Supply chain, financing innovation and sustainability
The advanced manufacturing sector is characterised by optimised supply chains supported by sophisticated decision support tools to maximise efficiency and competitiveness. Financing models for advanced manufacturing sectors are also well developed with significant engagement from investment banks. By comparison, the prefabricated housing industry has inherited a traditional construction industry supply chain that is fragmented and inefficient. Similarly, as it is producing a housing product, the industry has been pigeon-holed into a retail banking financing structure that is misaligned to the rapid construction times of prefabricated housing. Considering these drawbacks, this research program will focus on mapping new supply chains and creating new financing models for prefabricated housing.
Projects
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Prefabricating affordability: industrialised construction and its effects on housing affordability in Australia
Investigating the need for a more holistic and interdisciplinary approach to developing prefabricated housing ventures with the greater aim of improving housing affordability.
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Application of the principles of the circular economy framework to prefabricated buildings
Looking to apply circular economy framework strategies to the building industry in order to ameliorate resource shortage, reduce waste production and tackle other social and economic issues.
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Effects of envelope design variables on indoor environmental quality of prefabricated houses in Australia
Assessing the performance of prefabricated houses and improve their design in order to minimise life cycle costs and achieve better indoor environmental quality.
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Testing the circular economy principles in the prefabricated construction industry
This research aims to assess the life cycle of a prototype building designed for deconstruction and reuse and compare the results with the standard practices of recycle and landfill the traditional modular building materials
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Design for lean manufacture of low-cost housing
Development of a moving assembly line for low cost multi storey buildings and applying lean principles to the manufacturing processes.