Introduction to Prefab Modular Design and Construction

Overview

Prefab Modular Construction is a smart, innovative construction technique which delivers projects with a reduction in project duration, minimised wastage, improved safety, and high quality. This short course aims to introduce prefab modular construction and design to engineers, architects, and builders to enhance their knowledge and skills and apply the technique to their next project.

Course structure

This is the first short course in a three-part series. The following two courses will be more advanced and build on the knowledge gained in this introductory course.

The first course introduces Prefab Modular Construction including conceptual design through lectures, tutorial examples and case studies. Content will be spread across five days comprising 2.5 hours each day.

Speakers

Professor Jay Sanjayan, introduction.

Professor Shan Kumar, Course Convenor

Shan is a professorial fellow at Swinburne University of Technology and the Current National President of Concrete Institute of Australia. As the head of innovation team at Hickory from 2013 to 2019, he was responsible for the production of smart innovative prefab technology at Hickory Building System (HBS).

George Konstandakos

With a background in mechanical engineering, George comes from an accomplished career in the automotive industry. Through his roles as CEO at Hickory Building Systems and General Manager at Timber Building Systems, which he led as a start-up company, George has become a key spokesperson for prefabrication. Most recently, as Head of Design Make, George lead a team responsible for delivering prefabricated mass timber building solutions for Lendlease projects around Australia.

Joyce Ferng

Joyce has been delivering complex and challenging projects across Australia, United Kingdom and Singapore for over 20 years as a chartered professional engineer. With her experience and expertise in Systemised Technology, Joyce is currently leading the AECOM modular initiatives. She is working closely with digital disruptors to integrate technologies from Industry 4.0 with established lean methodologies in the construction prefabrication space. Joyce is an adjunct industry fellow at Swinburne and an Industry Technical Advisor to Melbourne University CAMP.H initiative.

Dr Scott Menegon

Scott is a research fellow at Swinburne. Scott has significant industry experience as a consulting structural engineer working on building projects in the health, government, education, transport and residential sectors. Scott’s primary research interests include precast concrete structures; the design and experimental assessment of reinforced concrete walls and columns; and the seismic behaviour of reinforced concrete buildings in Australia and other regions of lower seismicity.

Simon Hughes

Over the past 25 years, Simon has been involved in all facets of precast design and construction Simon joined Westkon Precast in January 2015 and oversees Westkon’s Technical Department, as well as recently starting Precast Concepts Pty. Ltd, primarily involved in offering independent technical advice and conceptual design. Simon is a past president of the Concrete Institute of Australia (Victoria Branch), he is an Australian representative on Commission 6 of the Federation International Beton on Prefabrication, and is the CIA representative and deputy Chair of BD-066 responsible for drafting the Australian Standard AS3850: Prefabricated Concrete Elements.

Tim Newman

Tim is an experienced, professional engineer with a career focused on designing, developing, and validating products for large scale production. During his 18 years at General Motors Holden, Tim has led a range of long-term engineering projects both nationally and across the globe, working with various industry and government stakeholders. He is an established BIM and lean manufacturing expert who has developed and implemented an efficient linear manufacturing system at TBS.

Dwain Frankel

With a background in automotive (defence), Dwain has helped deliver a broad range of prefabricated structures both within Australia and abroad. Dwain’s specialty is not in traditional structural engineering, but in developing structures for the demands of prefabrication, from manufacturing requirements, transport loads and limitations, through to assembly onsite.

Professor Emad Gad, closing remarks.

Note: link to the sessions will be provided prior the course start date.

Contact Information