Promoting next-gen thinking in advanced manufacturing
Architectus has joined experts from universities, design practices and engineering firms to promote cutting-edge work in architectural manufacturing – the kind of advancements that will help Australia move to a more carbon-positive future.
The new ARC Centre for Next-Gen Architectural Manufacturing – co-led by the University of New South Wales and Swinburne University of Technology – has won $9 million in grants to fund the exploration and application of more advanced, sustainable techniques and technologies in manufacturing and more training on computation within the profession.
In addition to expanding knowledge and skills, the centre will increase collaboration by connecting world leaders in research with future-focused industry partners and talented graduates, including doctoral and post-doctoral candidates.
Together they will have the greatest potential to progress a digital transformation in architecture – one of the major shifts needed to support more efficient, scalable building solutions and to meet increasingly ambitious climate targets in Australia.
Architectus is one of six industry partners on the initiative, along with Bollinger Grohmann Engineers, Cox Architecture, Grimshaw Architects, Mott MacDonald Engineers and Tzannes Architects. Four institutional partners and four overseas universities are also involved.
The centre’s program includes opportunities to embed PhD scholars within industry, national and international placements, and short courses – all designed to promote learning and knowledge sharing across the profession and beyond. The ultimate aim is to create design tools and frameworks specifically for advanced manufacturing.
Architectus CEO Ray Brown said: “This partnership presents huge opportunities to innovate in the marketplace and foster more sustainable outcomes. We’re looking forward to exploring ideas as a focused, collaborative group committed to change.”
Steve Fox – Principal and National Sector Lead, Digital at Architectus – is spearheading the practice’s involvement. He said: “This initiative will be grounded in leading research that has real potential to transform the way we approach our work. It’s exciting work that’s important to the future of our industry and the places we create together.”
