This material design research develops a novel lightweight earth-fiber mix design for parametric modeling and digital fabrication, by increasing carbon storing vegetable fiber content, and creating paper-thin partition assemblage.

This study concludes a line of ongoing research on fiber-earth compositions for 3D printing technologies using earth- and bio-based materials . Throughout the study described below, we conducted experiments using the Lite Straw Clay material mixture. The goal of this research is to conduct the most efficient 3D printing process with natural fiber material, specifically Lite Straw Clay. The research began with material studies for printability and extrudability. Then, geometric studies were conducted to produce a super lightweight but structurally sound form to test the limit for minimum material.

The geometric exploration began with an investigation into the symbolism and patterns in traditional fabric craft, followed by an investigation into shading patterns in North African and Mediterranean contexts. Traditional woven fabrics, specifically the Noche de Berberisca dresses, exhibit weaved patterns that helped construct fabric shape, as a reinforcement element. The investigation continued into the arab shading element - the Mashrabiya typology, asking, how is it possible to reinterpret traditional craft embedded with ancient knowledge on passive shading systems, but with the lightness typical of fabric construction?