In an exemplary display of public infrastructure deployment, Japan’s JR West (Japan Railway West) piloted its 3D-printed train station that was built in 6 hours. The project was a collaboration between JR West, architecture studio Neoub and construction company Serendix. The structure, built to serve as the Hatsushima Station in Arida, stands approximately 2.6m tall and covers around 10sqm and is scheduled to open in July 2025.
Constructed in under six hours—between the final train of the night and the first train the next morning; the building is made up of four components, including the roof and walls, all manufactured using a 3D printer that applied mortar, with reinforcing steel placed inside the hollow sections before being filled with concrete. According to JR West, the finished structure offers earthquake resistance comparable to that of reinforced concrete homes.
In addition to the incredibly rapid deployment, the total construction cost is estimated to be around half that of conventional reinforced concrete buildings; making the project a cost effective and sustainable solution for public infrastructure.
