CRC aims for backing to boost “advanced manufacturing of buildings”

The $28 million, 28-member Building 4.0 Cooperative Research Centre bid will be announced on Friday, led by Monash University, Lendlease, Donovan Group and University of Melbourne.

According to a statement from Monash University, the CRC aims to apply technologies including data science, artificial intelligence and robotics to improve all stages of building delivery. It highlights the potential for economic impact through positioning Australia “as a leader in advanced manufacturing of buildings.”

Potential outcomes through digitalising building are claimed to be a 50 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, an 80 per cent reduction in construction waste, a 40 per cent decrease in production delays, and a 37.5 per cent decrease in project costs through off-site manufacturing.

The bid follows the announcement last month of a feasibility study announced by industry minister Karen Andrews last month for growing the prefabricated housing sector. 

Monash Professor Mathew Aitchison, interim CEO of the 4.0 CRC, said, “R&D carried out in the CRC will demonstrate that the building industry can come together to solve the big challenges of our times, delivering buildings that are more efficient, cheaper and sustainable, without sacrificing quality.”

“With our involvement in the CRC, we want to transform the way the industry collaborates, which we think is the key to unlocking major improvements in the sector.”

Results of the bid will be announced in December.

Members include BlueScope Steel, CSR, and Schiavello Manufacturing. More info on the CRC can be seen here.

Picture: Siemens

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