Focus Forums

Mass timber and panelised construction are two related methods of building structures using prefabricated components.

Mass timber construction involves using large, solid wood panels and beams that are engineered to be incredibly strong and durable. Cross-laminated timber (CLT), glued-laminated timber (glulam), and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) are some of the primary materials used in mass timber construction. These materials are made by bonding together layers of wood using adhesives, resulting in panels or beams that are much stronger than traditional timber.

Mass timber panels can be prefabricated offsite and then transported to the building site for assembly, which can significantly reduce the amount of time needed for on-site construction.

Panelised construction, on the other hand, involves using prefabricated panels made from a variety of materials, including wood, steel, and concrete. These panels are constructed offsite and then transported to the building site for assembly. Panelised construction can be used for walls, floors, and roofs, and the panels can be customized to meet the specific needs of each building.

Both mass timber and panelised construction are becoming increasingly popular due to their sustainability, efficiency, and versatility. They can be used to build a wide variety of structures, from single-family homes to high-rise buildings, and the prefabricated components can significantly reduce the time and cost of construction.

Paul Kremer - prefabAUS Chair of the Volumetric Modular Focus Forums

Paul Kremer’s work covers a diverse portfolio of prebuild and panelised construction technology. His work at XLam supported the establishing the first Cross Laminated Timber(CLT) plants in Australia and New Zealand.

Paul is an accomplished CEO and holds several academic appointments including, as an Adjunct Associate Professor in Engineering at Deakin University and Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne in Infrastructure Engineering.

Paul’s contribution on several prefabricated construction steering committees culminated in the development of important frameworks for education and training programs, which are significantly transforming and modernising the construction sector. His industry/research interests include construction law in the emerging technologies sector and prefabricated construction systems/strategy development and integration.

Paul is the founder of the International Association of Mass Timber Construction and host of the Mass Timber Construction podcast.

Who should attend?

Builders, property developers, government, procurement specialists, materials suppliers, architects, engineers

Scheduled events TBA

Prefabrication by its nature means repeatable work. The advantage over traditional construction comes from constant learning and evolution to be smarter, better and faster.

In the Technology and Services Focus Forums, we learn about the intricacies and possibilities of prefabricated building services and getting the most out of digital construction technologies.

Building services are the various systems of building components that are necessary to support the basic functions of a building. They include mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, as well as lighting, fire protection, security, and communication systems. These systems are typically designed to meet specific performance standards, such as energy efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability.

Digital construction technologies are rapidly transforming the construction industry, improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enabling the creation of more complex and sophisticated buildings. Some, such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) are now considered indispensable while others, such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Robotics are in their infancy.

Together, building services and digital construction technologies play a critical role in the design and construction of modern buildings, enabling them to be more energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable, and technologically advanced than ever before.

Digital construction technologies

Computer-Aided Design (CAD): CAD software is used to create detailed digital drawings of building components, which can then be used to create 3D models and fabrication instructions. CAD software can also be used to simulate building performance and test different design options.

Building Information Modelling (BIM): BIM is a 3D digital model of a building that includes all the information about the building's design, materials, and systems. BIM helps architects, engineers, and contractors to collaborate more effectively, visualize the building before construction, and identify potential problems early on.

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): VR and AR technologies are used to create immersive simulations of buildings, allowing designers and builders to experience and test the building before it is constructed. VR and AR are also used to train workers and improve safety on construction sites.

Robotics and Automation: Robotics and automation are used in prefabrication to assemble building components quickly and accurately. Robots can also be used to inspect and maintain buildings after construction.

Drones: Drones are used to capture high-resolution images of construction sites, allowing builders to monitor progress and identify potential issues.

John Lucchetti - prefabAUS Chair of the Technology and Services Focus Forums

John is a founding director of Collective Engineering. Prior to that, he was a director in one of Australia’s Leading Tier 1 consulting firms.

