Back in September, we reported on the world’s largest delta-style 3D printer. The appropriately named BigDelta is twelve meters tall, and when it was unveiled by Italian company WASP in Massa Lombarda, it was introduced as a potential means for 3D printing entire houses out of clay found in local soils. The idea is an incredible one, and no one can be blamed for being a bit hesitant to believe it will work, but WASP and the municipality of Massa Lombarda are getting set to prove it with the construction of their 3D printed village. BigDelta will be the center of Shambhala, which will be built in Massa Lombarda’s industrial district. Shambhala will be a high-tech, eco-friendly village with low energy consumption, a village whose inhabitants will be fully self-sufficient without reliance on outside corporations. The agreement to forge ahead with the project was signed yesterday by WASP owner Massimo Moretti and Massa Lombarda mayor Daniele Bassi.
“Massa Lombarda has always been a district interested in innovation, said Bassi. “The important agreement we signed today proves that the cohesion of energy, allegiance and creativity between the Municipality and a capable Entreprenuer like Massimo Moretti, it’s a crucial element of development for our city and the youth who we want to guarantee an adequate future commensurate to their hope.”
“We decided to name the technological village Shambalha from the name of the mythological place that symbolizes the city of peace, tranquility and happiness. A city quoted in a lot of cultural documents for its spirituality and technical advance,” said Moretti. “House, Food, Employment, Healthcare and Wellness are the basic human necessities of life. In our Shambalha we’ll print houses and vertical vegetable gardens of different sizes. There will also be a laboratory for compact desktop printer to make objects (fornitures, biomedical, jewellery, ceramics). Thanks to the collaboration with some artists we are developping a cultural project.”
Construction on Shambhala is set to begin next April. The agreement signed between Moretti and Bassi is good for three years and is renewable. BigDelta, which has been inactive during the winter months, is set to get back to work in its new permanent location – which, if all goes according to plan, will soon be a historic one. Do you think this trend will spread to other areas too? Discuss in the WASP BigDelta 3D Printer forum over at 3DPB.com.