Bureau «Mario Cucinella Architects» has 3D-printed the world’s first biodegradable «Tecla» house in Italy. The architects have used local earth as the raw material. This construction demonstrates the fusion of natural materials with technology.
The house has been built near the town of Ravenna in Italy. The building plan had been designed so that the house can support its own weight without the use of additional carcasses. The construction material for the 3D-printed house is a mixture of earth, water, rice husks and a binder of just 5%. Its construction has been taken 200 hours.
Built in situ using locally sourced materials, «Tecla» is an exemplar of a zero-waste product. The streamlined approach with construction is mirrored in an appropriately strong aesthetic. The house appears coherent, with the same visual style both inside and out. The environment feels natural and warm, with gentle colourings and a tactile surface finish that is friendly to the touch. The internal spaces – a living area, a bedroom and bathroom – feature tailor made, built-in furniture to match the overall aesthetic, allowing at the same time enough free, open space for customisation and flexibility if needed.
«Fitted furnishings are produced as part of the 3-D printing process enabling occupants to make instant use of these dwellings», say the architects.
A small lake has been dug in the yard, which collects sewage and rainwater for irrigating the garden. The house is powered by solar panels.
The project is named after the imaginary city described by writer Italo Calvino — «Tecla». «Adopted from one of Italo Calvino’s Imaginary Cities, one that is forever taking shape, the name ‘Tecla’ evokes the strong link between past and future combining the materiality and spirit of timeless ancient dwellings with the 21st-century world of high-tech production», say the architects.
Source: www.wallpaper.com