Japan: The first railway 3D-printed building constructed within 2 hours

On Tuesday, July 22, the first 3D-printed train station building was constructed at Hatsushima Station, located on the JR Kisei Main Line in Arida, Wakayama Prefecture. This ambitious project had been announced earlier this year, and its completion demonstrates the speed and efficiency of 3D-printing technology.

It should be noted that the building wasn’t entirely 3D-printed. Instead, engineers used 3D-printing technology to create molds for casting reinforced concrete. With the aid of these 3D-printed molds, the construction team managed to cast the concrete components offsite in just seven days. After shipping the components to the site via four tracks, the on-site assembly took only 1 hour and 15 minutes. In contrast, using conventional methods, such a project would typically require one to two months to complete. 

Additionally, this method allowed for more intricate and curved designs to be created much faster than with traditional concrete techniques. Specifically, the team was able to construct a round roof and add classic-style architectural details. Decorative elements included a concrete slice of mikan orange on the front and a beltfish relief on the side—both highlighting the area's local culinary specialties

Following the success of this project, JR West plans to use the same method to upgrade other aging buildings at rural and unmanned stations like Hatsushima. 3D-printing will help overcome the logistical challenges of working at such sites, where construction can only be carried out during a narrow six-hour window between the day’s last and first trains.

Overall, this project proved that 3D-printing can be an effective solution in railway infrastructure—both cost-efficient and time-saving.