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By Architect Nof Nathansohn

What if walls could bloom? What if foundations could flower?

"To Grow a Building" stands at the threshold where mechanical precision meets nature's sublime unpredictability. Through innovative 3D printing technology, the project creates structures from soil-based materials embedded with carefully selected seeds that, once complete, awaken to transform rigid forms into living, breathing architecture.

By studying the intelligence embedded in root systems and plant communities, "To Grow a Building" reimagines architecture not as an artifact but as an organism. The design itself emerges from botanical data—each element informed by the plants' specific moisture and light requirements, their mature dimensions, seasonal cycles, and symbiotic relationships with neighboring species. This data-driven approach creates a harmonious ecosystem where plants thrive collectively, their needs and contributions carefully orchestrated. 

This revolutionary approach challenges our notion of permanence. Rather than resisting time, these buildings embrace it—germinating, flourishing, and eventually returning to the earth in a perfect cycle of creation and decomposition. As seeds sprout, their roots thread through the architectural body, not as invaders but as natural reinforcement, weaving strength through biological collaboration.

This new project was made especially for the Venice Biennale 2025, opened last weekend. It includes 14 different species of plants, a structure that is 5 meters in diameter and about 8 kilometers of printing. The installation stands as a remarkable fusion of nature and technology, showcasing the intricate relationship between botanical diversity and human design. 

The seed curation celebrates local wisdom and ecological necessity. Indigenous herbs for nourishment and healing emerge in a choreographed succession throughout the seasons, creating an ever-changing palette of textures and colors. This botanical community doesn't merely ornament but serves—providing food, medicine, and crucial habitat. Pollinators find sanctuary here as buildings transform from isolated structures into vibrant participants in the web of life, supporting biodiversity when our urban environments need it most.

To Grow a Building
Nof Nathansohn

Technical Collaborators:
WASP

Research Associates:
Gitit Linker, Elisheva Gillis, Yuval Ayali, Shai Keslebrener
Botanist: Tomer Farag
Cinematography: Idan Zarmon
3D Animation: Andrea Philippon

Supported by:
Rogovin fund for ecological innovation in real estate
MIT Architecture and MIT MISTI
SCE Negev School of Architecture
The city of Massa Lombarda
Volcani Institute - Agricultural Research Organization