The Transforming Construction Network Plus (N+) is funding nine new research projects to stimulate innovation in the construction industry.
Part of the UK Research and Innovation Strategy Challenge Fund, the N+ is a two-year programme which exists to create a new body of knowledge to contribute to the Transforming Construction Challenge and inform future construction policy and practice.
To meet the major industrial and societal challenges of our time, the construction industry needs input from many backgrounds and disciplines. With £1m to invest during the two years of the project, the N+ has organised two funding calls to support research projects addressing the issues identified within the Transforming Construction Challenge. Announced in August 2019, the first phase supported projects on interoperability, user experience, space tech for hospitals and performance improvement.
Bringing together theory and knowledge to respond to the needs of the construction sector, the N+ is supporting nine six-month long projects through this second funding call. Spanning digital, energy, construction and manufacturing, the research projects bring together ten universities, eight industry partners, one charity and two funded government organisations. Seizing the opportunity to change the way we build in the UK; the projects explore various aspects of the built environment and address several stages across the life of a construction project, from inception through operation and end of life.
More information about the small projects can be found on the N+ website.
A toolkit for Collaborative Construction: a values-centred Approach to AR and MMC Systems for Housing
Led by Mollie Claypool at UCL in collaboration with the Knowle West Media Centre, the project will develop a ‘Toolkit for Collaborative Construction’. It will take a values-centred approach to the use of Augmented Reality (AR) and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) systems for community-led housing projects.
Design Optimisation and Prototyping for Affordable Rural Housing
Professor Gökay Deveci from Robert Gordon University is leading this project, in collaboration with the Glasgow School of Art, Sylvan Stuart Ltd, PASQUILL Ltd and the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, this project will explore design optimisation and prototyping for digitally integrated production and robotic, versus artisan assembly of low-energy and low-carbon affordable rural housing made from whole and milled timber combinations.
Developing a Tool Kit for Knowledge Integration: Envisioning Buildings as Energy service
Oxford Brookes University have secured this project, in collaboration with the University of Southampton, the Active Building Centre, SMARTKLUS Ltd, and Energy System Catapult. Led by Dr Maurizio Sibilla, the team aims to develop a Tool Kit for knowledge integration to envisage buildings as components of future Distributed Renewable and Interactive Energy Systems (DRIs) and contribute towards net zero carbon in buildings.
DigiConCo-Op: Transforming Micro-Project Delivery through Digital Co-Operative Construction
Led by Dr Fred Sherratt at Anglia Ruskin University, in collaboration Keamore Ltd, DigiConCo-Op takes the first steps in creating a fully co-operative procurement and management framework, able to support micro-project delivery through the digital collaboration of local SMEs, resulting in a fair profit-share from the project for those who actually carry out the work.
Digital-Twins in Construction: Towards an ontological Model Development and Integration Framework
Professor Sergio De Cesare heads up this project based at the University of Westminster. It will explore the adoption of a foundational ontology-driven framework to support the development and integration of digital twin models in the construction industry across the project lifecycle and across different organisations.
Digitisation: opportunity or threat for Occupational Health and Safety and Wellbeing in Construction Industry
Based at UCL, this project led by Professor Hedley Smyth and Dr Meri Duryan aims to understand the impact of technological innovation on Occupational Health and Safety and Wellbeing (OHSW) practices, across the complex construction supply chain.
Transitioning to an automated construction supply chain: future business model innovation for SMEs
Professor Chris Harty and Dr Ruth Dowsett are leading this project at the University of Reading. In collaboration with SWMAS Ltd and Exelin, the project will explore potential value propositions for SMEs (tier 2 & 3 contractors and suppliers) who are adopting and implementing robotics in a construction industry with more automated supply chains.
Transpark
Based at the University of Sussex, Dr Ralitsa Hiteva is leading this project in collaboration with the British Parking Association and Stripe Consulting, Transpark aims to unlock opportunities for new business models around parking by facilitating innovation in the way parks are designed, built and operated to enable the integration of energy, digital and transport services in the UK.
Utilising Innovative Methods of Data Capture for Regulatory Compliance Checking
Led by Dr Thomas Beach at Cardiff University, this project aims to determine how “off-the shelf” data collection technologies can be utilised to perform compliance checking of built assets against digitised regulations.
Professor Jacqueline Glass, N+ Principal Investigator said: “We are delighted from the response of the academic community and their partners from industry. There was an excellent field of applications for our second funding round, and we are very pleased to fund these exciting and innovative projects. The scope of the research entailed here spans all stages of the construction project life cycle, and is set to make significant strides forward in transforming the industry. These projects have great potential to contribute to academic thinking about how we design, build and operate buildings and we are very much looking forward to supporting these excellent ideas.”