WASP's Itaca: Italy's First Certified 3D-Printed House Completed Near Imola
WASP, an Italian company specializing in additive manufacturing, has finalized Itaca, a 3D-printed residence located near Imola in Emilia-Romagna. This structure is touted as Italy's first certified 3D-printed building that adheres to both Italian and European regulations. Unlike earlier models, Itaca is intended for permanent living. Established in 2012 by Massimo Moretti, WASP employs circular-economy concepts and has created the Crane WASP printer for this project, which utilizes four robotic arms to print walls simultaneously, cutting construction time down to just days. Each wall, measuring 3.8 meters, is printed in 24 hours using a lime-based mixture that complies with safety regulations. The 165-square-meter home features thick walls insulated with rice husks and integrated systems. The surrounding Shamballa site promotes sustainability, ensuring self-sufficiency in food, water, and energy.
Key facts
- Itaca is Italy's first certified 3D-printed house, compliant with Italian and European regulations.
- WASP stands for World's Advanced Saving Project and was founded by Massimo Moretti in 2012.
- The Crane WASP printer was first unveiled in 2018 and used for the Gaia prototype.
- WASP previously built TECLA in 2021 with Mario Cucinella Architects, a clay-printed dwelling.
- Itaca was built near Imola, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.
- The house has a mandala-based design with four walls and a floor area of 165 square meters.
- Walls are 3.8 meters tall and 60–70 centimeters thick, printed from a lime-based, cement-free mix.
- Rice husk is used as insulation, and the site includes hydroponic units, a green roof, and a geothermal system.
- The print process took just a couple of days for the structure, with each wall taking about 24 hours to print.
Entities
Artists
- Massimo Moretti
- Mario Cucinella
- Anna Lazzaron
Institutions
- WASP
- Mario Cucinella Architects
Locations
- Imola
- Italy
- Emilia-Romagna
- Milan
- Barcelona
- Shamballa