INNOVATIVE MATERIALS
Project: TOVA by IACC/WASP, Valldaura Labs, Barcelona (Photo: IAAV/Gregori Civera)
TOVA: Spain’s first 3D printed building using earth Housing is a problem worldwide, especially when housing shortages are acute as a result of natural disasters or war. In such a case, it would be useful if shelters could be built quickly and cheaply, preferably without having to bring in materials from far and wide. The first 3D-printed building in Spain has recently been installed in Spain: TOVA. It is made (almost) entirely from local clay and was completed in a matter of weeks. And that with 100 percent local materials and local labour, with no waste and with almost zero CO2 emissions. According to the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), which was responsible for the development and construction of TOVA, this concept can be used anywhere in the world, for example when dealing with people in emergency situations. 30 | INNOVATIVE MATERIALS 5 2022
