WASP’s technology at the service of the United Nations through sustainable building
WASP World’s Advanced Saving Project and the UNDP United Nations Development Program have long been united by a shared objective: delivering accessible and impactful solutions that can enhance communities and environments globally. The acquisition of WASP’s technology by UNDP represents a significant milestone in the construction industry and fulfills the very vision that inspired the creation of WASP’s project: to develop technologies that deliver effective benefits to humanity through innovation and research.
UNDP United Nations Development Program has recently acquired a Crane WASP, the Made in Italy architectural 3D printer that can print directly from local soil and natural materials such as agricultural waste. This technology will be used for the construction of buildings and services for the people of Colombia using locally sourced materials.
Crane WASP is the result of a research process that began as far back as 2012. Inspired by the Potter Wasp, which builds its own nest with material recovered from the surrounding environment, WASP’s aim was to develop a large-scale 3D printer that could build houses with natural materials and available on the territory. The strength of Crane WASP lies in its versatility and mobility, allowing it to be used in challenging locations where large, stationary machines can't reach. Its low energy consumption and ease of installation make it possible to use even in remote, desert areas.
The benefits of 3D construction are several, with the main strength lying in the digitization of the process itself. Digital building production allows for the easy and fast transfer of experience and knowledge accumulated during the research phase through digital files. Once these files are uploaded to the 3D printer, the project is generated and can be replicated infinitely, anywhere in the world, especially in regions with different productive capacities from those of the Western world. This approach enables the global dissemination of construction solutions, overcoming geographical limitations and expanding access to more sustainable construction methods.