UN deploys unique 3D printer to build homes from dirt, waste in Colombia

In order to further sustainable building projects in Colombia, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is planning to utilize advanced 3D printing equipment from WASP (World’s Advanced Saving Project).

The organization will use the Crane WASP, a large-format 3D printer that can print directly using natural resources like agricultural waste and nearby dirt instead of requiring concrete, reports a media outlet.

The equipment is versatile and mobile, making it ideal for use in difficult terrains where large, stationary machines can’t operate. Its low energy consumption makes it suitable for remote areas, including deserts.

UNDP hopes the technology will be crucial in addressing Colombia’s housing shortages, especially in rural regions like forests, deserts, and mountains.

Adaptive building system

Crane WASP is a modular collaborative 3D printing system. It reimagines the traditional construction cranes using digital manufacturing techniques.

The potter wasp, which constructs its nests from natural materials, served as the inspiration for the Crane WASP’s development, which started in 2012. The goal was to develop a large-scale 3D printing technology that would enable the construction of buildings made of locally sourced, natural materials .

It consists of a main printer unit that can be combined in various ways based on the printing area and, consequently, the dimensions of the architectural structure that need to be computed in three dimensions. The single module has a print area of 8.2 meters in diameter by 3 meters in height.

The single module operates independently and can print various materials such as cement, bio- cement , and natural dough. It can be expanded by adding traverses and printer arms, creating a limitless digital manufacturing system.

There’s no need to cover the entire construction site with the WASP Crane’s printing area. The cranes are reconfigurable and can adapt as the building progresses.

According to the firm, when multiple WASP Cranes work together, they create an almost limitless printing area, which can be adjusted by on-site operators to match the evolving architectural design.

Smart housing approach

As of 2023, Colombia faces a significant housing challenge, with 3.7 million households—over a quarter of the nation’s total—experiencing a housing deficit.

According to the World Bank, two-thirds of these families also require structural improvements to their homes. The severity of the issue has prompted the Colombian government to address it through the National Development Plan 2023-2026, aiming to increase housing access for lower-income households, reports 3D Natives .

The UNDP is also contributing to this effort, highlighted by the recent acquisition of a Crane WASP 3D printer for building construction and services.

In a press release, WASP highlighted that the UNDP’s purchase of the Crane WASP aligns with the project’s original vision: to create technologies that provide meaningful benefits to humanity through innovation and research.

The company also expressed hope that the widespread use of these 3D printers will help overcome geographic barriers and promote more sustainable construction practices.

As construction 3D printing continues to grow in popularity, the UNDP may likely consider utilizing this technology in other countries as well, reports 3D Natives.