3D-printed concrete cabin demonstrates the potential of additive manufacturing in India’s construction sector

At IIT Bombay, a fully 3D-printed concrete security cabin was officially commissioned in early January 2026. The project is considered a practical demonstration object for the use of additive manufacturing in construction and was inaugurated by Institute Director Shireesh Kedare. The cabin was developed by the Department of Civil Engineering in collaboration with the institute’s in-house 3D Concrete Printing Laboratory.

The structure was produced entirely using 3D concrete printing and is based on a specially developed concrete mix formulated at the institute itself. The goal was to achieve sufficient durability and load-bearing capacity while precisely controlling material usage. By depositing the material layer by layer, voids, wall thicknesses, and geometries can be deliberately adjusted, reducing material waste compared with conventional formwork-based construction methods. The entire design process—from parametric geometry and structural analysis to fabrication—was carried out by students.

“This innovative cabin, designed and fabricated entirely using 3D concrete printing technology, demonstrates the Institute’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge research for real-world infrastructure solutions. The project showcases the integration of digital fabrication, sustainable materials and automated construction methods, enabling rapid, cost-effective and environmentally-conscious building solutions,” said Prof. Kedare.

The actual printing process took less than 30 hours. This shows how small to medium-sized infrastructure projects can be realized with relatively little time investment. According to institute representatives, the method is particularly suitable for functional buildings on campus sites, in industrial areas, and in both urban and rural regions. Ravindra Gudi emphasized that the 3D printer used was procured through grant funding and, in addition to design freedom, also offers advantages in terms of the thermal comfort of the printed buildings.

The security cabin will be used in the future at Hostel 10 on the campus and will also serve as a research and demonstration object.

Prof. Najeeb Shariff, Professor-in-Charge of the project said, “This project represents IIT Bombay’s efforts to translate research into practical innovations that redefine conventional construction practices. 3D concrete printing holds immense promise for rapid construction of houses, infrastructure and post-disaster re-development across India”.