Originally reported and written in May 2023, this story has been republished as part of our archival content.

Last December, the Indian Army inaugurated its first ever three-dimensional (3D) printed house dwelling unit for soldiers in Ahmedabad. The highly appreciated two-storey structure is claimed to be disaster-resilient and complies with zone-3 earthquake specifications. The structure was erected in roughly 12 weeks by utilising the 3D-printed foundation, walls, and slabs.

Behind this project is Ahmedabad-based startup MiCoB, which has incorporated the latest 3D rapid construction technology to construct the structure.

#IndianArmy constructed its first 3D Printed House Dwelling Unit for soldiers at #Ahmedabad in 12 weeks time, incorporating the latest 3D Rapid Construction Technology. The building is earthquake resilient and follows green building norms.#InStrideWithTheFuturepic.twitter.com/awiMA5PjOK— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 29, 2022

#IndianArmy constructed its first 3D Printed House Dwelling Unit for soldiers at #Ahmedabad in 12 weeks time, incorporating the latest 3D Rapid Construction Technology. The building is earthquake resilient and follows green building norms.#InStrideWithTheFuturepic.twitter.com/awiMA5PjOK

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 29, 2022

“We did it in a pre-fabricated 3D printing model. Columns were made of steel, and we placed foundation pedestals and 3D-printed wall panels. We kept the wall cavity hollow for better insulation,” Shashank Shekhar, the CEO, tells The Better India.

“Construction has evolved in the past 100 years, but 3D printing is going to change the way construction is done,” adds the 31-year-old.

Apart from the Ahmedabad unit, his startup has 3D printed and delivered 30 bunkers and three building structures for the defence........

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