After seeing the birth of a Starbucks café and a train station made using additive manufacturing, the technologies have been used for yet another new architectural breakthrough. This time, a more modest, but innovative structure, has been brought to the public’s attention: a 3D printed bus shelter. The year 2025 seems to be marked by a creative effervescence in the field of architecture, driven by additive manufacturing technologies and advanced design approaches. This has been seen in Slovakia, where COLLARCH, in collaboration with Architekti Šebo Lichý and ICE Industrial Services, recently unveiled an unusual bus stop.
The bus shelter combines 3D printed concrete with a sophisticated parametric design, resulting in a shelter with an artistic flair that goes far beyond mere practical functionalities. Called “Lipského”, the shelter is recognizable by its oval shape and visible layers, reminiscent of the layers of rock found in nature. It is an original way of rethinking public space and showing that even everyday urban objects can become both useful and artistic, thanks to new technologies.
3D Printing and Urban Design
This 3D printed new bus shelter was installed as part of a street extension project, designed to facilitate travel in a fast-growing neighborhood. The design of this bus shelter, thought out down to the smallest detail, is based on an approach that is both technological and sensitive to its environment. Entirely modeled using a parametric design system, the structure adopts a fluid, organic form that blends naturally into the surrounding urban fabric.
Furthermore, the outside of the bus shelter, which was 3D printed using concrete, is not simply aesthetic: it responds to precise climatic challenges. Its slightly westerly orientation limits direct exposure to the sun during the hottest hours of the afternoon, while providing protection against prevailing winds. Discreet openings positioned on the south-east side ensure both better air circulation and good visibility, contributing to a feeling of safety for users.
To complete the ensemble, an elegant and discreet roof made of glass and steel adds a touch of lightness to the whole. The 3D printed bus shelter’s roof uses Stopsol reflective glass to control heat gain while allowing natural light to filter through, guaranteeing comfort all year round, whatever the weather. Particular attention has also been paid to the bus shelter’s interior: integrated lighting makes it welcoming day and night, while the seats, also 3D printed, are made of larch wood for warmth and sturdiness.
What do you think of this 3D printed bus shelter? What architectural marvels made with additive manufacturing do you think we’ll see next? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel. If you are interested in more 3D printing news in the automotive and transportation sector, visit our dedicated page HERE.
*All Photo Credits: designboom