A consortium involving LendLease, universities, and dozens of other companies has received A$28m from the Australian government to try and use technology to transform how buildings are designed and manufactured.
The cash is meant to prime another A$103m worth of investments over seven years from industry, government and research partners to discover how to achieve:
- 30% reduction in project costs through digital technology and off-site manufacturing;
- 40% reduction in project delays;
- 80% reduction in construction waste;
- 50% reduction in Co2 emissions from buildings.
Karen Andrews, federal minister for industry, science and technology announced the grant on Wednesday.Â
As well as Lendlease, Monash University, the University of Melbourne, Donovan Group, BlueScope, Sumitomo Forestry and 24 other partners are taking part in the Building 4.0 research initiative to steer toward a "tech-enabled, collaborative future where the customer is at the centre of each building experience".
The goal is to boost employment position Australia as a leader in the advanced manufacture of buildings.
The initiative will be based at Monash University in partnership with the University of Melbourne, and in collaboration with the Queensland University of Technology.
Monash University Professor Mathew Aitchison, is interim CEO of Building 4.0.
"By leveraging this government funding and our deep collaboration with research and training partners, we are committed to putting the Australian industry at the forefront of global developments," he said.
It will bring together architecture, design, planning, construction, engineering, business, information technology and law to develop new industry-wide practices and protocols.
Image courtesy of Building 4.0 CRC
