Business View Oceania | March 2021

9 10 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA MARCH 2021 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA MARCH 2021 A new challenge for tomorrow’s AEC design professionals By prefabAUS O ur industry is all about innovation. To succeed, it is crucial for us to showcase fresh, relevant ideas that tackle real issues facing the industry. prefabAUS in partnership with Fleetwood Building Solutions established The Challenge Cup to discover the next generation of built environment professionals. This year, University student teams of architects, engineers and construction are challenged to explore how existing buildings can be extended and adapted using offsite manufacturing to suit adaptive re-use and support sustainable solutions for the built environment. This challenge addresses a critical need in the wake of the COVID-19, with a large global spike in hotel and commercial property vacancies requiring swift building adaptation to support changes of use. Right now, our clients need to reconfigure existing buildings and emerge from the coronavirus pandemic with options in front of them. This brings the adaptive re-use theme of this year’s Challenge Cup into sharp focus. “As the peak body for Australia’s off-site construction industry, we see the Fleetwood Challenge Cup as a great opportunity to showcase innovation in action,” explains Damien Crough, Executive Chair of prefabAUS. “As we emerge from the COVID pandemic with very high vacancy rates, the need to find sustainable ways to adapt, extend and reconfigure existing buildings using prefabrication and offsite manufacturing is more vital than ever before. We look forward to seeing the creative solutions this year’s teams come up with.” Jason Kunkler, Chief Operating Officer of Fleetwood Building Solutions adds, “We believe a new level of fresh and innovative thinking in a collaborative environment is required to push the boundaries to deliver more sustainable, flexible and adaptable accommodation solutions.” Up to four winning teams will be announced at the prefabAUS 2021 Conference. As well as first, second and third prizes, the Fleetwood industry award will be presented to the team who demonstrates the best use of offsite manufacturing and integration of architectural, engineering and construction-related disciplines. • First place $7,000 • Second place $3,500 • Third prize $2,500 • Fleetwood industry award $2,000 Find out more about The Challenge Cup at www. fleetwood.com.au/the-fleetwood-challenge-cup The need to find sustainable ways to adapt, extend and reconfigure existing buildings using prefabrication and offsite manufacturing is more vital than ever before THE FLEETWOOD CHALLENGE CUP 2021 LAUNCHES OPENING L INES