Mario Cucinella Architects (MCA) and Italian 3D printing specialists World’s Advanced Saving Project (WASP) are close to completing a "prototype 3D-printed global habitat for sustainable living".

The TECLA was conceived as a way to provide housing for large numbers of people at a time when the population is increasing rapidly but many people cannot afford a home, although it could be easily adapted for other purposes like eco-living.

It is named after an imaginary city described by Italian journalist and author Italo Calvino as a "continuous urban evolution", referencing the efforts to combine technological innovation, a respect for the environment and an understanding of natural processes.

The circular structure is created using clay from a local terrain, meaning it is biodegradable and effectively zero-waste.

It is built using multiple on-site 3D printers that work together, speeding up the construction process and providing scope for creating off-grid eco-cities.

Irene Giglio, architect at MCA, said: "TECLA has been conceived as a 'cell' that is adaptable to any climatic condition. It is not only its infill, but also its overall shape that is able to adapt.

"The other possible configurations of TECLA haven’t been released yet, but the one you see has been designed for the specific location and climate, thus demonstrating the great freedom given by the technology, if compared to traditional building techniques."