Future Building Initiative

The Future Building Initiative research team at Monash Art, Design and Architecture is in love with this project realized by andblack design studio. In a region where #traditionaleducation systems dominate the sector, the Bloomingdale International School in Vijayawada highlights the transformative power of #parametricarchitecture in pushing the boundaries of education and challenging conventional norms. It is a first-of-its-kind institute and the only International School in the state of Andhra Pradesh, #India, that has in its brief to bring a paradigm shift in early education through thoughtful #architecturaldesign. It brings the built form, #landscape, and interiors together into a single entity using non-conventional spatial organization, #moderntechnology, and robust materials. The fluid form of the roof – covered in turf and resting on an unobstructed structural space devoid of any internal supports or partitions – has been conceptualized using #computationaltools. The #design breaks away from conventional box-like classrooms, opting instead for fluid, interconnected spaces that promote free movement and interaction. Full-height glass panels replace solid walls, and skylights invite natural light, integrating the interior with the surrounding landscape. The use of prefabricated materials allows for efficient assembly and cost-effective execution. The structural core of the roof has been erected on-site using #prefab metal sections and construction techniques that involved directing built-up beams along the X and Y axes. What do you think? #MMC #futureofconstruction #industrializedbuilding #futureofeducation #educationmatters #designinnovation #efficiency #prefabschools

👨🍳 👩🍳 It is lunchtime for the Future Building Initiative research team at Monash Art, Design and Architecture and ... there is no better topic than discussing "Kitchen"👨🍳 👩🍳 The #kitchen understood as a place dedicated to the preparation of #food, has a long history that dates back to the discovery of the birth of fire in the Paleolithic to the present day. The first idea of a "kitchen" was simply a live fire, used for cooking and heating... and with the arrival of the Neolithic, the first terracotta containers appeared that allowed our ancestors to enjoy the first boilings in history. Instead, to appreciate a real place dedicated to the preparation of dishes, we must wait for the advent of the #RomanEmpire in the Domus (the homes of the nobles) had the culina, the ancestor of the #modernkitchen. Even if rather rudimentary in the #architecture of these rooms, you can find masonry benches (an ancestor of the modern kitchen top) with integrated basins, pots and grills used to roast food. And terracotta vases that served as containers for storing food and drinks. In the #MiddleAges, nobles continued to have large rooms in their #homes dedicated to the production of sumptuous banquets, which were attended exclusively by the servants and were hidden from the eyes of the owners and guests. The architecture in these kitchens featured a large wall fireplace, an open fire built on the ground on which the dishes were prepared using suspended cauldrons, a large table and all the tools needed for preparation hung on the walls. But the real turning point was identified after the Second World War, when a new concept hit the kitchen, which from a private and hidden place became a place to show and admire. The first example of a #modularkitchen was born: a set of furniture that completely furnished the space available. From this moment on, the kitchen became a fundamental part of the house, and over the years it was enriched thanks to ideas in the field of architecture, #design, #innovation of materials and aesthetics. #MMC #futureofconstruction #industrializedkitchen #modularity #architecturelovers #historyofarchitecture #innovativematerials #domus

Today, the Future Building Initiative research team at Monash Art, Design and Architecture would like to discuss Renovation vs Retrofitting. These terms are often used interchangeably but refer to two very different processes. Understanding the distinction between the two is crucial, especially in today’s climate-conscious world. What is Retrofitting? #retrofitting involves making updates and modifications to an existing building with the primary goal of improving its #energyefficiency and #sustainability. Its focus is to reduce the #carbonfootprint of a building, often as part of a broader effort to meet modern environmental standards. Key Benefits: energy savings, environmental impact, enhanced comfort, increased building value What is Renovation? #renovation focuses on updating the appearance and functionality of a building. Key benefits: aesthetic appeal, #personalization, increased livability, higher resale value. Which One Should You Choose? The choice between retrofitting and renovation depends on your users' needs and goals. If the primary concern is to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact, retrofitting is the most suitable choice. However, if the focus is on upgrading the aspect of a building or making it more functional, a renovation might be the better option. #usercentereddesign #reducecarbonfootprint #futureofconstruction #industrializedbuilding #MMC #sustainablearchitecture #researchmatters

