Cimbra
Forma Systems is now Cimbra
Our company now shares the name of the software we've built for precast producers. Our new home is cimbrabuilt.com, and our flagship product is Cimbra Precast.
Forma Systems is now Cimbra. Same team, new name. Learn more

The intelligence layer for structural optimization in industrialized construction.
What we do
We build optimization software for the construction industry, starting with precast concrete, and expanding across structural systems and workflows to accelerate and derisk bidding through efficient and accurate design generation.
We also run Cimbra Precast for producers. Send us the structural plan for a project you're bidding, and we'll evaluate your existing products against its requirements and send back performance, savings, and reduced piece count, ready to propose as value-engineering options.
Proof
Cimbra (then Forma Systems) partnered with J.P. Carrara & Sons to design, cast, and load-test a shape-optimized multi-stemmed precast slab designed using Cimbra Precast. The full-scale prototype was installed at Structures Congress 2026, supported by a MassCEC InnovateMass grant. Learn more here.
Testimonials
“We were particularly impressed by the multi-stemmed deck slab their software designed; the cross-sectional area was much leaner than expected for the given span and loads, resulting in a section half the weight of a standard hollow core plank. The section performance during load testing was outstanding, proving its robustness by carrying full loads without any signs of distress.”
“What stood out in this project was how readily the shape-optimized precast floors integrated into standard construction practices. From a construction perspective, lighter elements can support simpler logistics, reduced lifting requirements, and faster installation timelines. Coupled with the embodied carbon reduction potential, this type of innovation reflects the kind of practical, scalable advancement that aligns with Turner’s focus on safety, constructability, and driving lower-carbon solutions across the built environment.”
“Working with the team at Forma Systems was a positive experience for Prime Steel Erecting. What impressed us most was the ability of their slab system to provide the strength and performance of conventional precast members while significantly reducing weight. From an installation standpoint, the lighter slabs were efficient to handle and erect, integrating seamlessly into the construction process and contributing to a smooth and safe erection sequence. As a steel & precast erection contractor, we recognize the value that lighter structural components can bring to lifting operations, site logistics, and overall constructability, all while maintaining the structural performance expected of traditional systems. Based on our experience in the field, Forma Systems has developed an innovative and practical solution that represents a meaningful advancement in precast construction, offering benefits to contractors, owners, and the industry as a whole.”
Partners












Flagship product

Cimbra Precast is our rapid estimation tool for precast producers. It evaluates a producer's existing products against project-specific requirements, exploring 20,000 options per second across their actual mold inventory and materials, so preconstruction teams can engineer more competitive bids, faster.
Company
Cimbra (formerly Forma Systems) spun out of MIT's Digital Structures Research Group to bring structural optimization to the construction industry. Our team spans structural engineering, computational design, architecture, and physics-based simulation, combining MIT PhD-level expertise in building technology and structural systems with hands-on experience translating advanced computational methods into deployable solutions for industrialized construction.
Meet the team →Platform
Cimbra Precast is the first expression of a broader platform. The same optimization engine that finds optimal precast floor configurations today can be extended to additional structural systems, manufacturing workflows, and building codes — wherever design decisions are constrained by real manufacturing and construction parameters.
We partner with manufacturers and contractors to deploy optimization where it drives the most value: early in design, before decisions lock in cost and carbon.
News
Cimbra
Our company now shares the name of the software we've built for precast producers. Our new home is cimbrabuilt.com, and our flagship product is Cimbra Precast.
Four shape-optimized prestressed floor slabs, spanning 35 feet, were fabricated by J.P. Carrara & Sons, Inc. and installed by Pinnacle Precast and Steel Erectors Inc. on a residential project. The multi-ribbed design replaces a traditional 12″ hollowcore plank, allocating material only where it's structurally needed.
Business Wire
Forma Systems: A structural optimization platform that automates preliminary engineering to create code-compliant, fabrication-ready designs that reduce material use and cost, starting with precast concrete.
We work directly with precast manufacturers and structural contractors. If you're evaluating Cimbra Precast or interested in a solutions engagement, get in touch.