# 3D-Printed Salt Igloos The Saltygloo by Emerging Objects is a Sustainable Structure By Meghan Young | Published 2014-07-16 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinted-salt-igloos References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2014/07/3d-printing-salt-igloos.html) & [emergingobjects](http://www.emergingobjects.com/projects/saltygloo/) [Sustainable architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/picoplanktonics) is made even easier thanks to these 3D-printed salt igloos. Lightweight and eco-friendly, the materials making up these fragile-looking structures were locally harvested from the San Francisco Bay, specifically 109-year-old salt cystallisation ponds in Redwood City. Bonded together using a glue substance, the resulting structures are waterproof, sturdy and transparent. Created by Emerging Objects, an Oakland-based design studio founded by Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello, the 3D-printed salt igloos are connected together by 336 randomly aggregated panels. Psfk notes, "Salt blocks have a long history in the construction of architecture, but the Saltygloo re-imagines the use of the naturally abundant element in a way that is inexpensive compared to commercial materials." Following Saltygloo, Emerging Objects plans to [build a full house](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/qr3d). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 80% | Activity: 96% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Sustainable Architecture:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the potential of 3D printing eco-friendly structures using sustainable materials like salt. - **3D Printing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new applications for 3D printing technology in construction to create lightweight and transparent structures. - **Local Material Sourcing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Investigate the use of locally harvested materials to reduce environmental impact and construction costs. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Architecture:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate 3D printing into architectural design processes to produce unique and sustainable structures. - **Construction:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Implement 3D printing technology in the construction industry to streamline building processes and reduce material waste. - **Sustainable Materials:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new sustainable materials, like 3D-printed salt, for use in various industries, including construction and design. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Fully Recyclable 3D-Printed Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biohome3d.md) - [Organically Printed Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lib-earth-house.md) - [3D-Printed Sturdy Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cobod.md) - [3D-Printed Home Prototypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-tiny-house-lux.md) - [Self-Building Igloo Makers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inland-iglu.md) - [3D-Printed Hotels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-printed-hotel.md) - [3D-Printed Cacao Waste Villages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cacao-eco-village.md) - [Eco-Friendly 3D-Printed Surfboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paradoxal-surfboards.md) - [Compact 3d-Printed Housing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-house-lux.md)