A Growing 3D Printed Architecture for Venice Biennale 2025
On the occasion of the19th edition of the Venice Biennale of Architecture, WASP and architect Nof Nathansohn of MIT School of Architecture collaborated on the creation of a 3D printed structure from local soil and embedded with seeds.
3D Printing Living Architecture
“To Grow a Building” stands at the threshold where mechanical precision meets nature’s sublime unpredictability. Through innovative 3D printing, the project creates structures from soil-based materials embedded with carefully selected seeds that, once complete, awaken to transform rigid forms into living architecture.
Crane WASP Scara: the 3D printer for construction using natural earth materials
For the creation of the project, Nof Nathansohn and her team were hosted at WASP’s facility as part of the WASP Residency Program, where, together with the WASP team, they operated the newly developed Crane WASP Scara and printed using 100% local soil collected from the town of Massa Lombarda, where WASP’s headquarters are located.
Thanks to its mechanical joint, which significantly enhances its range of motion, the Crane WASP Scara can print in close proximity to existing structures such as walls and natural formations, as well as living organisms like trees.
The structure, located at WASP’s headquarters, is featured in the Natural section of the Arsenale area at the Venice Biennale of Architecture through a photo and video reportage documenting its creation.
Designed to grow and flourish
Rather than resisting time, these buildings embrace it: germinating, flourishing, and eventually returning to the earth. As seeds sprout, their roots thread through the architectural body, not as invaders but as natural reinforcement, weaving strength through biological collaboration.
This new installation includes 14 different species of plants, a structure that is 5 meters in diameter and about 8 kilometers of printing tool path.
The seed curation celebrates local wisdom and ecological necessity, supporting biodiversity when our urban environments need it most.
Project credits:
To Grow a Building
Architect: Nof Nathansohn
Technical Collaborators: WASP
Research Associates: Gitit Linker, Elisheva Gillis, Yuval Ayali, Shai Keselbrener
Botanist: Tomer Farag, Volcani Institute
Cinematography: Idan Zarmon
3D Animation: Andrea Philippon
Supported by:
Rogovin fund for ecological innovation in real estate
MIT Architecture and MIT MISTI
SCE Negev School of Architecture
The cityof Massa Lombarda