Sand tectonics is a material-based architectural design system that employs sand self-formation behavior and salt crystallization as active agents in the design and fabrication of compressive forms with a designed life-cycle. Digital and physical prototyping methods correlate the material, design, and fabrication systems in a coherent workflow of production. The Sand tectonic system extends Frei Otto's experiments on sand self-formation by hardening the emergent sand forms with the sodium thiosulfate saline solution, which crystallizes when cooled, bonding with the sand. The developed method of hardening sand with the salt instantly returns a solid material with remarkable strength. No water is needed to make the material, only sand and salt. The solid material is castable, sprayable, fast hardening, recyclable, and reusable with zero-waste. It fast hardens at room temperature without the need for burning, additives, or air contact.
