Photo credit: arstechnica.com
Innovative 3D-Printed Shelter at Hatsushima Station
Hatsushima Station, situated in the town of Arida, is a relatively quiet railway stop in Japan, frequented by a modest number of commuters. Arida, with a population of approximately 25,000, is known for its cultivation of mandarin oranges and scabbardfish. The town, like many others across the country, is experiencing a population decline, which has contributed to a decrease in train ridership. Currently, Hatsushima sees one to three trains per hour, providing service to about 530 passengers. The station’s wooden structure was aging and in need of replacement, and plans suggest that the new station could be even smaller in scale.
What makes this replacement noteworthy is its role as a pilot project for large-scale 3D printing in constructing custom-designed rail shelters. The construction firm Serendix, known for its 3D-printed homes costing approximately $38,000 for a 538-square-foot unit, has taken on the challenge of creating a new shelter for Hatsushima. In an impressive feat of efficiency, the entire structure was constructed in around seven days, as highlighted in a report by The New York Times.
The crafted shelter was transported in four segments by train and assembled on-site. While reports vary, one source from Futurism estimates the assembly took “just under three hours,” and a more detailed account from the Times suggests it took around six hours to complete the setup. Notably, the structure was ready by the time the first train arrived at 5:45 am, showcasing a significant reduction in construction time compared to traditional methods that typically require days or even weeks.
The newly constructed shelter stands at a height of 2.6 meters (8.5 feet) with a total area of 10 square meters (32 square feet). Although it has already been assembled, further enhancements, such as the installation of ticket machines and finishing touches, still need to be completed. The new shelter is anticipated to be operational by July, as reported by the Japan Times.
Source
arstechnica.com