Japan will soon open the world’s first 3D-printed train station, a groundbreaking achievement that will only take six hours to assemble. The 3D printing company Serendix, chosen for the project, will produce each component of the station, with a design that features a minimalist design with a curved roof.
Once prepared, these elements that will constitute the one-story reinforced concrete building will be transported to the site, where the station will be assembled in just six hours. Measuring about 108 square feet, the new station Hatsushima Station will replace the previous ageing wooden structure – a station which serves as an important gateway to Jinoshima, an uninhabited island popular for outdoor activities like swimming or paddleboarding and is close to Arida City, known for its mikan orchards, rice fields and the Zaobashi suspension bridge.
This was announced on March 11 by West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) and marks a significant shift in the world of design and construction. JR West said: “With Japan facing a declining and ageing workforce, introducing innovative technologies such as 3D printing will facilitate the modernisation of railway infrastructure planning.
“We will closely examine the cost for construction, maintenance, and management, and hopefully bring the project to other stations, too.”
Japan is said to one of the friendliest countries in the world and was ranked by Conde Nast as the world’s sixth friendliest country with a score of 93.25 in 2024.
Conde Nast wrote: “The country’s friendly faces have made a well-rounded impression on our readers, as Tokyo coincidentally also ranks sixth in our list of the world’s friendliest cities.
“Besides the company, other reasons to visit Japan include the charming cherry blossoms, snow-capped Mount Fuji and world-class architecture, to name a few.”
The station is in Arida City, a town relatively unknown by tourists and located in the Wakayama Prefecture featuring beautiful orange fields, a rugged coastline and mountainous landscapes.
3D printing presents a valuable opportunity to transform construction by not only reducing construction time but also cutting down on pollution, as traditional construction methods generate significant amounts of carbon footprint through the building that generates dust, emissions from machinery, and the release of pollutants.
In 2022, the construction industry alone was responsible for 18% of large particle pollution in the UK.
3D printing also opens an opportunity for more creative and complex designs, allowing creative architects to envision structures with elegant curves and complex shapes that would be difficult with traditional construction methods.
