WASP 3D Prints First Airport Service Building at Milan Bergamo — 7 Days of Printing, 19 Days Total

A New Model for Construction 3D Printing

At Milan Bergamo Airport, WASP has helped 3D print a new airport services structure that shows where construction 3D printing really shines. The small building, named Ol Casél, serves as a rest and relaxation area for customs staff, complete with toilets and seating.

Developed for airport operator SACBO by construction firm EDILCO in collaboration with WASP, the building was completed in just 19 days total — with only 7 days of actual 3D printing. Doors, windows, and the roof were added after printing. The 3D printed walls incorporated locations for easy integration of wiring and other components.

Why This Matters More Than Houses

While much of the attention on construction 3D printing focuses on houses, this project demonstrates a potentially more valuable application: high-security, high-value infrastructure.

"In infrastructure, remote infrastructure, or difficult-to-access infrastructure, 3D printing makes a lot of sense," notes the report. "Not closing down a part of an airport for a few days adds additional savings."

At airports and in military or energy facilities:

• Site security and monitoring costs for temporary workers can eclipse the structure's cost
• Runway or facility downtime costs thousands per minute
• Reduced construction time minimizes risk of unauthorized access
• Remote sites (like Arctic bases) benefit from minimal on-site personnel

The Crane WASP System

The project used WASP's Crane system, introduced in 2018. Key specs:

• Build volume: 8,200mm × 3,200mm
• Print speed: up to 200 mm/s
• Weight: over 700 kg
• Height: over 5 meters
• Pumping system with twin screw extruder

The lime-based mortar used in this project saves on emissions compared to regular cement — continuing WASP's focus on sustainable construction materials.

WASP's Growing Portfolio

This isn't WASP's first rodeo. The Crane has been used to print:

• Buildings in Japan using soil
• An earth-based sustainable home in Italy
• A Dior concept store in Dubai

WASP has always emphasized its mission to "save the world" through 3D printing, developing machines that work with many materials beyond just concrete.

The Bottom Line

Construction 3D printed houses are impressive, but this Bergamo Airport project shows the technology's real power: reducing time and cost in sensitive, high-value environments where traditional construction brings significant security, logistics, and downtime challenges.