Competence development in advanced and emerging construction technologies

Abstract

Digitalisation is affecting all aspects of the built environment altering the approach in which the design content is conceptualized, project is delivered and buildings are used. This has created a need to provide innovative pathways to successfully equip our next generation of graduates to live up to the challenges of the new competence requirements in the competitive job market. To respond to this demand, presently, Unitec Institute of Technology is developing a new major, ‘Technology ’ , in the existing Bachelor of Construction degree, incorporating advanced and emerging construction technologies across the lifecycle of buildings. Simultaneously with the new major development, Construction Informatics and Digital Technology on a broad spectrum are embedded in the existing majors of the Bachelor of Construction and also in the New Zealand Diplomas of Construction and Architectural Technology. This is a natural continuum to the Building Information Modelling (BIM) integration in the programmes. This research focuses on key digital technologies in the curriculum: Green BIM - BIM Building Performance Analysis, Advanced Computational Design , Advanced Construction Technologies and Digital Technologies in Smart Built Environment. The paper argues a holistic approach towards cutting edge digital construction technologies to be taught in interlinked modules and articulates an implementation strategy that allow s innovative collaborative approaches to face the challenges of the 21st century and beyond.