TreeSoil protective microclimate supports early growth of trees
TreeSoil is a robotic 3D printed earthen shelter designed to create microclimates that support the early growth of young trees. Developed at the Technion’s Material Topology Research Lab (MTRL) in collaboration with the Tree Lab at the Weizmann Institute of Science, the project integrates architecture, material science, and plant biology to explore how design can actively assist ecological regeneration.
The project draws on ancient agricultural techniques used in arid landscapes, where stone or earthen enclosures shield crops and saplings from wind, sun, and evaporation. TreeSoil reinterprets these methods through computational design and robotic fabrication, transforming soil into a modular, interlocking system that mediates between technology and ecology. Each structure is composed of modular bricks produced through large-scale robotic extrusion. The design uses local climatic data, including solar radiation, wind patterns, and humidity, to optimize conditions for the sapling at its center. Its porous geometry enables airflow and shading, while the thermal mass of the earthen material helps regulate temperature and moisture, supporting root establishment and early growth.
all images by Edo Asoulin
biodegradable TreeSoil system returns to earth as trees mature
The material system combines locally sourced soil with sand, clay, and bio-based binders derived from cellulose and organic fibers. In some prototypes, biochar and other waste-derived nutrients are added to enhance soil stability and structural integrity. The mixture is tested for rheological, mechanical, and erosion properties to ensure printability and environmental compatibility. Components are fabricated using a KUKA KR50 robotic arm and a WASP LDM XXXL extrusion system, built layer by layer, naturally dried, and assembled on-site without adhesives. The resulting structure is fully biodegradable and gradually disintegrates as the tree matures, returning nutrients to the soil.
TreeSoil positions architecture as a temporary, adaptive, and regenerative infrastructure rather than a permanent form. Its design emphasizes the relationship between vegetation and the land, creating a controlled microclimate while integrating technology, soil, and plant life into a responsive ecological system. The design team at Material Topology Research Lab names the project TreeSoil to reflect the fundamental relationship between vegetation and the land it emerges from.
the completed TreeSoil shelter stands within the reforestation site, merging earthen architecture, robotics, and ecology into a living system of care
top view of the TreeSoil structure illustrating its internal cavity, where airflow, shading, and soil moisture create favorable growth conditions
close-up view of the final layers being assembled, showing the precise interlocking geometry and the protected carob sapling within
researchers assemble the modular earthen units of TreeSoil around a young sapling, forming the base structure for the microclimate shelter
carrying water and saplings to the planting site. each TreeSoil installation is positioned to respond to local topography and site conditions
freshly printed TreeSoil bricks are set to dry naturally. their interlocking geometry provides both structural integrity and porosity for environmental exchange
project info:
name: TreeSoil
designer: Material Topology Research Lab | @mtrlab, Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa Research
design team: Ofer Asaf, Aaron Sprecher
research & design lead: Ofer Asaf
academic advisors: Profs. Aaron Sprecher, Arnon Bentur, Tamir Klein
video & stills, direction, cinematography & edit: Tamir Faingold
still photography: Edo Asoulin
creative direction: Dana Zelig
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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
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