"From Blueprints to Bricks: Lego Australia teams up with Multiplex to Build a Better Future" The Future Building Initiative research team at Monash Art, Design and Architecture is throwing you back to the 11th of October, which was the United Nations’ International Day of the Girl: a day promoting #education, #equalopportunity and #humanrights for #girls across the planet. Specifically, Multiplex has a school program that drives female participation in the #constructionindustry The Unstoppable Academy is a mentorship program designed to connect girls with influential leaders in #creativeindustries and empower them to shake up stereotypes, break free from limiting language and shape a future defined by #innovation and imagination. This initiative comes off the back of the 2024 Play Well Study that revealed that 3 out of 4 girls (76%) aged 5-12 years old feel the pressure of perfection and worry about judgement from others on their #creativeideas. Female representation in #construction is crucial for the industry’s future, especially as Master Builders Australia’s The Future of the Workforce report reveals the need for 130,000 additional workers by the end of 2024. The report indicates that the sector is still grappling with significant #skillsshortages, with women comprising only 13.6% of the workforce, despite construction being the second-largest employer in #Australia. This also highlights that industries with pronounced #genderimbalances, such as construction, are more prone to workforce shortages. By providing girls with access to influential mentors and immersive experiences, this program seeks to inspire them to embrace their creativity and become unstoppable forces for positive change in their communities and beyond. Find out more at: https://lnkd.in/gAGKwYnY #unstoppableacademy #careers #futureofconstruction #skills #educationmatters #nextgeneration #enpoweringgirls #femaleinconstruction #skilledtrades #MMC #studentlife

🏗 "Architectural Performance 5 - Work in Progress Pin Up" 🏗 The Future Building Initiative research team at Monash Art, Design and Architecture couldn't start the week in a better way. The Arc Performance 5 Students (led by our #RachelCouper) have worked individually during their "Assessment Two", to apply relevant findings from the collective resource of Case Study Reports from their Assessment One to a #design proposal for one of the #FutureHomes offerings. They selected an eligible Future Homes site and then identified the most appropriate option from the range of offerings from the Future Homes Project for that specific site. Students then re-imagined the project as an #industrializedbuilding project, identifying the most appropriate construction methodology and procurement approach. The main objective of this assessment task was to demonstrate an understanding of contemporary, industrialised #buildingmethodologies and emerging #procurementstrategies. We want to thank all the amazing experts who joined us during this event to provide valuable feedback to students. 👏 Well done everyone! 👏 Camilo Cruz Gambardella Laura G. Savindi Perera Santiago Muñoz Fernando Pavez Jean-Paul R. Kathy Waghorn Timothy Rodgers Six Degrees Architects Victor Calixto Simon McCarthy #leeannekhor Karl-Heinz Weiss #feedbackmatters #architecturaldesign #futureofconstruction #researchmatters #architecturestudents #academialife #studentslife #MMC #offsite #architecturaldesign #monashstudents #designcommunication

The Future Building Initiative research team is starting this week by celebrating what happened last Friday at Monash Art, Design and Architecture. One of our colleagues, Dr Camilo Cruz Gambardella, gave a guest lecture to close the "BArchDes unit Architecture Communications 3", run by another colleague, Dr Victor Bunster, with a bang. 🏗 The lecture's title was "AI in Architectural Design: An Overview and Some Speculation" and showed what is coming in the future of #architecture. The unit introduces students to the possibilities and challenges of #computationaldesign when applied to collaborative work, information management and the development and communication of architectural ideas. The #students enjoyed this opportunity and we are happy to share with our LinkedIn community some of their terrific achievements, whose pics were collected during the unit walkaround. 🏗 ➡ Stay tuned for more news! #architecturaldesign #guestlecture #researchmatters #architecturestudents #academialife #studentslife #AI #offsite #futureofconstruction #specialguest #monashstudents #designcommunication

The Future Building Initiative research team at Monash Art, Design and Architecture would like to celebrate the hard work of these MADA Master student teams who received their feedback earlier today. They worked tough for the whole past week to realise these thermal #inflatablestructures. An inflatable building is a #structure built using two layers of membrane connected together: typically, using spars made from the same #material. The cavity formed between the layers is pressurized with air producing a rigid structural element which allows large-span structures to be achieved. 👏 Well done to all those participating in these projects! 👏 #inflatablestructures #publicart #sitespecific #sitespecificart #buildingmaterials ##upcycling #architecturestudents #academialife #studentslife #designinnovation #masterstudents #monashuni #monashada #teamwork #rachelcouper #tommorgan #lauraharper

