Building the future in new Construction Simulation Hub

Swinburne University of Technology students are stepping into the future with the official opening of our new Construction Simulation Hub.

Equipped with the latest digital tools and equipment in advanced 3D scanning, augmented and virtual reality (AVR) and mixed reality (MR) modelling, the Hub will allow students to design, model, optimise and visualise construction activities.

It will train vocational and higher education students studying construction, engineering, architecture and project management for job-ready futures.

The project is part of Swinburne’s next gen_campus transformation, delivering  campuses for the future where we can learn, connect and innovate together. 

Building strong futures

Vice Chancellor and President Professor Pascale Quester launched the facility on Tuesday 30 July alongside students, key industry partners and government representatives including Chancellor John Pollaers OAM, Member for Kooyong Dr Monique Ryan, Senator for Victoria Dr. Jess Walsh and CEO of BuildSkills Australia Brett Schimming.

As part of the celebration, attendees were shown the Hub’s state-of-the-art Axiom hologram table, linked to tracked 3D glasses and wands, and featuring an external monitor for effective audience viewing.

It includes high accuracy 3D laser scanning systems, advanced sensors for monitoring and state-of-the-art software and hardware.

It compliments other unique engineering and construction facilities on campus such as Australia’s only Trimble Technology Lab, the renowned Smart Structures Lab with its cyber-physical testing capabilities and the Digital Construction Lab with its large-scale 3D concrete printers.

Swinburne School of Engineering Dean, Professor Emad Gad, said the Hub will enhance students’ hands-on experience, further setting them apart in today’s competitive engineering and construction industries.

“Swinburne graduates are already highly sought-after in industry because they have the hands-on experience to operate effectively, solve problems and innovate in complex construction and infrastructure projects,” he said.

“The Construction Simulation Lab will further develop those skills and give our students an unmatched start into their careers.

“These state-of the-art facilities coupled with our recognised expertise places Swinburne as an unparalleled destination for construction and engineering training, upskilling and industry support.”

Meeting industry training and skill priorities

The new Hub will support seven courses across Swinburne’s vocational and higher education streams, including offering Australia’s only Advanced Diploma of Building Information Modelling (BIM) from 2025 in collaboration with Box Hill institute.

BIM is a process for creating and managing information on a construction project throughout its whole lifecycle. This include developing a coordinated digital description of every aspect of the built asset. The technology uses a combination of information-rich 3D models and associated structured data such as product, execution, and handover information.

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Vocational Education, Madelyn Bolch, said Swinburne graduates will be at the forefront of building the cities of the future in a virtual environment, supporting architecture, engineering and construction industry transition to the digital world. 

“BIM is being used across these industries because it encapsulates everything from planning to designing to managing to constructing a project in the virtual world before it’s built in the physical world, all without picking up a tool!” she said.

“There is a growing demand from industry for skilled workers to be digitally literate, creative, collaborative and solve problems in bigger and more complex projects. 

“Swinburne has designed and developed the curriculum keeping these skills in mind – collaborating with industry professionals, associations and governing bodies in the construction industry.”