Cura Salad (2025-10)¶

This research presents the development of a novel spatial 3D printing methodology for salt-clay composites, aimed at enabling sustainable and self-sanitizing architectural applications. Grounded in a material exploration process, the project investigates how the naturally antimicrobial and abundant properties of salt can be translated into a viable construction technique, especially for contexts with limited access to conventional building materials and healthcare infrastructure. The study draws inspiration from Speleotherapy, a treatment involving the inhalation of aerosols from natural salt-rich environments to treat pulmonary respiratory diseases, and the traditional topical use of salt in treating skin diseases. These therapeutic precedents inform the speculation that salt could passively contribute to air purification and infection control within built environments, particularly healthcare settings. Siwa Oasis in Egypt, with its abundance of salt lakes and historical use of Karshif (a salt- clay-sand mixture) in the construction of the 12^th-century fortress of Shali, serves as a contextual anchor for the investigation. Building on prior studies involving Liquid Deposition Modelling (LDM) extrusion of salt-based composites, the research introduces a novel robotic spatial 3D printing methodology developed through an iterative experimental process. The final system employs a custom- designed heat-assisted extrusion end effector, that enables free-form material deposition. Critical parameters such as tool orientation, applied air pressure, printing speed, and localized heat application are fine-tuned to improve scalability and geometric complexity. The methodology culminated in the successful fabrication of self- supporting 3D lattices composed of half-arched units, which serve as the basis for proposed architectural applications such as window lattices and wind catchers. While further refinement is needed to address challenges related to structural stability and extrusion consistency, the study offers a compelling proof of concept. It establishes new avenues to connect materiality and human health through the implementation of architectural elements that, based on their material characteristics, can passively enhance overall well- being. Ultimately, this research positions salt-clay heated spatial 3D printing as a foundation for further exploration of antimicrobial, sustainable materials, fostering healthier built environments through the integration of robotic fabrication and material innovation.