3D-Printed Earthen Rest Facility at Expo Osaka 2025

31 December 2025: Japanese architecture studio – Aki Hamada Architects, has developed a 3D printed rest facility at Expo Osaka 2025. Built with a Crane WASP Stand Alone system, the structure is part of a broader initiative that includes 20 rest stations. The facility integrates rest areas, toilets, a satellite studio and a pop-up stage within a canyon-like architectural installation.

“We aim to present a glimpse of a future society in which humans, nature and machines coexist – through this project and built with natural materials like earth and advanced robotics,” said Aki Hamada. As part of the design process, the team 3D scanned stone shapes from various regions across Japan, generating composite geometries. These forms were optimized through physical testing to ensure structural stability with soil alone and adjusted to respect overhang tolerances required for 3D printing.

Rather than relying on industrial materials, the project uses locally sourced soil and organic binders, honoring vernacular building traditions while pushing the boundaries of robotic 3D construction. Bench-planters and seating areas were printed on-site using the large build volume of the WASP system and are distributed across the rest area to encourage different ways of use. Wall panels were prefabricated in a facility in Toyama and assembled on-site. A total of 56 uniquely printed blocks form the exterior surfaces.

The project emphasizes ecological responsibility – All materials are biodegradable and locally sourced, allowing the facility to be disassembled or returned to the ground with minimal environmental impact after the Expo. The approach connects robotic fabrication with vernacular craft, demonstrating how future architecture might balance technological innovation with resource efficiency and cultural continuity.