Itaca: WASP Tests 3D-Printed Building Model for Sustainable Construction

With the completion of the Itaca project, WASP has realized a 3D-printed building that not only serves as a demonstrator but also meets real construction and energy-engineering requirements. The project was originally presented by Massimo Moretti at Italian Tech Week in Turin; the building has since been fully completed and is operational at the Shamballa experimental laboratory in northern Italy.

The aim of Itaca was to create an additively manufactured building that meets the same technical and regulatory standards as conventional structures. This includes, in particular, compliance with Italian and European standards as well as design for seismic loads. Successful implementation under these conditions is regarded as relevant proof that large-scale 3D printing in construction does not have to be limited to experimental applications.

The building was printed using an advanced configuration of the Crane WASP system. Four robot arms working synchronously produced the load-bearing wall segments in parallel. The building has a footprint of around 165 square meters, and the walls reach a height of 3.8 meters. A lime-based mixture without cement was used as the building material; due to its vapor permeability, it contributes to moisture regulation while also causing lower CO₂ emissions.

The wall structure is 60 to 70 centimeters thick and combines load-bearing geometries with internal insulation made from rice husks and lime powder. This construction principle enables passive temperature stabilization. Technical installations such as electrical wiring, radiant heating, and ventilation ducts were integrated during the printing process, minimizing additional finishing work.

With the completion of Itaca, a real-world example is now available showing how 3D printing in construction can bring together structural, energy-related, and regulatory requirements. The project serves WASP as a reference for future applications in which additive manufacturing not only shortens construction time but is an integral part of a holistic building concept.