TECLA

House 3D printed with local soil

TECLA is a fully 3D printed housing unit that integrates traditional building techniques with natural, locally sourced materials. Designed by Mario Cucinella Architects (MCA) and engineered by WASP, it uses recyclable materials from the local soil, making it carbon neutral and adaptable to different climates. The double-dome design combines structure, roof and cladding to ensure efficiency. It was built using two synchronised 3D printers, using automation protocols to optimise movement and efficiency. The soil mix was tailored to local climatic conditions, with solar analysis and computational tools guiding the design to improve thermal performance and energy efficiency. (Chadha, et al., 2024