FPJ 97th Anniversary: Building Smarter With Tech

As construction becomes increasingly tech-driven, tools like AI, digital twins, and automation are reshaping how buildings are planned, executed, and monitored. In this interview, Manan Shah, Managing Director of MICL Group, explores the shift from traditional workflows to data-led precision. From BIM modeling and rebar-tying machines to drone surveys and mobile-based quality checks, he discusses how technology is streamlining timelines and improving coordination. Shah also reflects on the broader impact—how digital systems are not just improving efficiency, but quietly redefining the fundamentals of construction in a rapidly evolving urban landscape.

Excerpts from the interview:

How is MICL leveraging technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM), drones, or 3D visualisation to streamline planning and reduce project delays?

At MICL, technology is not a layer we add — it’s the nervous system of our projects. Tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) help us simulate every detail before it reaches site — from clash detection to 4D scheduling and cost optimisation. It empowers our engineers, architects, and planners to work in lockstep, delivering precision with pace.

Drones allow us to see beyond the surface. They monitor real-time site progress, logistics, and even topographic changes, offering insights that improve safety and scheduling accuracy.

Our investment in 3D Virtua visualisation stems from our design-first DNA. Every project — whether it’s a sculptural tower in Tardeo or a cluster redevelopment in Ghatkopar — begins with immersive renderings. They’re not just for customers, but for regulators, consultants, and even craftsmen — aligning everyone around a shared design intent.

Precast and modular construction are gaining global traction for their speed and efficiency. Is MICL implementing these methods in current or upcoming projects?

We’ve long believed that the future of construction lies in precision-led industrial methods. Our use of MIVAN aluminium formwork systems enables us to achieve monolithic quality with unmatched speed — particularly critical in high-rise and redevelopment projects where time is non-negotiable.

We have been actively exploring precast components – not just for speed, but to ensure consistency and sustainability. We’re piloting prefabricated utility shafts, bathroom pods, and façade systems to minimize rework and reduce carbon footprint.

Can you share how IoT is being used on your construction sites or in your residential projects—for safety monitoring, asset tracking, or smart living integration?

For us, smart homes are not about gadgets — they’re about intuitive living. Our projects feature Building Automation Systems (BAS) that integrate HVAC, lighting, security, and energy optimisation.

From IoT-based water metering to real-time fire system diagnostics and app access controls, we’re integrating technologies that make living not just comfortable, but efficient and safe. In our luxury offerings, we will be adding AI-enabled concierge systems and predictive maintenance tools, setting new standards in resident experience.

With rising input costs and labor constraints, how is technology helping MICL improve productivity and optimize resource allocation across projects?

Rising input costs are a reality. But we don’t just absorb them — we outsmart them through process innovation.

We use real-time ERP-linked dashboards, project management suites, and digital twin simulations to plan ahead, reduce rework, and allocate labour more effectively. Whether it's rebar tracking, formwork optimization, or on-site inventory control, our systems are built to reduce waste and maximize productivity.

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And it’s not just tech. We believe in pre-planning rigorously — permissions, civil packages, and supplier alignment often begin before our launches. This proactive approach has helped us deliver projects up to 19 months ahead of RERA timelines.

What green construction technologies or materials has MICL adopted to lower its environmental impact?

Sustainability is not an afterthought for us — it's embedded from the blueprint stage. Our buildings are designed for thermal efficiency, with façade studies, window-to-wall ratios, and material selection that cut down on energy loads.

We use low-VOC paints, fly ash cement, and aerated blocks to lower embodied energy. Features like rainwater harvesting, grey water recycling, solar backup, and sensor-based lighting are standard across our new launches. Beyond compliance, we’re now piloting green concrete mixes and carbon footprint audits across projects. Sustainability for us is both a responsibility and a legacy.

How are you integrating automation or robotics—such as rebar-tying machines, concrete-printing tech, or drone-based site inspections—into your construction workflow?

Automation is no longer futuristic — it’s foundational. We’ve deployed rebar-tying machines, concrete pouring monitors, and slab cycle automation tools that reduce manual fatigue and ensure consistency.

We’ve partnered with specialist vendors for factory-finished MEP modules, which reduce on-site delays. Drones conduct aerial inspections, capturing progress and potential red flags before they become problems. We’re also evaluating robotic plastering and concrete 3D printing for specific applications, especially where design complexity demands non-linear thinking. Our goal is to shift from reactive firefighting to proactive precision.

Digital twins and AI-powered project management tools are revolutionizing forecasting and risk mitigation. Is MICL exploring or using these technologies actively?