The Future Building Initiative research team at Monash Art, Design and Architecture is starting this week by thinking of why build in #stone....still today. Using #naturalstone in home beautification projects may make your spaces feel warm and look beautiful, as well as imbue different areas of your space with a unique connection to #nature. The use of natural stone may offer you benefits like: 🌟 Durability 🌟 Aesthetic Appeal 🌟 Versatility 🌟 Low Maintenance 🌟 Environmental Sustainability 🌟 Increased Property Value Natural stone offers exceptional structural integrity and stability, making it a reliable choice for construction projects: ♻ Load-Bearing Capacity ♻ Resistance to Compression ♻ Resistance to Weathering ♻Fire Resistance ♻ Seismic Resistance Remember, natural stone is a top choice for construction due to its exceptional #fireresistance. It doesn’t burn like synthetic materials, maintaining structural integrity and slowing flame spread. This feature significantly extends emergency evacuation times, potentially saving lives. 🤔 What do you prefer? Building with wood, stone, or both? #futureofconstruction #industrializedbuilding #MMC #naturalmaterials #researchmatters #buildingmaterials #sustainablearchitecture

Today, the Future Building Initiative research team at Monash Art, Design and Architecture is thinking of #wood as a natural choice of building material for the construction of multi-storey buildings. In English, the abbreviation #CLT stands for "Cross Laminated Timber",  a still innovative construction material that is part of the “engineered woods” family. It is made of #glulam arranged in crossed layers, typically in odd numbers, and glued under pressure to form a single timber element with exceptional load capacity in all directions. Among its benefits, we can mention the speed of construction, accuracy in estimating costs, energy performance effectiveness, and excellent performance in case of seismic events, in addition to the #sustainability aspect and lower environmental impact of timber compared to other building materials. Consequently, we'd like to mention the Build-in-Wood project, born to meet the global and European challenges of reducing #GHG emissions from the construction sector, it will develop a sustainable and innovative wood value chain for the construction of multi-storey wood buildings. The ambition of the project is to make optimized and cost-effective wood construction methods common practice in the European construction sector. Shall we learn something from Europe? We are working on projects that can significantly impact the Australian #constructionindustry and we'd like to hear your thoughts. #futureofconstruction #MMC #industrializedbuilding #footprint #biobased #buildinwood #constructionrevolution #offsite #DfMA #prefab #timberconstruction

The Future Building Initiative research team at Monash Art, Design and Architecture decided to start #thisweek with a virtual trip to #Italy to find out more about the Navigli: a system of interconnected canals originally constructed to improve irrigation, transportation, and defence in #Milan and the Lombardy region, which came to play a crucial role in the economic and social development of the area. The first was the Naviglio Grande, constructed between 1177 and 1272, connecting Milan to the Ticino River. Then came the Naviglio Pavese, initially envisioned during the Renaissance. At that time, #LeonardodaVinci, invited to Milan by Ludovico Sforza, made significant contributions to its engineering, designing an innovative system of mitre lock gates that improved water management and navigation, as well as hygiene, transportation, and trade. However, the Naviglio Pavese project gained momentum only centuries later, during the Napoleonic era, and was completed in 1819 with the return of the Habsburgs, linking Milan to the Po River and enhancing connectivity to the sea. Between the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the rise of the first industrial activities in Lombardy, the #NaviglioPavese experienced its golden age, developing a complex and significant economic system along its route.  Although today it become a core part of the Navigli district, the Naviglio Pavese is an ideal route for exploring the province of Pavia, known for its academic traditions, food culture, and stunning works of art and #architecture. The Naviglio Pavese was designed as a navigable canal linking Milan with #Pavia; it draws water from the Darsena di Porta Ticinese dock in Milan and flows into the River Ticino in Pavia following the route of the old ‘postal road’. It is 33.1 km long and approximately 10.8 m wide on the bottom and 11.8 m on the surface. 🚴♂️ 🚴♀️ We are talking about this because is a popular #cycleroute: after 30 kilometres of swift but comfortable pedalling along the Naviglio, you’ll be faced with your rewards 🚴♂️ 🚴♀️ 🚲 This is a classic route for the Lombard cyclists and not only: what do you think of #cycling? What's your preferred bike trip? 🚲 #transport #futureofconstruction #sustainablecities #netzero #sustainabletransport #naturelovers #architecturelovers #cyclingcanals