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SEPTEMBER 2026
Building 4.0 CRC has entered its final year, and our focus remains squarely on delivering high-quality research that helps address the pressing challenges facing Australia's building and construction sector.
This quarter, we launched what is likely to be the final CRC research project – Project #127, the Smart Home Living Lab – bringing the total number of projects to 96 over the 7-year CRC program.Developed in partnership with Holmesglen Institute and Monash University, Project #127 will explore how housing can be systematically adapted to support future models of living with disability, ageing at home and community-based care.
New reports address practical industry challenges:
- The Project #90 report makes practical recommendations about how drones can complement in-person roofing inspections, addressing the very real issue of how to manage water ingress safely.
- The Project #55 report examines how technologies such as blockchain and smart contracts can improve transparency, coordination and resilience across the construction supply chain. The findings are timely, given the sector continues to grapple with financial pressures and insolvencies, highlighted recently when the Bathla group (one of Australia's largest affordable housing developer) entered administration.
In the lead up to completing the CRC's term, we are curating our research outputs under key themes and will fresh our website, to make it easier for users – practitioners, researchers and policy makers – to find and use the resources they need.
At the same time, work on the National Housing Platform continues. While separate from the CRC, this national initiative builds on foundational research undertaken through Building 4.0 and demonstrates how ideas developed through collaborative research can translate into broader industry impact.
Pleasingly, the CRC's foundational research continues to be recognised for its excellence. Recently, Building 4.0 CRC-related work received two Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA) Dean's Awards, recognising our long-standing partnership with Holmesglen Institute and work in independent living and healthy ageing research infrastructure. These awards are a testament to the researchers, industry partners and practitioners whose collaboration has made these achievements possible.
As always, thank you for your continued support and engagement. Read on to learn more about our activities over the past 3 months.
Prof. Mathew Aitchison
CEO, Building 4.0 CRC
NATIONAL HOUSING PLATFORM LAUNCHED
In early September, Building 4.0 brought together government representatives for the National Housing Platform (NHP) kick off. Most states and territories will be involved in developing the platform, which is supported by the Australian Government.
The kick off session introduced the Building 4.0 team, outlined the initial program of work and explored how participating jurisdictions can work together while responding to their different housing priorities.
The session also introduced System 600, the technical design and assembly system at the centre of the NHP. It has been developed through a partnership between Building 4.0 CRC and Homes NSW, bringing together research, design, construction and industry expertise to explore a more productive and scalable way of delivering housing.
Built around a 600mm dimensional framework and common design rules, System 600 enables standardised, repeatable building products to be combined in different ways, supporting the principle of standard parts, not standard designs.
We are interested in hearing from manufacturers, suppliers and technology providers whose products support a more industrialised approach to construction. If you are interested in finding out more about System 600, complete the registration form.
AWARD WINNING RESEARCH
Building 4.0 CRC research recently received two Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA) Dean's Awards:
- Dean's Enterprising Research Team of the Year – This award recognised the significant 7-year partnership between Holmesglen Institute and MADA's Future Building Initiative, to address Australia's construction skills shortage through innovative workforce development, landmark qualifications and sector-wide translation of Modern Methods of Construction
- Dean's Award for Excellence in Research Infrastructure – This award recognises the pioneering work of the National Centre for Healthy Ageing Independent Living Lab: a technology-enabled home environment using Modern Methods of Construction to co-design user-centred solutions for healthy ageing and accessible living.
Congratulations and thank you to the researchers, practitioners and industry partners whose collaboration made these achievements possible.
NEW PROJECTS
Project #127 Smart Home Living Lab – This project will transform a surburban house into a demonstration, education and research facility that can help older Australians maintain independence, wellbeing and quality of life in their own homes.
Partners are Holmesglen Institute and Monash University.
NEW REPORTS
Water damage to buildings is costly, affecting building performance and people's health. Often, water gets in through roofs, but they can be difficult to inspect in person.
Project #90 found remotely piloted aircraft systems – or drones – can complement in-person inspection works. The project report sets out recommendations for their use, such as:
- Use drones where they they the most difference
- Build industry and regulator capacity.
Project #55 explored how smart technologies like blockchain and smart contracts can help address some of the challenges facing Australia's building and construction industry:
- Supply chain disruptions
- Coordination difficulties between contractors and subcontractors
- Limited transparency in contractual changes
- Meeting productivity targets.
The report sets out a framework for examining different contracts choices.
Project #124 explored the structural robustness and fire safety of light gauge steel (LGS) for mid-rise developments. It involved 2 sub-projects:
- Design for resisting progressive collapse for mid-rise LGS buildings developed a new joist-to-joist bottom plate connection that increases tying resistance, helping prevent collapse during extreme events.
- Fire resistance of LGS floor systems investigated the ambient and elevated-temperature behaviour of high-strength LGS floor joists, trusses and walls systems to establish reliable fire resistance levels.
RECENT EVENTS
Project #95 researchers A/Prof. Duncan Maxwell and Darcy Zelenko were at Autodesk University 2026 in Las Vegas, displaying a 1:10 architectural display model of the System 600 apartment prototype. The model uses a sectional doll's house format to illustrate the spatial, construction and services logic of System 600.
Prof. Mathew Aitchison presented a keynote address at the Transforming Construction with Offsite Methods and Technologies Conference at Northumbria University, Newcastle on Tyne, UK.
Prof. Chris Knapp was part of a panel on AI and robotics in real estate and construction at the Urbanity Conference, discussing issues such as repeatability, volume and scale and jurisdictional differences.
Adj. Prof. Daryl Patterson, Leah Singer, Tim Butler and A/Prof. Dane Miller presented on System 600 at a webinar for the Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia.
Prof. Chris Knapp was part of a panel at the South East Queensland Council of Mayors annual conference, discussing the future of housing delivery and how it can help address the housing needs of one of Australia's fastest growing regions.
ELEVATOR INITIATIVE PROFILES
The Elevator Initiative engages with small and medium enterprises that are passionate about transforming Australia’s building sector. This year, we're profiling some of our members.
Candor
Candour is an architectural prefabrication company focused on improving not only how buildings are made, but how prefabrication is designed and integrated into architectural projects from the outset.
Founded by architects, Candour grew from the recognition that many prefabrication systems focus heavily on manufacturing and construction, while overlooking the design process required to successfully incorporate them into complex architectural projects. Candour combines design intelligence, digital tools and advanced timber fabrication to bridge this gap, working collaboratively with architects, builders and engineers from early design through to manufacture and installation.
Candour provides solutions across three key areas:
- its panelised prefabrication platform for architectural buildings
- bespoke solutions for complex timber buildings and structures
- large-scale timber fabrication packages for major construction projects.
Since being founded in 2021, Candour has delivered more than 20 projects across Australia, ranging from architect-designed homes to major commercial and institutional projects, including:
- the façade package for the University of Tasmania’s Forestry Building, involving more than 9 semi-truck loads of timber and members up to 12 metres long
- the architecturally complex Ora House in Melbourne, combining prefabricated and conventional construction
- a prefabricated display suite for Milieu’s Elsternwick Gardens development, designed with the potential to be relocated and reused as rural retreat pavilions.
