The WASP BigDelta Takes Starring Role in Building Shamballa, 3D Printed DIY Village with New Economic Vision

The first 3D printed village is underway. And while some may have been wondering exactly how such a massive project was actually going to happen, as work begins, that seems quite apparent: one house at a time. With the first nearly underway, the WASP team is coordinating with the municipality of Massa Lombarda (Ravenna), Italy as their envisioned village of Shamballa begins to emerge in the industrial district.

The BigDelta, standing 12 meters tall (just over 39 feet), and known as the world’s largest delta-style 3D printer, is going to be responsible for doing the bulk of the work, however. This is definitely a machine worthy of being fascinated with—not to mention the impending village—and we’ve been excited here at 3DPrint.com about getting updates since learning about the BigDelta, as well as ambitious plans for 3D printing in Shamballa.

All about self-production and the ability to print your own world, the WASP team is showing exactly how that’s done as they construct a ‘technological village’ in an area designated a green zone by Massa Lombarda, in full support of this project on Cooperazione Road.

Shamballa is meant to be an eco-friendly village with low energy consumption—and those at WASP point out that this truly will put Massa Lombarda on the map as an important center of technological experimentation with a focus on 3D printing.

“We decided to name the technological village Shamballa 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,” states WASP. “House, Food, Employment, Healthcare and Wellness are the basic human necessities of life.”

 

“In our Shamballa we’ll print houses and vertical vegetable gardens of different sizes. There will also be a laboratory for compact desktop printer to make objects (furniture, biomedical, jewelery, ceramics). Thanks to [a] collaboration with some artists we are developing a cultural project.”

Not only is this a green area, a technological village, and one that’s eco-friendly, but the do-it-yourself concept is emphasized, and being put into practice as you read today. According to the team, they are working non-stop during the week, and spending the weekends planning activities, as they are inviting all makers who are interested to help 3D print the first house of Shamballa. This house is groundbreaking in all senses as they make history in Italy beginning to build such a unique structure, and one made out of locally found materials, a mixture of terrain and straw that is light and strong, kneaded with a mixing machine and a motor hoe.

The WASP BigDelta 3D Printer at Shamballa

“The working method is simple: for every problem we look for the best solution,” states the WASP team in their latest press release. “Every day we are learning more and more, managing small and big problems, and trying to solve them. The test we started Saturday seems impressive and we have decided to continue to print till the conclusion of the first habitable module.”

Undoubtedly this type of new project comes with some trial and error, and already those working at Shamballa report progress through experience. So far, they have erected a wall that’s a bit under two feet, and they are busy bringing in more equipment as well as looking forward to interaction with other makers who will be helping bring the self-sufficient society of Shamballa together, as they strive to offer basic requirements such as:

• Housing
• Food
• Employment
• Healthcare
• Education
• Art

The DeltaWASP 3MT, another 3D printer we’ve enjoyed following and reporting on, will be arriving at Shamballa shortly, also offering economy in construction as it prints with pellets as well as semi-fluid materials such as geopolymers and clay. They will also begin making furniture at the technological village, starting July 23rd at their open-air workshop.

The WASP team invites anyone who is interested to come and try their hand at using the 3D printers, as well as attending the workshops, with others featuring:

• Vertical vegetable gardens
• Ceramic plate printing
• Kiln construction

“We invite all the Makers who want to turn dreams into action to come here to Shamballa,” says the WASP crew.

For more on Shamballa, stay updated here. Be sure to check out the video below, to catch a glimpse of the Shamballa site and the BigDelta 3D printer, as FabLab Venezia came and worked with everybody from WASP. Is this something you’d enjoy being a part of? Let’s discuss further in the Shamballa 3D Printed Village forum over at 3DPB.com.