This Eco Village in Ecuador is 3D Printed From Cacao Shell Waste Biofilaments | Valentino Gareri Atelier

Australia-based Valentino Gareri Atelier has revealed the design of the Cacao Eco Village in the Manabi province, Ecuador for local farmers that features 3D-printed buildings made from cacao shell waste biofilaments leftover from the formation of chocolate. The project is the world's first international network of eco-friendly and smart villages and a carbon-neutral destination. Apart from the by-products of the chocolate manufacturing process, the structure also utilises local materials such as bamboo and timber. The project will break ground this year. Read more about this innovative green project in detail below at SURFACES REPORTER (SR):

Also Read: Casa COVIDA is a 3D Printed Home Made From Sand, Straw, Mud, Clay And Other Organic Materials | California | Emerging Objects 

Located on the coast of Ecuador's Manabi province, this eco-friendly and visually appealing village is known for the chocolate production process. Farmers in this area produce chocolate by extracting cocoa butter and solids from cacao beans. 

Ecuadorian chocolate manufacturer 'Muze' and non-profit organisation Avanti approached the architect to design a sustainable project. 

Ecuadorian Art Inspired Modules 

Cacao Eco Village integrates various decorative elements such as water tanks on the roofs for rainwater harvesting will be beautifully adorned with Ecuadorian art. 

"The facades will draw inspiration from the wide range of multi-colored Ecuadorian houses and from the cacao trees' colourful fruits," said the architecture practice. 

From Waste To Wonder

The cacao shell waste that represents the 80 percent of the fruits utilized during the chocolate production process is re-utilised for the construction of the village.

Thanks to the 3D printing technolgy, the cacao shell biofilaments are adopted to create parts of the village as the event center pillars and the houses roof planters claddings.

Also Read: World’s First 3D Printed Stainless Steel Bridge in Amsterdam by Joris Laarman | SR Project Update

Programs

The village will contain a cacao-processing chocolate factory along with an educational and research center, with co-working and co-living spaces. It also has an events center that will feature pillars clad in cacao shell waste.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities 

The village also encompasses a large network of cycle tracks and pedestrianized boulevards that enable people residing in the village or the visitors to experience the multiple amenities by bike or on foot. 

There are also available charging stations for electric cars. Further, only cars and trucks are allowed to drive in selected areas around the industrial unit.

Triangular Modules

The project contains three modules and each module has a unique shape. This modularity improves the speed of construction, reduces the costs and allows for different planning arrangements and sites configurations.

Each group of modules that make up the village will contain palm trees and large expanses of grass. The firm believes that the innovative and ecological structure will help to reduce carbon footprint, minimise resource dependency, avoid waste, and increase income.

"Cacao Eco Village will be the Silicon Valley for circular economy innovators," the firm concluded.

Project Details

Did you like the project? What do you think about the use of waste materials in construction? Tell us in the comment section below:

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