Sofoklis Giannakopoulos has been leading the Pylos Project at Barcelona’s IAAC University, using sustainable materials (primarily soil) that could be extruded by a Kuka robotic arm to build housing structures. The effort has grown to the point that Sofoklis has been able to build several large structures as proofs of concept. They start at 930 mm and one is as tall as two meters.

The Pylos team explains on the IAAC website: “The project focuses on the natural properties of soil … The advantages of an earth – soil structure are primarily related to both the environment and economy, being secure and friendly to our environment. Soil also offers the benefits of natural insulation, fire protection, air circulation, low first cost, 100 percent recyclable structures, stiffness, great strength, thermal flywheel effect, low greenhouse emissions, regulating the climate, and providing a healthy indoor environment.”