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Dear Colleagues
2023 has been a challenging year for Australia's building industry, underscoring the importance of the CRC and our role in creating an innovative, productive, efficient and sustainable industry. We are the forum that brings together the critical ingredients for transformation – industry, research and government.
At the end of our third full year of operations, and as our research activities mature, we are now thinking more about the impact of our research. We are beginning to apply the new knowledge, ideas and technologies we have generated towards built outcomes to better understand how they can work in practice. We now have 5 Light House Projects in train, with more than 20 more in the pipeline.
We are also happy to announce we are expanding our network of partners, exploring new ways to involve them in our activities. We launched the Elevator Initiative at the Annual Conference, and across the year we have welcomed several industry partners who are now collaborating on specific projects.
We are increasing our efforts to build awareness about the critical importance of innovation in the building industry. As part of this advocacy, we are engaging more with governments of all levels and peak industry bodies from across the building value chain.
You can read all about these activities and more in the 2023 Annual Report.
As the final newsletter for the year, I would like to personally thank all our industry partners, researchers and executive team members for your continued efforts and commitment to the CRC. I also want to thank the many new 'friends' of the CRC we have engaged with across 2023 for your interest in what we do. Innovation is a team sport, and it requires us to go beyond our usual comfort zone to explore new connections and the opportunities that arise when we work together.
I wish you all the best for a relaxing holiday season and look forward to seeing you all again next year. Our office closes COB Thursday 21 December 2023 and reopens Monday 15 January 2024.
Best wishes from Mathew and the Team | |
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STAY TUNED FOR OUR HOUSING INNOVATION SHOWCASE
15 May 2024, Melbourne The 2024 Showcase will focus on Housing Innovation. It reflects the now broad agreement between local, state and federal governments that housing supply and affordability is not only a major concern, but in dire need of meaningful innovation.
Absent from many discussions are new ways of doing things. The Showcase will include existing CRC members, as well as new partners, and their ground breaking work to create more affordable, efficient and sustainable housing in Australia. | | |
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Annual Conference 2023 – Culture of Innovation | |
Our second annual conference (Wednesday 11 October 2023 at Monash College in Melbourne) explored the ingredients needed to create the CULTURE OF INNOVATION Australia's building industry needs to face its many challenges.
A key message from the conference was that innovators – both here and overseas – are already working on solutions such as affordable and sustainable housing, flexible and adaptable buildings, an improved supply chain and a skilled workforce.
These ideas and themes recurred in exhibitions, presentations and conversations throughout the day. | |
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We currently have 19 active projects including 3 launched since the September 2023 newsletter: | |
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Partners are A.G. Coombs, Fleetwood Australia, Lendlease Digital, Queensland University of Technology, Standards Australia, Master Building Association Victoria and the Victorian Building Authority | |
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Partners are Fleetwood Australia, Monash University and the University of Melbourne.
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Partners are BlueScope Steel, LTCM, Nexans, Steel Framing Australia and the University of Melbourne.
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Call for Research Expressions of Interest | |
We've released a new research expression of interest. This time, the focus is on projects related to adaptive reuse, retrofits and circular construction. Submissions close 1 March 2023, with projects targeted to launch between April and June 2024. | |
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Elevator Initiative Reminder | |
The Elevator Initiative offers businesses opportunities to advance their technology in the building industry. | | | |
Elevator Initiative partners:
Can attend exclusive invite-only networking events to collaborate with Building 4.0 CRC’s extensive industry partner consortium - Have a branded presence at the Building 4.0 CRC Annual Conference and within the online Elevator Initiative Directory
- Get access to leading global research and data on the property and construction industry
- Take an active part in shaping the industry’s future innovations and products.
For more information, contact our Industry Lead, Claire O'Leary on c.oleary@building40crc.org. | |
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What's Next in Building Innovation (October)
Following the Annual Conference, Building 4.0 CRC took David Flynn (KOPE.ai), Philipp Erler (Gropyus) and Wayne Larsen (PT Blink) to meet with government and industry representatives in Sydney and Brisbane. Participants discussed the latest ideas gripping the building industry from around the world and in Australia and how they can help us build more resilient and efficient buildings faster and cheaper.
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2023 National Innovation Policy Forum (November) Prof. Mathew Aitchison attended this forum at Parliament House in Canberra – an unparalleled opportunity connect with policymakers and parliamentarians to tackle common challenges. This year's theme was Australia's Innovation Ecosystem: Building a Shared Vision.
We also had a booth at the event, exhibiting Finding Infinity's net zero building code that can be applied to commercial and residential buildings now. | |
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Property Council Breakfast on Alternative Housing Solutions (November) Prof. Mathew Aitchison joined a panel of housing industry leaders – Kirsty Smith (Kelen Property), Leah Lang (Queensland Government Architect) and Tamika Smith (My Bella Casa) – to discuss alternative housing models. The discussion ranged from tiny homes to land lease communities, from prefabrication to platforms.
Prof. Chris Knapp wrapped up the event with a vote of thanks. | |
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Other events
Our Executive Team, researchers and students have presented at external events recently. Examples include: | |
- Real Estate Innovation Festival
- Future of Construction Technology Summit
- Future Forum – Building Futures
| | - 2023 PhD Grand Challenges Interdisciplinary Mobility Workshop
- 3 Minute Thesis, UoM Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
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The following final project reports are now available on the website: Many of our researchers and PhD students have released journal articles and conference papers. You’ll find the complete list on our website. | |
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Executive Team Recognition | |
Four of our Executive Team members have been recognised for their contributions to improving Australia's building sector. - Prof. Mathew Aitchison (CEO) was a finalist for the Industry Leader of the Year at the Inside Construction Foundation Awards.
- Prof. Tuan Ngo (Program Leader from the University of Melbourne) was named a fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, as a sustainable building specialist.
- Dr Duncan Maxwell (Program Leader from Monash University) has been awarded a place in Monash's Research Talent Accelerator Program.
- Dr Ross Digby (Skills and Training Leader, Holmesglen Institute) won a fellowship from the Victorian Skills Authority in partnership with the International Specialised Skills Institute.
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