At an estimated <20% of the cost of constructing typical prefabricated buildings (Erith, 2021g), it is proposed the revolution of mass-customisable 3D-printed earthen structures compels the development of a novel architectural language.

Across the world, First Nations knowledges are being translated and applied to a myriad of social and environmental design challenges. It is proposed the scope and methodology for this project will be grounded on the Indigenous design principles, ‘functional sophistication’, ‘environmental sustainability’, and ‘storytelling’ (Page, Memmott, & Neale, 2021, p. 156).

With the potential to resolve as authentic cultural artefacts, it is envisaged 3D-printed earthen structures can enhance connection between cultures, people and places, and support self-determination for communities marginalised and/or displaced.

3D-printing with ubiquitous earth can “help address major architectural design concerns of our time, including environmental sustainability and economic resilience”, and further, gives architects the freedom to “fundamentally rethink how, what, and why they build” (Bañón & Raspall, 2020, p. 127).

This project is intended to be part of the [foundational] global development of design and materiality for a low cost, net-zero 3D-printed earthen architecture. Within an Australian context, it is proposed the development of a poetic, resonant architectural language will be synthesised through the sharing of stories and understanding, between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

“In order to understand the phenomena surrounding a new technology, we must open the question of design—the interaction between understanding and creation. In speaking here of design, we are not restricting our concern to the methodology of conscious design.” (Winograd, Flores, & Flores, 1986, p. 4).

The notion of ‘unconscious’ design could be considered a challenge to Naturalism, specifically, the theory that only natural forces operate in the universe, that is to say, those currently understood by science. By extension, unrestricted by the conscious mind and Naturalism more broadly, one can consider the premise that elements once considered supernatural and/or metaphysical, could be ‘harnessed’ as context and stimuli for an evolution of architectural design.