Although much of the 3D printed architecture we see these days is about creating relatively high-quality housing, this recently completed post office in India is a reminder that the technology has the potential to produce low-cost buildings in a short period of time.
The post office is being hailed as the first of its kind in the world by 3D printer manufacturer COBOD, which has provided the BOD2 3D printer, a model also used to build the massive luxury horse stable and Europe’s first 3D printed two-story building was used house. According to the company’s press release, the project’s 43-day construction time is in stark contrast to the expected duration of traditional construction methods and therefore also reduces costs.
“Construction of the 1,021 square foot (94.9 square meter) building began in March 2023 and was completed in just 43 days, two days ahead of schedule. Using conventional methods [construction firm] L&T estimates that it would have taken approx. 8 months.
“According to L&T, the cost was estimated at INR 2.6 million (US$31,200), which is about 40% lower than the cost that would have been incurred with conventional construction.”
The 3D printed post office measures 94.9 m² and was built in 43 days
COBOD
The construction process itself was very similar to previous 3D printed projects we’ve reported on, and involved the printer extruding a cement-like mixture in layers from a nozzle, following a pre-programmed construction plan, and building the basic shell of the structure. After the robot did its job, human construction workers came and did the rest – including the roof, windows, door and all the necessary cables and wiring.
The post office in Bengaluru, southwest India, is now open for business.
Source: COBOD
