TreeSoil is a 3D printed earthen structure that creates small protective microclimates for young trees. Developed at the Material Topology Research Lab at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, together with the Tree Lab at the Weizmann Institute of Science, it combines architecture, material science, and plant biology to support ecological regeneration.

From Ancient Practices to Robotic Fabrication

TreeSoil takes inspiration from traditional farming methods once used in dry regions, where stone or earth walls shielded plants from wind and sun. Today, this principle is reimagined through robotic 3D printing and computational design.

Each modular shelter is made from interlocking bricks printed with locally sourced soil. Designers use data on sunlight, humidity, and wind to optimise growing conditions for each sapling. Because the structure is porous, it allows air and light to circulate freely. Meanwhile, the earthen walls act as thermal mass, stabilising temperature and moisture to help roots establish and grow.

Local, Biodegradable, and Circular

The printed material blends soil with sand, clay, and biobased binders made from cellulose and natural fibres. Some prototypes include biochar or nutrients from organic waste to strengthen the material and enrich the soil. Each brick is printed layer by layer with a robotic arm, dried naturally, and assembled on-site without adhesives.

As the tree matures, the shelter gradually breaks down. Over time, it returns its nutrients to the ground, leaving no waste behind. This circular process shows how design can both protect and restore natural systems.

A Model for Regenerative Design

TreeSoil challenges the idea that architecture must be permanent. Instead, it shows how buildings and structures can be temporary, adaptive, and regenerative. The project merges technology with ecology, offering a blueprint for sustainable interventions in reforestation and land restoration.

For architects, landscape designers, and product developers, TreeSoil demonstrates the potential of bio-based materials and robotic fabrication to create climate-responsive, circular systems that work in harmony with nature.

Source: Designboom
Photos: Edo Asoulin