Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is on the verge of completing India’s first 3D concrete-printed luxury villas in Bengaluru. M V Satish, Executive Committee Member of L&T, disclosed to Moneycontrol that the project is in its final stages. The six villas, each sprawling over 4,000 square feet, are part of a Prestige Group development. Industry insiders estimate that each villa’s construction cost exceeds Rs 10 crore, bringing the total cost of the project to over Rs 60 crore.
A Technological Leap in Construction
The project, which commenced in January, is utilizing 3D concrete printing technology, a departure from traditional construction methods. This innovative approach involves a robotic arm that constructs the building’s structure by layering a specialized concrete mixture. The mixture is designed to dry quickly and adhere well, allowing for faster construction times.
According to Satish, “We started the project in January and we will be close to completing the 3D printing by August. The rest of the project will be completed by October and is likely to be handed over by December-January.” The project has received regulatory certification from the Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) and is being monitored by experts at IIT Madras. The robotic printers used in the project are sourced from Denmark and India, highlighting the global collaboration involved in this cutting-edge endeavor.
Benefits and Challenges of 3D Concrete Printing
While 3D concrete printing offers significant time savings—completing luxury villas in about one year compared to the 2-3 years required by traditional methods—it remains cost-prohibitive for individual projects. Manu Santhanam, a professor at IIT Madras, noted that for single units, 3D printing is more expensive than conventional construction. However, for larger projects with multiple units, the technology becomes more cost-effective. “Independent units can be designed with unique features, which is not possible in conventional construction,” Santhanam added.
Despite its potential, 3D concrete printing is still at an early stage in India. Current regulations only allow for G+2 buildings, limiting the scalability of this technology for high-rise projects. Furthermore, the technology is capital-intensive, with high import duties on the specialized machinery, which are typically leased from abroad.
Future Prospects
L&T’s successful implementation of 3D printing in luxury villa construction marks a significant milestone in India’s real estate sector. The company has already completed India’s first 3D-printed post office in Bengaluru for Rs 23 lakh, showcasing the potential of this technology. Looking ahead, L&T has received inquiries for more luxury villa projects in Bengaluru and Pune, including from non-resident Indians (NRIs). The company is also collaborating with the Union government to explore further 3D concrete-printed projects.
As L&T continues to pioneer 3D printing technology in India, it sets the stage for a transformation in construction methods, particularly for large-scale affordable housing projects. While challenges remain, the successful completion of these luxury villas could pave the way for broader adoption of 3D concrete printing in the real estate industry.
