During Expo 2025 in Osaka, Aki Hamada Architects unveiled an innovative design that combines 3D printing with sustainable materials to showcase an environmentally conscious approach to architecture. Utilizing the advanced Crane WASP technology and robotic construction, the project offers a unique vision for the design of public spaces.
This rest station is built using materials such as clay, straw, seaweed-based adhesive, and magnesium oxide, all of which are fully biodegradable and decompose without harming the environment at the end of their lifecycle. Its design is inspired by Japan’s geology and was shaped using 3D scans of rocks and natural formations found throughout the country.
All components of the structure—from exterior walls to benches and washbasins—were produced using 3D printing, with some elements, like the benches, printed directly on-site at the exhibition. Additionally, bamboo was used as an eco-friendly alternative to steel reinforcement bars in the project.
This project represents a sustainable approach to architecture, proposed as a response to the uniformity of industrial construction. It serves as an example of nature-inspired design rooted in local materials and more economical methods. Aki Hamada, the lead architect, describes the goal as envisioning a future where humans, machines, and nature coexist in perfect harmony.
At a time when the use of 3D-printed architecture is expanding across Asia and the Middle East, this project has become a prominent symbol of blending advanced technology with natural materials to create environmentally conscious public spaces.