Rethinking indigenous and ecological building materials through the means of additive manufacturing

Resumen

 Additive manufacturing or 3D printing can be a feasible strategy that can significantly reduce the time and manual labor required and translate into skilled labor and reduce the wastage of material required during construction. The process in all would also be cost-effective (van Woensel et al. 2018). The challenge posed is the proper implementation of additive manufacturing for full-scale clay-based building materials.

Clay-based architecture or mud architecture has been prevalent in India for centuries. Mud construction techniques have been utilized in various climatic zones based on the context and cultures. The versatility of the material allows it to be used as small modules like mud bricks and tiles to grandiose rammed earth walls. It is a highly adaptable material that can change its function as per the strategies used. Another important aspect is the skilled labor that is required to achieve clay architecture techniques (Salas, L. 2022). The rise of cement construction has affected skilled labor, forcing people to migrate to the cement construction sector. The essence and knowledge of these vernacular construction strategies are thus slowly disappearing.

This study will be a significant part of realizing the usage of local material to develop future habitable spaces. The help of innovative material systems and 3D printing will help incorporate traditional materials and translate them into solving dwelling problems