Prototype TOVA / Posgrado 3D Printing Architecture IAAC

Architects: Posgrado 3D Printing Architecture IAAC
Area: 9 m²
Year: 2022
Photography: Gregori Civera, Mehdi Harrak
Manufacturers: Grasshopper, Rhinoceros 3D, WASP
Lead Architects: Students of the 3D Printing Architecture Program 2021-2022
IAAC Students/Researchers: Adel Alatassi, Mariam Arwa Al-Hachami, Marwa Abdelrahim, Michelle Bezik, Leonardo Bin, Seni BoniDara, Deena El-Mahdy, Mehdi Harrak, Michelle Isoldi, Nareh Khaloian Sarnaghi, Mouad Laalou, Charles Musyoki, Eugene Marais, Hendrik Masjosthusmann, Nawaal Saksouk, Orestis Pavlidis, Juliana Rodriguez Torres, Aslinur Taskin.
IAAC Faculty: Edouard Cabay, Alexandre Dubor, Eduardo Chamorro, Vincent Huyghe, Ashkan Foroughi, Elisabetta Carnavale, Francesco Polvi, David Skaroupka, Bruno Ganem Coutinho, Marielena Papandreou, Guillem Baraut, Gloria Font, Lukas Fertig, Nikol Kirova, Lili Tayefi, Josep Alcover.
Collaborator/Technology: WASP
Graphics: Michelle Bezik
Program: Prototype for shelter
City: Barcelona
Country: Spain

Prototype TOVA, a 3D-printed clay shelter designed by Posgrado 3D Printing Architecture IAAC in Barcelona, demonstrates a sustainable approach to construction by integrating additive manufacturing with traditional clay-building techniques. Completed in 2022, the project utilizes locally sourced materials and incorporates passive design strategies to enhance ventilation, thermal performance, and structural stability. Developed within IAAC’s postgraduate program, the prototype serves as a research model for the viability of clay-based 3D printing in creating resilient, habitable spaces.

Prototype tova / posgrado 3d printing architecture iaac

Modern construction methods rely heavily on resource-intensive production and consumption models, demanding nearly twice the Earth’s available resources annually. Addressing this challenge necessitates fundamental changes in design and construction approaches. Prototype TOVA explores the potential of combining additive manufacturing with traditional clay construction to create more sustainable building solutions.

TOVA is the first clay-based 3D-printed prototype in Ibero-America, developed by students and professionals from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) as part of the 3D Printing Architecture postgraduate program. Constructed in Collserola Park near Valldaura Labs in Barcelona, the project prioritizes the use of local materials, limiting sourcing to a 500-meter radius from the site. The structure is composed of clay and water obtained on-site, with the composition carefully analyzed to determine the optimal mixture for 3D printing. Geopolymers reinforce the substructure, while a wooden roof provides additional stability and weather protection.

The prototype’s design integrates performative strategies developed during a two-week charette, where students synthesized research findings to address key architectural elements. These include controlled light openings, passive ventilation through wall cavities, optimized thermal conductivity, an integrated roof system, built-in furniture, waterproofing techniques, and a structurally reinforced floor.

3D printing in construction allows for precise design control, enabling performance-driven decisions. TOVA spans 9 m² and was designed with logistical constraints that ensured the project could be completed within two months by a team of 18 students. The framework for these parameters was established during an initial workshop, where design, time management, and printing feasibility were evaluated.

Structurally, the prototype incorporates a roof beam system and self-supporting clay walls. The walls are stabilized using T and L joints rather than linear segments, improving their resistance to environmental stress. The enclosed space provides a habitable, weather-resistant environment adapted to local climatic conditions.

The project’s objective was to collaboratively design and construct a full-scale 3D-printed prototype featuring a self-contained clay enclosure and a wooden roof, engineered to withstand various environmental conditions. Students engaged in research workshops and design discussions to refine the project’s execution and explore the broader implications of additive manufacturing in architecture. Developed in collaboration with WASP and funded by BBSR/Zukunftbau, Prototype TOVA highlights the potential of clay-based 3D printing as a viable, low-impact construction method, demonstrating its applicability in sustainable and adaptable architecture.