Project
EARTH3D starts: training for building with 3D printed earth
A new Erasmus+ partnership from Poland, Portugal, the Netherlands and Estonia sets out to close the training gap in 3D printing with raw earth.
On 1 October 2025, EARTH3D (Enhance Vocational Education and Training in 3D Printing Raw Earth Technology) began. It is a twelve-month small-scale partnership co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme through the Polish National Agency, the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE).
Why 3D printed earth
Construction is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions and waste in Europe. 3D printing with raw earth combines one of the oldest building materials with digital fabrication: walls and building elements are printed layer by layer from local soil, with little transport, almost no waste and very low embodied energy.
The knowledge, however, is scattered across research papers, experimental pavilions and individual companies. Architects, engineers, urban planners, material specialists and recent graduates who want to work with the technology have very few structured training resources. EARTH3D was set up to fill this gap.
What EARTH3D will offer
- A Best Practice Guide presenting selected 3D printed earth projects from around the world, analysed by material, technology and architectural relevance.
- A free e-learning course with six modules, from basic concepts to working with printing equipment, with self-assessment tests and a certificate.
- A Networking Hub connecting learners, professionals, researchers and companies working on sustainable construction.
- Content in English, Polish, Portuguese, Estonian and Dutch.
Who it is for
EARTH3D is for people at the start of their careers (recent graduates, junior professionals and VET graduates) and for professionals in architecture, urbanism, engineering and materials technology who want to update their skills.