Indian construction giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has completed the country’s first 3D printed post office, which was built in just 43 days using a COBOD’s BOD2 3D construction printer.

COBOD said this is also the first 3D printed post office in the world. Located in Bengaluru, the two-storey building was started in March 2023 and spans a floor area of 94.9 sq m.

According to L&T, the project has an estimated cost of 2.6 million rupees (US$31,200), about 40% lower than what it would have been if conventional construction had been used. With the 3D printing technology, the execution time has also been cut by 80%.

“It is because of the robotic intervention that involves pre-embedded designs, that we were able to complete the entire construction activity in a period of 43 days as compared to about eight months taken by the conventional method,” said George Abraham, head of operations (south and east) at L&T.

The new post office was officially inaugurated in mid-August by India’s Union Railways & Communication Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who underlined the government’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge technologies for national development.

Sharing this achievement in a social media post, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote,” Every Indian would be proud to see India’s first 3D printed post office at Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru. A testament to our nation’s innovation and progress, it also embodies the spirit of a self-reliant India. Compliments to those who have worked hard in ensuring the post office’s completion.”

“Utilising the full form-freedom of 3D construction printing with this masterpiece project, Larsen & Toubro is perfectly showing how the technology is well implemented,” said Simon Klint Bergh, COBOD’s co-founder and head of APAC. “We’re honoured to collaborate with innovators who not only envision the future but actively shape it.”