LAPO NALDONI has a degree in Building Engineering and Architecture from Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Italy. He developed his thesis focusing on mud constructions and robotic informed deposition on tensioned fabrics. Currently, he is a member of the WASP R&D team and works on 3d printing at different scales with polymers and fluid dense materials. Mainly his research is focused on the use of soil-based mortar in 3D printing at the architectural scale and topological optimization for additive manufacturing. He frequently collaborates with Co-de-It in several workshops on digital fabrication and he is teacher assistant of Architecture Planning (Prof. Alessio Erioli) at Alma Mater Studiorum, Bologna. He has worked as a computational designer at Mario Cucinella Architects (IT) and Zacchiroli Associati (IT).

WASP merges technology, sustainability and innovation with a holistic approach intended to minimize the environmental footprint of contemporary manufacturing processes via 3D printing. Inspired by the potter wasp, which builds its own nest with locally sourced mud, the company envisions building dwellings with locally sourced natural materials. The soil, available all over the world, could become the most affordable and carbon-neutral material to respond to the increasing world housing needs. Since 2012 WASP, has been developing replicable processes across technology, design and material science to make on-site construction via 3D printing a viable way to build with a circular and resource-saving approach. In 2018 WASP launched Crane WASP, the world’s first modular and multilevel 3D printer designed to collaboratively build singular and even more extensive architectural works.