Winsun Uses Recycled Material to 3D Print Sustainable Bus Stop in China

When you’re waiting outside for public transportation, it’s nice to have someplace to sit down and get out of the elements – that’s why they invented the simple, but ingenious, bus stop. The Shanghai-based engineering, architecture, and construction company Winsun, which recently presented at what’s being touted by 3D Printhuset as the largest 3D construction printing conference, is bringing innovation to the tried and true bus stop, in the form of 3D printing technology.

The sometimes controversial Winsun, which is also known as Yingchuang Building Technique, knows a thing or two about 3D printing in the construction industry. The company, already well known for its 3D printed office buildings and landscaping projects, is in the midst of a collaborative effort with the Saudi Arabian government to 3D print 1.5 million homes in five years, and this summer signed a 3D printing agreement, worth $1.5 billion, to lease 100 of its own 3D printers to a contractor in Saudi Arabia.

Now, the company wants to use its 3D printing technology to benefit the people of China, with the world’s first 3D printed bus stop. While China has recently seen the start of a 3D printed toilet revolution, Winsun is bringing the bus stop revolution to the country, with its first bus stop located in the culturally iconic town of Fengjing Ancient Town, Jinshan. The 3D printed bus stop was placed on Fengjing Road Four out in the country, in the Jinshan Garden. According to the company, it was actually 3D printed in the garden in Zhangjiang, and then shipped out to the bus line for use.

Winsun has long promoted the use of clean, recycled materials to build sustainable interior infrastructures and houses, and last year 3D printed garden villas out of recycled massive construction waste in Suzhou, as a part of an initiative to promote low-carbon construction.

The company did the same thing with its 3D printed bus stop, which was based on the development concept of harmonious environmental protection, combined with art, culture, nature, science, and technology. Winsun reused raw, recycled building waste materials to construct the bus stop in just one night, which surprised passengers at the stop who didn’t realize the structure had been 3D printed.

Previously, the bus stop had housed only a stop board, and if you look at the surface of 3D printed bus stop frame, you will find traces of the original gray 3D printing ink, which Winsun says “is a mean to express nature by high-end luxury brands.”

Zhang Bing, the secretary of the party committee in Fengjing, introduced the 3D printed bus stop, which is now being used as a pilot demonstration; a small desk will be added to the stop later.

Winsun’s 3D printed bus stop is part of a new project revolving around a ‘science & technology city’ in Fengjing, which promotes the application of technology for local enterprises. Other 3D printing projects, besides the bus stop, include a 3D printed road, technology town, and a 3D printing technology experience garden. China has been increasing its focus on 3D printing and advanced technologies as a matter of policy, and the country will likely only be seeing more and more innovative structures and developments.

What do you think about this 3D printed bus stop? Let us know your thoughts on this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share in the Facebook comments below.