Lib Work, a Japanese residential construction company, unveiled its latest innovation in sustainable housing: the Lib Earth House model B. This full-scale residential prototype was constructed using 3D printing technology and soil as the primary building material.

Building upon model A’s success from 2024, this larger prototype secured an official building permit and featured a timber frame with self-supporting soil walls, printed using a 3D printer. The walls incorporated soil and nature-based binders, blending existing Japanese construction techniques with modern technology.

Building on our successful collaboration with Lib Work on model A, we provided consultation to developed soil-based printing materials, designed the printing path for the walls and created the structural design for the roof-supporting timber frame.

A key achievement was printing a 3m high wall to meet residential standards. This milestone, accomplished through rigorous strength testing and material optimisation, resulted in a structure that marries aesthetic freedom with structural integrity. Furthermore, we integrated general wooden frame structures to enable Lib Work’s wooden house construction techniques.

Another achievement was the successful realisation of a residential-scale building by combining 3D printing with existing construction methods. Through iterative refinement, we enhanced the soil’s structural properties. By repositioning 3D printer, we expanded the possible building dimensions beyond initial constraints. The design incorporated conventional timber framing techniques, seamlessly integrating with Lib Work’s expertise in wooden housing construction.

Model B represents a significant advancement in sustainable residential architecture, demonstrating the feasibility of soil as a primary construction material.

Its ambitious scale and curved design posed greater challenges than the cylindrical model A, pushing the boundaries of 3D-printed construction technology.

Innovative hybrid construction

Model B is approximately 100m², showcasing a hybrid construction method that combines existing timber technology with innovative soil applications. This approach harnesses earth’s natural soft texture and its thermal insulation properties while maintaining structural integrity through wooden elements.

At the heart of the design is a ‘cluster-type planning’ strategy, arranging rectangular units – living spaces, bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and a courtyard – to foster connectivity with the surrounding environment. Deep eaves and large openings make the most of natural light and ventilation, creating spaces that embrace nature in daily life.

Redefining boundaries with 3D printing

3D printing technology enables complex geometries and free-form curves previously unattainable through conventional construction methods. By layering design data directly into physical form, it has advanced architectural expression, offering a glimpse into the future of digital fabrication.

This pioneering effort marks a significant milestone in Japan’s architectural landscape, blending traditional materials with cutting-edge fabrication methods to propose a new paradigm for environmentally conscious living.

Future impact

3D-printed housing using earth-based materials offers a promising way to reduce environmental impact while harnessing the natural insulation of soil to create comfortable living spaces. When combined with wood, it can provide structural stability and is gaining attention as a sustainable and wellness-oriented approach to modern housing.

Top image: © Lib Work

A table and chairs in a room.

3D-printed housing using earth-based materials offers a promising way to reduce environmental impact while harnessing the natural insulation and humidity-regulating properties of soil to create comfortable living spaces. © Lib Work

A building with a roof.

3D printing technology enables complex geometries and free-form curves previously unattainable through conventional construction methods. © Lib Work

A deck with a wood deck and a wood deck with a plant and a wood floor and a.

At the heart of the design is a ‘cluster-type planning’ strategy, arranging rectangular units—living spaces, bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and a courtyard—to foster connectivity with the surrounding environment. © Lib Work

Its ambitious scale and curved design posed greater challenges than the cylindrical model A, pushing the boundaries of 3D-printed construction technology. © Lib Work