As leaders in design-led development, we are committed to harnessing the best of global technological advancements while maintaining our core values of customer-centricity, legacy, and execution with integrity. MICL’s evolution into these new tools is deliberate and measured. It is anchored in the conviction that technology should illuminate and elevate every aspect of real estate, from design and delivery to community building.

At MICL, we’ve always championed innovation that enhances not just how buildings look, but how they live. While digital twins and AI-powered project management tools are still emerging in the Indian context, we are actively exploring their potential in select aspects of our development cycle — particularly for project forecasting, quality control, and risk mitigation.

Our “Speed with Soul” philosophy is built on rigorous planning and soulful execution. We pre-plan extensively and begin groundwork before approvals, relying on engineering discipline, while using technology to keep teams aligned, improve quality control, and enrich customer experiences.

Technology is never implemented for its own sake, but must genuinely add value for our residents and communities. Integrating AI fits naturally with that ethos, helping us strengthen our engineering-led, design-first approach. As we pilot more technology-forward processes, our goal remains unchanged: to build sculptural, experience-rich architecture that also delivers with precision and reliability.

MICL has a legacy of engineering-led excellence. How do you strike a balance between traditional construction methods and modern tech innovation?

At MICL, our foundation is built on generations of engineering-led excellence, starting from our work on India’s ports and infrastructure to the landmark real estate developments of today. We believe this legacy is our greatest strength, yet real progress lies in continuously reimagining what’s possible through innovation.

The balance between traditional construction and tech innovation is deliberate and nuanced. Our engineering principles assure rock-solid construction quality, discipline in planning, and reliable project delivery. However, we’ve learned that true transformation comes from blending these strengths with contemporary design ideas and new technologies.

For us, it’s never a choice between “old” and “new.” We use tried-and-tested methods as our backbone, for example, meticulous structural design, rigorous material selection, and proven project management processes. But we overlay this with modern advancements. Our design-led approach, which we call “sculptural architecture,” uses global inspirations and integrates features like advanced building automation and wellness-centric amenities.

As we move forward, our goal is to create developments that honour the legacy of engineering while setting new benchmarks in design, sustainability, and resident wellbeing. In every project, we’re not just building structures, we’re building confidence, comfort, and expressive living spaces that endure.

What role does technology play in quality control and defect tracking at MICL? Have digital audits or mobile-based site reporting made a measurable difference?

Technology plays a crucial role in maintaining quality and tracking defects throughout the construction lifecycle. We’ve transitioned from traditional manual monitoring to a more digitized approach, which allows for real-time transparency and faster resolution of issues.

Mobile-based site reporting apps enable our on-ground teams to log defects instantly, attach photographs, and generate immediate notifications for both engineering and quality management teams. This system has resulted in a measurable reduction in response times and has improved overall accountability on site.

We also conduct real-time quality audits using tablets, ensuring every floor, every stage, every contractor is benchmarked. These logs flow into a centralized analytics dashboard that flags recurring issues — helping us go from correction to prevention. Ultimately, integrating technology has allowed MICL to uphold its legacy of engineering excellence while delivering projects with enhanced quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.

Looking ahead, which construction or real estate technologies do you believe will disrupt the Indian market most in the next 5 years—and how is the company preparing for them?

Over the next five years, several transformative technologies are set to disrupt India’s construction and real estate sectors. Digital twin platforms, AI-driven project management, and advanced prefab construction methods are poised to make the most significant impact.

Digital twins are expected to fundamentally improve everything from design visualization to real-time operations and maintenance. Their ability to simulate construction phasing, optimize energy performance, and enhance lifecycle management will be critical for large-scale urban redevelopment, especially in complex markets like Mumbai.

AI-powered tools will further revolutionize project scheduling, risk assessment, and predictive maintenance, minimizing delays and cost overruns. They also enable more responsive customization, allowing developers to adapt offerings in real time based on evolving resident needs and market dynamics.

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The rise of modular and prefabricated construction is set to boost speed and quality, especially under Mumbai’s cluster redevelopment model, where timelines are restrictive and precision is non-negotiable.

At MICL, we’re preparing for these shifts through select pilot initiatives like testing digital audits, mobile-based site reporting, and real-time project tracking systems to boost quality and transparency. We closely follow global best practices and invest in continuous learning for our teams, ensuring that we not only adopt new technologies, but integrate them to enhance both design excellence and customer experience.

Our belief is clear: technology should serve as an enabler for soulful, high-quality living environments and not just faster construction. By blending our engineering legacy with innovation, we intend to lead the way as these technologies shape the future of Indian real estate.