was support by the University of Virginia 3Cavaliers Program.