WASP builds “Shamballa” – a research center for sustainable 3D printing construction

The Italian company WASP (World’s Advanced Saving Project) is expanding its commitment to sustainable construction methods with its new project “Shamballa.” Nearly ten years after the original concept, the company is now unveiling an eight-hectare site in northern Italy that will serve as a research and production hub for 3D-printed architecture and ecological living environments.

Founded in 2016, WASP was built on the idea of using 3D printing to address basic human needs – from housing and food to energy and culture. One of the company’s key innovations is the large-scale 3D printer “Crane WASP,” which uses natural and locally sourced materials for construction. Through its subsidiary WASP 3D Build, the company now also operates as a construction contractor in the field of additive building.

The new “Shamballa” site aims to realize the vision of a sustainable and technologically interconnected habitat. According to WASP, more than one million euros have been invested in the project, which is being developed in collaboration with the company Olfattiva. In addition to technical research, ecological regeneration is a core focus: on previously unused farmland, more than 500 heritage fruit trees and around 50,000 medicinal and aromatic plants are being cultivated to promote biodiversity.

The first structure under construction is “Itaca,” a fully self-sufficient 3D-printed farm. It is based on a circular economy principle that integrates energy, water, and food supply into a closed system. By 2026, additional energy-efficient buildings, infrastructure, and biotope structures are planned for the site.

With Shamballa, WASP aims to demonstrate how additive manufacturing, sustainable materials, and ecological agriculture can merge into an integrated system. The official opening is scheduled for spring 2026 and will establish the site as an open laboratory for research, education, and international collaboration.