The Earth Space Articulated System is based on 7 element types which combined create an articulated and reconfigurable system. This system allows generating continuous walls with rotation freedom through its articulation, and having the possibility of varying thickness and pattern distribution through the element variation.
The bricks are based on 3D-printed unfired clay, which makes them completely recyclable. The strength of the elements is provided through geometry optimization, responding to the characteristics of the fabrication system and the material. This design is one of the developments of the ongoing research “earthprinting” being developed at Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW / Zurich University of Applied Sciences), a project based on the development of a 3D printed unfired clay modular system mainly for interior applications.
The system was applied during the Winter School 2025 “Earth Space”, between Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI) and ZHAW. For which a small series of approximately 600 printed pieces was produced. The students used a custom configurator based on the system to design different spaces, one of them was selected and built. The project allows a meaningful reflection on novel sustainable constructive systems enabled through digital processes.
CREDITS
_ZHAW Institute for Building Technology and Process in collaboration with USI Accademia di architettura di Mendrisio, FMAA Fabrication- and Material-Aware Architecture
_System Design: David Jenny, Edurne Morales
_Industry partner, production development and material sponsoring: cœurdeterre by Brauchli Ziegelei AG
EarthSpace Wintershool
_Workshop collaborators: David Jenny (Workshop Lead ZHAW), Prof. Dr. Ena Lloret-Fritschi (Workshop Lead USI), Edurne Morales (ZHAW), Sevgi Altun (USI), Yasaman Yavaribajestani (ZHAW), Sacha Cutajar (USI)
_Students: Beatrice Damiani (USI); Hedwig Michelle Ringeisen-Castellanos (ZHAW); Irena Toplanaj (ZHAW); Jens Rudolf Kristiansen Ugelstad (USI); Julian Reissner (ZHAW); Kabishnah Rathirajan (ZHAW); Leon Schlatter (ZHAW); Luchuan Su (USI); Marina Bosch (ZHAW); Maximillianus Agitama (USI); Meltem Simsek (ZHAW); Sam Leon Leuenberger (USI); Severin Marti (ZHAW); Sofia Basso (USI); Wanchen Ning (USI)
_Photos and videos: David Jenny, Alberto Canepa, Edurne Morales
Landquarter Mäss
_Wall design: David Jenny, Edurne Morales
_Photos: David Jenny, Edurne Morales
