Serendix and JR West build Japan’s first 3D printed railway station overnight

Japanese construction technology firm Serendix completed what it described as the world’s first 3D printed railway station, replacing a wooden shelter that had stood at Hatsushima Station in Arida, Wakayama Prefecture, since 1948.

The project was carried out in collaboration with West Japan Railway Company (JR West) and architectural firm Neuob, with an ABB industrial robot playing a central role in manufacturing the structure’s prefabricated components.

The station building is a single-story structure covering approximately 108 sq ft, and measures 6.3 meters wide, 2.1 meters deep, and 2.6 meters tall at its arched roof. Its four elements — a roof, a back wall, and two corner sections forming the side walls and floor — were produced over seven days at a factory using an ABB IRB 6700 robot arm equipped with a Vertico nozzle. The components were printed from a fast-setting mortar, then reinforced with rebar and poured concrete before being transported to the site.

Assembly took place during the six-hour overnight window between the final train service and the first of the following morning, with the four elements installed on-site in approximately two hours. JR West’s Naohiro Ohashi told reporters that conventional methods would have required one to two months of construction. “We were able to install them in about two hours — so there is an advantage in terms of speed,” Ohashi said.

Serendix framed the project as a direct response to Japan’s shortage of construction workers and rising labor costs. “The construction industry has been severely impacted by rising labor and material costs, as well as a shortage of skilled workers,” said Mr. Sato, Chief Operating Officer of Serendix. “Our 3D printer-based construction approach can reduce labor costs and produce all building materials from mortar. By cutting both labor and material expenses, we believe this initiative can address the challenge of rising prices.”

The station’s exterior incorporates relief designs depicting mandarin oranges and cutlassfish, two regional products of Arida City. Neuob founder Hiroshi Ota said the geometry was deliberate. “Rounded designs are costly and difficult to achieve with concrete construction using formwork,” Ota stated. “We chose curved, soft shapes to take advantage of this benefit. Furthermore, to reflect local characteristics, we expressed the local specialties, mandarin oranges and cutlass fish, in relief, which is another feature uniquely possible with 3D printing.”

Hatsushima Station is scheduled to open to passengers in July 2025 following completion of interior work, including ticket machines and fare gates.