Correspondent Conor Knighton Looks at the History of Adobe and How Ancient Adobe Materials Are Being Merged With 3-D Printing Techniques.

For thousands of years, civilizations around the world have built houses out of earth — whether it be mud brick, wattle and daub, or rammed earth. Now, adobe (the practice of making mudbricks) has become today's "it" building material, from museums around the world designed using adobe to do-it-yourselfers constructing homes from the very dirt beneath their feet. Correspondent Conor Knighton looks at the history of adobe and how ancient adobe materials are being merged with 3-D printing techniques.

The segment originally aired on May 17, 2026. It explores the revival of this ancient construction method and its modern applications, highlighting how traditional earth-building practices are being combined with cutting-edge technology to create sustainable and innovative structures. The piece showcases the growing interest in adobe as a building material, from high-profile museum projects to grassroots DIY efforts, and examines what makes this age-old technique relevant again in contemporary architecture and construction. By blending historical context with current trends, the report illustrates how the oldest building material is finding new life in the 21st century, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional construction methods and appealing to both professional architects and amateur builders alike.