ITALY’S WASP UNVEILS WORLD’S
FIRST 3D PRINTED HABITAT
Italian additive manufacturing firm WASP has unveiled the world’s first 3D printed structure, featuring a circular model of housing entirely created with reusable and recyclable materials sourced from local soil, carbon-neutral and adaptable to any climate and context.
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odenamed “TECLA”, it is the first 3D printed construction of its type and based on natural materials and was created using multiple 3D printers running at the same time. WASP hopes the project will show 3D printing can be applied to the construction sector in a revolutionary and innovative way while minimising the use of human energy and resources.
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The firm described the process as “a real challenge” as they attempted to maximise the performance of the materials but was at the same time their most stimulating project. The double dome design of the building made it possible to cover at the same time the roles of structure, roof and external cladding, making the house high-performance on all aspects.
It added TECLA can show how humanity can use the natural world around it and can be used to its full extent without resorting to pollution and excess waste. WASP claims their projects come at little-to-no cost and the team developed their own 3D printers, inspired by the Potter Wasp, to undertake their projects. The project was developed using indepth research undertaken by the Italian
