DREAMS WITH EARTH AND CONCRETE: TECHNOLOGY AND TRADITION FOR THE HOUSING OF THE FUTURE IN MEXICO

In an attempt to transform access to affordable housing in Mexico, the project “Sueños con Tierra y Concreto” stands out as a remarkable example of technological innovation with Mexican foundations in traditional techniques. This interdisciplinary installation not only proposes a new paradigm in the use of sustainable materials but also demonstrates how industrial robotics can harmoniously integrate with local construction methods.

An International Collaboration with a Social Focus

The initiative arises from the cooperation between the Mota-Engil Group, the Norman B. Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism at MIT, the international entity New Story, and the Mexican society Échale. Each entity provided an essential perspective: academia from research and computational design, the company from construction experience, and non-governmental organizations from a community perspective for integral development. The objective was clear: to explore new ways of building low-cost, efficient housing, adaptable to the local context, and with minimal environmental impact.

Technology at the Service of Sustainable Design

One of the key components of the project was the creation of a lightweight slab system that fuses optimized reinforced concrete beams and three-dimensionally printed ceramic blocks. Through sophisticated computational techniques, MIT engineers managed to reduce the volume of material used in the beams by 50%, without affecting their structural strength. The molds used in their fabrication were made of reusable fiberglass, which also helps reduce waste. On the other hand, the blocks were locally produced using fired clay and 3D printing methods assisted by an industrial robot from the KUKA brand, specially designed to handle ceramic materials.

Earth that Builds the Future

Earth also played a leading role. Using tepetate – a clayey soil common in regions of the Mexican highlands – compressed and sun-dried blocks were made to form the pavilion walls. These blocks were assembled with an innovative post-tensioning system, which allowed construction without the need for mortar, facilitating their assembly, disassembly, and transport.

Technical Challenges and Local Solutions

The implementation of the project was not without obstacles. From adapting the KUKA robot to an environment with unusual materials to achieving adequate firing of the printed blocks without cracks, the process involved multiple resistance tests, modifications in mix proportions, and close cooperation with local producers. Additionally, the use of post-tensioning techniques for the earth walls was a structural challenge, overcome thanks to precise engineering calculations that ensured the stability of the installation.

Future Vision: Replicability and Expansion

“Sueños con Tierra y Concreto” is one of several establishments built under the same vision of dignified, accessible, and sustainable housing. Activities such as “Sueños con Fibra/Madera,” also under the direction of MIT and Mota-Engil, explore other material combinations such as bamboo or laminated wood. These projects are distinguished not only by experimentation with materials but also by the genuine opportunity to replicate these solutions in rural and urban communities in Latin America. With the incorporation of technologies such as robotics, digital production, and parametric design, the future of popular housing could be closer to a balance between the traditional and the progressive.

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