DUSTCUBE: A Stereotomic 3D-Printed Housing Unit Meant for Mediterranean Areas

The aim of this paper is to present the project of a modern Mediterranean house, meant especially for “reconstruction” – therefore conceived for places hit by environmental disasters or by war – and designed according to sustainability criteria. The name DUSTCUBE explains the essence of the project, which appears as a cubic volume with arched openings that has been thought to be fabricated using the 3D printing of dust (stone powder, desert sand, etc.). The project consists of a minimal housing module inspired by vaulted structures typical of traditional Mediterranean architecture and it is designed to merge the construction principles of stereotomy with modern digital fabrication technologies. The module measures 25 square meters and it comprehends all the essential services of a house, but it can be replicated in space to form more complex urban agglomerations. The global configuration is the final output of a complex design process, that has considered not only architectural, but also construction and sustainability matters. As a matter of fact, the structure can be assembled without the use of centrings thanks to the conical profile of the internal vaults; this helps keep the assembly process simpler and reduces costs and material waste. Moreover, a series of passive-cooling strategies have been adopted, taking inspiration especially from traditional Mediterranean dwellings. The unit is designed to be composed of stereotomic ashlars made of 3Dprinted stone using the binder jetting technology. The use of 3D printing offers two main advantages: it allows to customise the blocks in terms of shape and porosity, without producing waste. This way the various components can be optimized according to their static behaviour, to their weight or to insulation criteria; it is possible to keep the construction process green by using recycled material, such as waste stone powder or debris from the demolition or destruction of existing buildings. In a world afflicted by conflicts and disasters, DUSTCUBE is a “vision” for long-term reconstruction in the Mediterranean area. It represents an architectural synthesis of innovation, sustainability and cultural heritage that helps reaffirm the role of Mediterranean identity in shaping the future of resilient and responsible design.