Ron Wakefield

Open Building (OB) represents a fundamental shift in the approach to building design viewing the overall superstructure (the base building) as one element and each unit/residence within (the infill/fitout) as separable non-standardised spaces. Mass Timber Construction (MTC) is a modern approach to building that utilises large structural wood components to create sustainable and innovative structures. To support and enable an OB approach MTC technology presents itself as a promising activating agent for the benefits of OB. The present study is a case series of five projects. The aim was to find evidence supporting a relationship between OB and MTC. A comparative analysis was performed. Details from the cases are presented and synthesised to identify the most impactful/effective practices of OB and MTC. The case series analysis resulted in the development of a model, at the centre is the core purpose ‘renewable technology and building adaptability' surrounding the core are all the identified themes including ‘renewable technology, circularity and design for disassembly'. Recommendations from the study include promoting the integration of OB in MTC project designs. Adopt a Design for Disassembly (DfD) approach in the designing of future buildings. Foster collaboration between parties involved in the design of the building and include end-users in the conversation. Upskilling design teams through the dissemination of best practices, conducting more research into the combination of concepts, and identifying regions and sectors that will be able to accommodate the combined technology as a viable solution and overcome any barriers to implementation or greater adoption.

To meet global carbon emissions reduction targets we need to adopt sustainable construction practices and transition toward a Circular Economy (CE). The present paper proposes a combination of CE-focused technologies, Circular Building Adaptability (CBA), Open Building (OB) and Mass Timber Construction (MTC) working in concert to support emissions reduction objectives. A total of 158 participants aged between 18 and 65+, from Europe (20%), North America/Canada (32%), South America (3%), Africa/South Africa (3%), Middles East (3%), Asia Pacific (36%) and Southeast Asia & Asia (45) provided open text-based reponses to survey items as part of a larger project. The sample predominately consisted of those who identified as male (87%) and worked as Engineers primarily from the Asia Pacific region and North America/Canada. The paper aimed to assess international construction industry stakeholders’ perceptions of CBA, OB and MTC in delivering a more sustainable construction solution for our built environments. Using a Braun and Clarke (2006) Thematic Analaysis, applying a pragmatist lens, themes interpreted from the data coalesce toward the primary objective of achieving carbon reduction and mitigating the negative environmental impacts of construction activities in the built environment. Themes included, Cost, Economic Barriers, and Market Dynamics Perceptions, Knowledge Gaps, and Education Sustainability, Carbon Reduction, and Environmental Impact, Regulatory and Safety Concerns, Adaptability and the Circular Economy, Open Building Approach and Social Implications. Evidence from the study indicates support for the concepts with participants articulating concerns regarding the adoption of novel construction solutions. The outcomes are discussed, and future research recommendations are offered.

The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) estimated the cost of inadequate interoperability within Property, Construction and Facility Management Industry at $15.8 billion per year. These costs were incurred by the capital facilities industry and represented between 1–2% of its cross-market revenue. Based on project lifecycle phases, the breakdown of these numbers revealed that the highest costs were incurred at the operations and maintenance phase directly followed by construction (NIST, 2004). According to the Institute, interoperability is “the ability to manage and communicate electronic product and project data between collaborating firms’ and within individual companies’design, construction, maintenance, and business process systems.” Interoperability and Building Information Modelling (BIM) are intrinsically linked. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a model-centric management system that “can capture, manage and present data in ways that are appropriate and customary for a particular designer, contractor, vendor or client” (Ibrahim et al., 2003). BIM is steadily gaining industrial acceptance as a replacement of documentation-centric Computer Aided Design (CAD). BIM has multiple representation protocols that are all facing similar barriers to adoption including: commercial, organisational and regulatory barriers (Drogemuller and Hampson, 2004). With the advent of the semantic web this paper questions the future and current shortcomings for Industry Foundation Classes. It also identifies (1) the value of interoperability to the industry and, (2) the key economic incentives for the adoption of Building information modeling. The model is then discussed with industry and business experts. Identification of relevant drivers and barriers for BIM adoption are discussed in relation with (Roger’s 1995) Diffusion Model. Results are expected to assist the effective uptake of BIM.

It is increasingly expected that public sector clients embed work health and safety (WHS) into procurement and project management practices for infrastructure/engineering construction projects. Client practices in relation to the management of WHS were examined in a longitudinal case study conducted in a public infrastructure programme of work in Australia. Control mechanisms for WHS at the client-contractor boundary were explored over a 12-month period. Interviews were held with representatives of client and contractor organisations. Formal control mechanisms were implemented. Initially, the implementation of formal controls created tension at the client-contractor interface as it was interpreted as signalling a lack of trust and client interference with contractors’ processes. However, these tensions were alleviated through the development of interpersonal relationships between client and contractor personnel at a local project level. The resolution of issues at the client-contractor interface was facilitated by individuals who engaged in boundary spanning behaviours to facilitate knowledge sharing and coordination of effort on both sides. Relationship-based control mechanisms supplemented the use of formal controls and enhanced the client’s ability to influence contractors’ WHS practices. The study provides important new knowledge regarding the client’s role in driving WHS performance in infrastructure/engineering construction projects.

Elevator planning is a key factor for high-rise building construction and building design. Up-peak load is a common phenomenon in building elevator design and operation. For example, in the morning, passengers want to take an elevator to their working floors. Up-peak is often used as the critical traffic period for elevator planning in a building. Two parameters are usually used to plan elevators: the elevator’s round-trip time and average waiting time. To easily and accurately obtain the values of these two parameters during up-peak load, we propose an agent-based discrete-event simulation model. The validation of the baseline model is undertaken using deterministic data, after which the model is expanded to the random situation. Then, we use an event to define any arrival pattern of passengers. Finally, we describe various model elements to carry out simulation in other cases. A number of practical examples show that the model can be used as an elevator planning tool for building design and construction.