Students from Deakin, Curtin and Western Sydney Universities announced as finalists for the 2024 Autodesk Challenge Cup
Eleven cross-disciplinary teams from Australian universities participated in the 2024 Autodesk Challenge Cup this year, focusing on the theme “Smart Building; Connected Communities” and facilitated by Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry peak body prefabAUS. The finalists are announced as “Hexa” from Deakin University, VIC; “Intersected Generations” from Curtin University (WA), and “Modular Makers” from Western Sydney University (NSW).
The students, Australia’s next generation of built design professionals, spent the first half of 2024 figuring out design solutions to answer the question: “how can ‘Smart Building’ connect communities, deliver social capital and foster positive health and wellbeing outcomes?” for a chance to win the Challenge Cup.
Proudly sponsored by Autodesk and facilitated by peak body prefabAUS, the Challenge Cup is now into its fifth year and provides teams with an opportunity to demonstrate the value and versatility of prefabrication and modern methods of construction (or Smart Building) to find innovative solutions unmatched by traditional construction.
prefabAUS Executive Chair Damien Crough said that prefabAUS was delighted to partner in a competition involving the next generation of Australia’s built environment professionals.
“This year’s Challenge is incredibly timely as we grapple with housing scarcity and affordability, and we know that the usual way of building is no longer cutting it. These teams have embraced digital design and advanced manufacturing techniques that demonstrate time and waste savings and enhanced building performance through embracing prefabrication and modular building techniques,” Crough said.
“We are thrilled to announce another innovative group of finalists for the Challenge Cup,” said Autodesk’s Allan Chalmers, Senior Business Development Executive. “The way the AEC industry works today is not sustainable or scalable. For the industry to keep pace, it needs to build more projects in a faster and more sustainable way. The answer is industrialised construction, being able to connect design and make from day one – resulting in faster, high-quality projects with less waste.”
“The quality and level of innovation amongst teams has been incredible and we congratulate the finalists, Australia’s next generation of built design professionals, on their exceptional efforts and innovation,” said Mr Chalmers.
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The Design Challenge
The teams were asked to explore how “smart” building practices can be used to create an architectural intervention that supports real intergenerational connections in built environment programmes. They were then tasked with designing a medium-rise accommodation typology of between three and six storey construction co-located with intergenerational shared education and/or community health services.
The finalists
Hexa – Deakin University (Vic)
The Living Bridge, an innovative six-story structure showcases, cost-effective, and eco-friendly design. Utilising advanced prefabrication and modular offsite construction technologies, this project exemplifies the principles of Industry 4.0 and emerging construction strategies. This showcases how new technologies can provide enhanced mobility, adaptability, and agile design results for living spaces.
Intersected Generations – Curtin University (WA)
“Intersected Generations” is a four-storey mixed-use residential complex located at an entry point of Curtin University that specialises in multigenerational and student accommodation. It benefits from modular construction due to the dynamism of the site and the time-saving aspects associated with prefabricated buildings.
Modular Makers – Western Sydney University (NSW)
The FlexiGrid Pavilion, located within the Georges River Council area NSW, represents a pioneering approach in modular and prefabricated construction, designed to address the evolving needs of urban communities by providing versatile and adaptable spaces for residential and communal functions. This innovative concept integrates advanced building information modelling (BIM) and sustainability principles to create a smart, efficient, and environmentally conscious structure.
The winning team and place getters will be named at the annual prefabAUS conference, Offsite 2024 on 28 August 2024 in Sydney.