The construction sector in India, traditionally slow, labour-heavy, and resource-intensive, is undergoing a significant shift thanks to 3D concrete printing technology. Shashank Shekhar, an IIT Gandhinagar graduate and CEO of Ahmedabad-based startup MiCoB, believes this innovation will fundamentally transform how houses and structures are built.
Founded in 2018 by Shashank Shekhar, Ankita Sinha, and Rishabh Mathur, MiCoB aims to merge art, automation, and construction. The team developed expertise through research and practical challenges observed in the steel industry, leading to practical applications in defence and potentially civilian housing.
Landmark Project: Indian Army’s First 3D-Printed Two-Storey Dwelling
In December 2022, the Indian Army inaugurated its first 3D-printed Ground-plus-One (G+1) dwelling unit in Ahmedabad Cantonment. Built in collaboration with the Military Engineering Services (MES) and MiCoB, the structure was completed in just 12 weeks. It meets Zone-3 earthquake standards, incorporates green building norms, and is designed for disaster resilience.
MiCoB has also supplied numerous 3D-printed bunkers and structures to the armed forces in challenging terrains across Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and other locations. By late 2025, the company reported delivering over 500 impact and blast-resistant bunkers, contributing to more than 650 such buildings nationwide.
How 3D Concrete Printing Works in Construction
3D printing in construction uses large-scale robotic printers to deposit specialised concrete mixes layer by layer, guided by digital 3D models. MiCoB employs a hybrid approach:
- Structural Framework: Steel columns and reinforced cement concrete (RCC) elements provide primary support.
- Printed Components: Walls and certain panels are 3D-printed, often as prefabricated sections assembled on-site.
- Design Features: Hollow cavities in walls enhance thermal insulation. The technology allows for curved walls, complex geometries, and custom designs without traditional formwork (shuttering).
- Completion: 3D printing handles core structural elements (roughly 30% of the work), while electrical, plumbing, finishing, tiling, and painting follow conventional methods.
A notable advantage is weight reduction — 3D-printed walls weigh about 40% less than traditional brick masonry (around 1,100 kg per cubic metre vs 1,800 kg), lowering the overall structural load.
Major Benefits of 3D-Printed Buildings
- Speed: Structures can be built up to six times faster, eliminating lengthy shuttering and reducing timelines dramatically.
- Cost Efficiency: Potential savings of 10-25% through reduced labour, minimal material waste, and no formwork.
- Sustainability: Lower material consumption, reduced carbon footprint, better insulation (cutting long-term energy use), and lighter structures.
- Design Freedom: Enables intricate, custom, and curved architectures that are difficult or expensive with traditional methods.
- Resilience: Ideal for disaster-prone areas, remote locations, and extreme climates, with potential lifespans extending significantly.
- Labour Optimisation: Addresses skilled labour shortages by automating repetitive tasks.
Challenges and Future Outlook
While promising, the technology faces hurdles such as logistics for large prefabricated parts, ensuring material consistency across sites, regulatory approvals, and initial setup costs. On-site printing advancements and skilled operator training will be crucial for wider adoption.
Shashank Shekhar remains bullish: “3D printing is going to change the way construction is done.” He sees a hybrid model becoming mainstream in the next few years, expanding beyond walls to bridges, infrastructure, and affordable housing solutions.
Relevance for India
With pressing needs for affordable housing, rapid urbanisation, and resilient infrastructure — especially in vulnerable regions like the Northeast — technologies like MiCoB’s offer a viable path forward. Alongside other innovators such as Tvasta from IIT Madras, Indian startups are positioning the country as a key player in global 3D construction.
As the technology matures with better materials, on-site capabilities, and supportive policies, 3D-printed homes could become a practical reality for addressing India’s housing challenges — faster, smarter, and more sustainable.
What do you think about 3D-printed homes? Could this technology help solve housing and construction issues in India? Share your views in the comments below!
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