V3D Asia Ltd., a Japan-founded 3D construction printing (3DCP) technology group, has established Nuvah Sdn Bhd as its Malaysian commercial arm.
Operating under the philosophy “Designed in Japan, Built in Malaysia,” Nuvah aims to build Malaysia’s first locally developed 3D construction printing company.
The industrial printing platform is engineered and designed in Japan. Meanwhile, the specialist workforce, materials science, structural engineering and quality control are developed in-house in Malaysia.
Nuvah is working with CIDB as its strategic 3DCP technology partner. The company aims to have 3D construction printing recognised as the seventh system under Malaysia’s Industrialised Building System (IBS) framework.
This would add 3DCP to the six construction methods currently listed under the framework.
The initiative builds on the same framework under which the government raised the mandatory minimum IBS Score to 70 for qualifying private projects from July 2024.
CIDB oversees implementation, with more than 300 IBS manufacturers already registered with the board.
In June 2026, the company also announced a collaboration with SIRIM. The collaboration aims to help develop Malaysia’s first industry standards for 3D construction printing.
Building The Industry, Not Just The Technology
“Malaysia’s opportunity in 3D construction printing will not be built by machines alone,” said Mr Kazuhiro Ono, Group Chairman of V3D Asia.
“Any country can buy a printer. What is far harder, and far more valuable, is a workforce that understands the technology, the materials, and the craftsmanship behind it.”
“Our ambition is not to sell equipment into Malaysia. It is to build the industry here — the printers, the homes and, above all, the people.”
“If we do that properly, Malaysia will not be a customer for this technology in ten years’ time. It will be the region’s supplier of it.”
Developing The Next Generation Of 3DCP Talent
That ambition also extends to the people who will carry the industry forward.
Recently, V3D Asia signed a memorandum of understanding with Sunway University. The partnership will place a V3D construction printer on campus.
This will allow engineering students to gain hands-on experience with the technology.
A parallel effort is also underway with Universiti Malaya.
For Mr Ono, the industry must advance through education. He believes this development should begin in the classroom, rather than only on the job site.
Moving From Demonstration To Real Projects
Nuvah’s own activities are already underway.
Beyond its standards work, the company has completed a pilot project in collaboration with the Government of Brunei.
It is now taking 3DCP from demonstration projects into mainstream residential, commercial and infrastructure delivery.
Nuvah plans to combine the technology with a “Quiet Luxury” design language.
The company will also work through partnerships with established Malaysian developers and contractors rather than compete with them.
The next milestone is Concave House in Eco Majestic, Gentlebre. The project is Malaysia’s first 3D-printed luxury bungalow.
Construction is targeted to commence in November 2026.
This will be followed by a 12-villa development in Bali, Indonesia. The development will be built for sale and targeted for completion by December 2027.
Addressing Construction Industry Pressures
The pipeline responds to ongoing pressure within the construction industry.
An estimated 70–80% of Malaysia’s construction labour is foreign.
Contractors have also flagged ongoing workforce shortages as recruitment policies tighten.
These conditions are creating an environment where automated construction methods could move from novelty to necessity.
Certification Is Key To Scaling 3DCP
Certification will be central to this shift.
Approval would allow 3DCP to be specified in tenders, financed by lenders, insured by underwriters and adopted by developers at scale.
Once established for Malaysian conditions, the same evidence base could support adoption across comparable ASEAN markets.
“This is just the beginning. What we build in Malaysia today is the foundation for what the region builds tomorrow,” said Mr Kazuhiro.
For more information on Nuvah and its upcoming developments, visit Nuvah.