Imagine an unassuming industrial area filled with warehouses and machinery. You’d never guess that here lies a revolutionary organisation. And yet, that’s precisely what WASP is: a name that stands for a powerful idea—using technology for the benefit of humanity and the Planet.

At the heart of WASP is digital fabrication, a complete shift in mindset that uses machines to precisely place materials. Unlike traditional manual building, digital fabrication stores accumulated knowledge in files, making designs easily replicable and transferable.

3D Printing as a Social Innovation

A key idea for WASP is that the value of an object lies not in its material but in the information it holds and its replicability. This makes 3D printing revolutionary in construction: it enables the reproduction of complex and sustainable designs while making knowledge and skills accessible in remote areas lacking advanced resources or technology.

This democratisation of production through 3D printing represents a true social innovation with transformative potential. By bringing low-cost, sustainable housing to places where it wouldn’t otherwise be possible, WASP aims to help create a more inclusive future for all.

A New Economic Model: Distributed Manufacturing

WASP envisions a new economic model by shifting from large-scale industrial production to distributed manufacturing. In this vision, anyone has the potential to become an independent producer, using local resources and recycled materials to create sustainable and personalised items. This model reduces dependency on big companies and complex, costly production processes, instead fostering a more circular and sustainable economy.

An example? Chairs made from recycled plastics from refrigerators—yet the possibilities are endless, from building components to furniture and everyday tools. WASP imagines an economy that values local resources, reduces waste, and makes ethical and self-sufficient production accessible to all.

Itaca: The 3D-Printed Eco-Friendly House

One of WASP’s most ambitious projects is Casa Itaca, symbolising the ongoing quest for an ideal place embodying the dream of a life in harmony with nature. This eco-friendly and self-sufficient home spans 100 square metres, with an additional 70-metre cellar and a 40-metre greenhouse.

Itaca is a completely off-grid residence thanks to renewable energy sources and advanced rainwater collection and composting systems.The structure is built with eco-compatible materials like 3D-printed earth, which optimises humidity and indoor climate. Recycled plastics are used for furniture and everyday objects, and the home’s open-plan spaces are fully customisable, with walls only in the bathroom.

Inside, a beautiful hydroponic greenhouse provides space to grow edible and medicinal plants year-round, supporting a healthy and sustainable diet.

The Shambhala Mandala Model

The Casa Itaca design is guided by the Shambhala Mandala, an ancient Tibetan symbol representing the universe and the path to enlightenment. The home’s layout is divided into four functional areas, each with its own entrance, corresponding to various aspects of human life and spiritual growth:

East - Form: This area is dedicated to the physical structure of the house. Here we find the main rooms, designed to provide a comfortable and multifunctional environment.
South - Accumulation and Sensations: In this part of the house, spaces are arranged to stimulate the senses and perception. It’s a place to experience physical sensations and accumulate experiences and memories.
West - Discernment: This area is for reflection and evaluating past experiences. It’s a space for meditation, where one can determine what is useful and what is unnecessary.
North - Mental Formations: This is the area where experiences are transformed into knowledge. Here, spaces foster intellectual growth and the formation of new ideas and decisions.
Centre - Consciousness: A place of complete peace and serenity. This area of the house is intended to guide residents daily toward achieving inner balance and expanding their awareness.

In Conclusion

The WASP project, based in Massa Lombarda, Emilia-Romagna, offers an inspiring vision of technology as a means of achieving sustainability. Through initiatives like Casa Itaca, a fully self-sufficient and eco-friendly home, WASP employs 3D printing to promote an innovative approach to building and living, reducing environmental impact and advancing an economy rooted in distributed manufacturing. WASP invites us to envision a future where innovation and respect for the Planet coexist, sharing a regenerative model for a more mindful, collaborative, and resilient society.