Ecological and financial performance of digitally fabricated earthen housing versus traditional systems: A systematic review
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Abstract
Three-dimensional printing applied to clay-based construction has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional building systems, particularly because of its potential to reduce waste, optimize material use, and employ locally available low-impact resources. However, its environmental and economic sustainability still requires critical assessment, since the benefits attributed to this technology depend on mix composition, energy consumption, stabilizers used, and the life cycle stages considered. The objective of this article was to compare the environmental and economic sustainability indicators reported in the literature for 3D-printed clay housing and conventionally built housing, considering the full life cycle. A systematic review article was conducted following methodological guidelines for the identification, selection, and critical analysis of indexed scientific studies related to 3D printing, clay, earth, sustainability, costs, and life cycle assessment. The results showed that the available literature focuses mainly on environmental indicators, such as global warming potential, embodied carbon, CO? emissions, and energy demand, whereas economic indicators and cradle-to-grave assessments remain limited. Likewise, the reviewed studies mostly analyze mixtures, mortars, prototypes, or partial assemblies rather than complete houses under real-use conditions. It is concluded that 3D-printed clay has significant potential to reduce environmental impacts compared with cement-intensive systems; however, its sustainable viability will depend on comprehensive studies that incorporate costs, operation, maintenance, durability, and end-of-life stages
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