Shamballa: 3D-Printed Sustainable Living Lab Opens in Italy
On June 8, 2026, Shamballa opened its doors in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. This 8-hectare outdoor lab focuses on sustainable living and innovative architectural practices using 3D printing. It’s a collaboration between WASP and Olfattiva, featuring a makers lab, a medicinal botanical garden, and "Itaca," a 3D-printed farm designed to be self-sufficient. The construction methods are cost-effective and comply with local safety and seismic standards. The walls are made from a mix of NHL lime, Geolegante, rice husk, and natural insulation, keeping carbon emissions low. The botanical garden is home to 500 ancient fruit trees and 50,000 aromatic plants for essential oils, plus a vertical 3D-printed garden and a lab for various sustainable products.
Key facts
- Shamballa inaugurated June 8, 2026 in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
- 8-hectare open-air laboratory for sustainable living and 3D printing
- Collaboration between WASP (3D printing) and Olfattiva (aromatherapy)
- Includes 'Itaca' self-sufficient 3D-printed farm
- Building uses NHL lime and Geolegante from Kerakoll for lower carbon emissions
- Botanical garden with 500 fruit trees and 50,000 aromatic/medicinal plants
- Features vertical 3D-printed garden for hydroponic cultivation
- Lab produces houses, furniture, biomedical devices, jewellery, ceramics, and art projects
Entities
Institutions
- WASP
- Olfattiva
- Kerakoll
Locations
- Emilia-Romagna
- Italy