Technion Researchers 3D Print Tree Shelters

Researchers from the Technion’s Material Topology Research Lab (MTRL) have unveiled TreeSoil, a 3D printed earthen structure designed to protect young trees and foster early growth in degraded environments. Fabricated using WASP’s LDM XXL extrusion system mounted on a KUKA KR50 robotic arm, each TreeSoil module is built layer by layer from locally sourced soil, then naturally dried and assembled on-site without adhesives.

Drawing inspiration from ancient agricultural methods that shaped soil and stone to shelter crops, TreeSoil applies computational design to reimagine these techniques for modern ecological restoration. The project’s interlocking brick geometry allows for modularity, easy on-site assembly, and strong structural performance, while its biodegradable composition, made from locally sourced soil, bio-based binders, and waste-derived fertilizers, enriches the land as it naturally decomposes.

Developed in collaboration with the Tree Lab at the Weizmann Institute of Science, TreeSoil represents a dialogue between digital fabrication and biology. By integrating site-specific climatic data into each prototype, the system adapts to environmental conditions and the nutritional needs of each sapling. The research team describes the project as “a living laboratory for environmental resilience,” uniting computational design with plant science to explore new modes of sustainable architecture.

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