ChangeMaker 3D, a 3D printing service provider based in Gloucester, England, in collaboration with CyBe Construction, has developed a solution to the shortage of public bathrooms at train stations across the UK – modular, 3D printed Toilet Pods. Transport for Wales first identified the need in 2022 – seeing an opportunity for innovation in train station amenities.
The Toilet Pods Project, commissioned by ChangeMaker 3D and funded by the Clean Futures Fund, leverages 3D concrete printing technology to build restrooms faster, cheaper, and more sustainably. The pods comprise three modular wall elements, printed in under five hours, with 60% less carbon emission than steel alternatives. The design includes nature integration and solar panels – co-created by ChangeMaker 3D, Baily Garner LLP, and CyBe Construction. CyBe, with over a decade of experience in 3DCP technology, printed the walls in the Netherlands before shipping them to the UK for demonstration.
Manufacturing on Demand
The first Toilet Pod model was transported to The Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), a not-for-profit research and technology organization. The pods were tested and showcased during a grand opening on April 30th. This prototype marks a significant step toward addressing the restroom shortage in the railway sector. The project’s success was due to the collaborative efforts, including sponsorship from VGC Group and Axter, who contributed labor and roof design.
ChangeMaker 3D’s experience with 3D concrete printing extends beyond this project. Through their Printfrastructure brand, they offer sustainable solutions for highways, water, and rail. “We’re well on our way now to demonstrate the value the technology can have across UK industries. We want to see that this becomes as commonplace as having a digger or a forklift,” said Natalie Wadley, CEO of ChangeMaker 3D.
By advancing 3D concrete printing, companies like ChangeMaker 3D are crucial in achieving the UK’s Net Zero commitments – paving the way for a future of sustainable, efficient, and affordable construction.
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3D Printed Earth Forest Campus in Barcelona showcases sustainable construction: Notably, the IAAC recently completed the construction of a new low-carbon building prototype that is made from local soil and organic materials. This structure, which is 100 m², features a deconstructed floor plan that includes enclosed, covered and open areas to demonstrate the variety of architectural features that can be made using 3D printing technology and the flexibility of the technology itself. WASP says of the project: “The organic spatial distribution of the project aims to create a multitude of rooms, perspectives, corners, indoor, semi-indoor and outdoor environments, the beginning of a labyrinth that distances itself from repetitive standardized contemporary architectural solutions, and demonstrating a high level of adaptation of buildings to their users’ needs.”
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Author: Edward Wakefield
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