John is an active contributor to the construction industry through various industry body involvement, including currently holding positions as committee member on PCA (Victoria) Commercial Office Committee and as a director at PrefabAUS.

John brings not only his engineering knowledge and experience to the forum but also the insight he has of the community of innovators he has worked alongside in science, design, technology and engineering for almost two decades.

Who should attend?

Drafters, engineers, architects, project managers and site foreman’s among others.

If you are ‘hands-on’ in the design side of the industry, this forum will showcase the tools and innovation to keep you at the top of your game.

Scheduled events TBA

Volumetric modular units are large building elements that can be linked together to form complete buildings without the need for an additional superstructure (eg. Framing).

Modules can be steel or timber-based and are often pre-fitted with electrics, plumbing, heating, doors, windows, internal finishes and façades. The units are transported to site and carefully craned into position on prepared foundations.

By assembling volumetric modules in a precision-controlled factory environment akin to automobile manufacturing and assembly, there is a dramatic improvement in productivity, speed of delivery, and quality of product when compared with traditional onsite construction.

Volumetric modules can include steel frame units and panelised systems such as SIPS and CLT, with panels assembled in the factory and delivered to site ready for installation. They facilitate quick construction and can help to overcome labour or material shortages, as well as drive quality or build volumes.

Volumetric units are suitable for any building sector but are particularly popular in the education, healthcare and student accommodation sectors. Applications also include commercial offices, hotels and MEP plant room solutions. They are also becoming popular in the residential market for consumers looking for high-performance, sustainable housing options particularly in remote or rural areas.

Rob Colquhoun - prefabAUS Chair of the Volumetric Modular Focus Forums

Rob is one of prefabAUS’ founding board members. He is also a Director of two prefabrication companies which operate Australia wide: Prebuilt which provides design-led prefab homes, and Precom which focuses on commercial solutions to corporate clients. An engineer by training, Rob has extensive experience in development management, manufacturing and corporate governance. He is passionate about quality building prefabrication.

Who should attend the volumetric modular focus forums?

Builders, property developers, procurement specialists, materials suppliers, architects, engineers

Scheduled events TBA

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, allows the creation of physical objects layer by layer from a digital design. Unlike traditional manufacturing methods, which usually involve subtractive processes like cutting or drilling away material from a larger block, additive manufacturing builds up the object one layer at a time.

The process typically starts with 3D modelling software that designs the object (or building). Then, the software slices the design into individual layers and generates instructions for the 3D printer to build each layer. The printer then applies the material, in construction it is usually concrete, layer by layer.

One of the most significant advantages of additive manufacturing is that it enables the creation of complex, customized designs that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional construction methods. This is particularly useful in architectural design, where unique shapes and forms can be created to suit the needs and preferences of the client.

Additional benefits of additive manufacturing include;

Reduced waste: Traditional construction methods often involve significant amounts of waste, as materials are cut to fit specific dimensions. With additive manufacturing, materials can be used more efficiently, reducing waste and lowering costs.

Lower labour costs and improved safety: With additive manufacturing, many tasks can be automated, reducing the need for manual labour and reducing the need for workers to perform dangerous tasks, such as working at heights or in confined spaces.

Sustainable construction: Additive manufacturing can help to reduce the environmental impact of construction by using recycled materials and reducing waste.

Prof Tuan Ngo - prefabAUS Chair of the Additive Manufacturing Focus Forums

Tuan is the Research Director of the ARC Training Centre for Advanced Manufacturing of Prefabricated Housing (CAMPH) at the University of Melbourne. He is also the Director of the Asia Pacific Research Network for Resilient and Affordable Housing.

Over the last 20 years, he has carried out significant research collaborations with industry to develop new building materials and systems and perform R&D experiments of prefabricated modular building structures. Prof Ngo has won a number of prestigious scientific awards, including the prestigious Eureka Science Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia in 2013. He has been working as an expert on many projects to protect critical buildings against extreme events (blasts, impacts, fires and earthquakes).