Workshops

The objective of this workshop is to explore how multifunctional robotic fabrication systems can be adapted to distinct material and building cultures in different regions. In North America, dimensional lumber is the predominant building material, especially for the prefabrication construction industry. The multifunctional robotic systems (one robot with multiple end-effectors) are being developed with this focus. However, the building materials and prefabrication construction methods in Asia are very different from those in North America, which raises the adoption challenge for research and development of digital robotic prefabrication systems across the two regions. This workshop will first introduce one of the multifunctional robotic systems, RoBIM simulator (https://www.robimtech.com/hive), and provide hands-on sessions to explore the capabilities. Then, the participants will form small groups to discuss several prefabrication scenarios in Asia and identify opportunities for robotic adoption. The expected outcomes include a roadmap for research on multifunctional robotic systems and conceptual robotic workflows tailored to regional needs.

This workshop presents CanConstructNZ; a Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Fund programme (~NZD 10 million incl. GST); as a unique national initiative developing a "comparator mechanism" to understand construction demand (projects within the construction pipeline) alongside the supply-side sector’s capacity and capability to deliver. Framed through lean philosophy at the portfolio level, the workshop demonstrates how modelling and decision-support tools can strengthen flow, reliability, and coordinated planning across programmes and project pipelines. Participants will be introduced to the CanConstructNZ-developed platform and associated tools, including relational modelling, agent-based modelling (ABM), dashboards (e.g., Power BI), optimisation approaches (including genetic algorithms), and a composite index that synthesises multiple indicators into decision-ready signals. Through short demonstrations and an interactive co-design exercise, participants will identify key portfolio constraints and map them to appropriate modelling approaches, while defining practical dashboard outputs tailored to different users (clients, contractors, regulators, and supply chains). The workshop will generate transferable use cases, a lean-informed modelling template, and a practical roadmap for capacity and capability enhancement that can be adapted across regions and countries. Further information: https://canconstructnz.org.nz/

This workshop introduces practical process analysis methods, especially discrete event simulation, to help construction organizations move beyond improving isolated tasks and address broader system-level challenges such as logistics constraints, sustainability targets, circular construction, and multi-project coordination. Participants will learn how simulation can reveal workflow inefficiencies, bottlenecks, variability, and operational trade-offs across connected construction systems. The session also shows how these methods support lean construction principles by improving flow, reducing waiting, minimizing unnecessary movement, and enabling more reliable planning through testing alternatives before implementation. In addition, the workshop explores circular construction strategies including material reuse, component recovery, reverse logistics, and matching reclaimed materials to future demand, while addressing real-world uncertainties like timing, transport, storage, and coordination. Through guided exercises and practical examples, participants will gain an accessible introduction to simulation for lean improvement, circular economy initiatives, GIS-enabled planning, and regional resilience.

What if dismantling a building was a puzzle worth solving? Temple Rescue Cat is a hands-on game prototype where players must deconstruct a heritage structure carefully, salvaging members as treasures and navigating structural risks, without bringing the whole thing down. Collapse the temple, and the old cat trapped inside is lost.

Inspired by the logic of Japanese timber joinery puzzle games, the prototype challenges players to rethink deconstruction not as demolition, but as a skilled, methodical process of disassembly, material recovery, and decision-making under constraint. Scoring rewards players for cats saved, heritage preserved, smart technology use, animal and worker safety, and environmental impact.

Designed with K-12 accessibility in mind, the game requires no prior knowledge of construction. Players of all ages, backgrounds, and professions are welcome, and those working in built environment, heritage, robotics, or sustainability fields are especially encouraged to participate and share their perspective. Come play, then tell us what you really think about how we take buildings apart.

This hands-on workshop uses a LEGO-based wind turbine assembly simulation to help participants explore the transition from Line of Balance to Takt Planning in a structured and practical way. Through a two-round production exercise, participants first run a baseline system and collect structured production data to build a Line of Balance and assess system performance. In the second round, a new deadline is introduced, requiring participants to calculate takt time and redesign the production system accordingly. This redesign includes not only sequencing and crew allocation, but also logistics decisions such as material delivery setup, kit-based supply, and workstation layout changes. The workshop concludes with a comparison of the two production configurations, enabling participants to understand how planning and logistics decisions affect flow stability and overall performance while supporting data-driven decision-making through a simplified digital representation of the system.

This workshop examines the practical deployment of digital technologies in construction, including sensing, AI-based modelling, robotics, and data platforms, with attention to both local realities and international perspectives. Although many of these technologies have shown promise in controlled settings, their use in real projects remains limited. Grounded in actual project conditions, the session considers challenges such as regulatory requirements, climate, and site constraints in dense, tropical urban environments such as Singapore, while drawing lessons from global experiences. The workshop will begin with opening presentations by invited speakers both local and international, who will share case-based insights on implementation, integration, and performance validation. A moderated panel and structured discussion segments will then invite participants to contribute their own examples and challenges. Overall, the session aims to identify practical barriers, compare approaches, and explore directions for wider deployment and future collaboration.