Demystifying volumetric construction: A Study of the bathroom pod

  • Investigators

      • Dr Ivana Kuzmanovska
      • Dr Duncan Maxwell
      • Dr Lee-Anne Khor
        • Monash Art, Design and Architecture
      • Dr Robert Moehler
        • Monash Engineering
      • Professor Tuan Ngo
      • Associate Professor Felix Hui
      • Associate Professor Xiumei Liu
        • University of Melbourne
      • Dr Tanja Tyvimaa
        • Queensland University of Technology

  • Partner organisation

    • Lendlease Digital Delivery
    • University of Melbourne
    • Queensland University of Technology

  • Funded by

    • Building 4.0 CRC

  • Undertaken within

Volumetric construction promises faster builds, better quality, and less waste. However, increased transportation costs, structural redundancies, and higher overhead expenses can negate these benefits, limiting its widespread use.

In the Australian construction industry, bathroom pods are one of the few volumetric assemblies that have become commonplace and widely accepted for delivering bathrooms in multi-story buildings. Yet, the extent to which manufacturing methodologies have been adopted in the design and delivery of bathroom pods varies. This project examines the complexities of volumetric construction through the lens of the bathroom pod, unraveling its nuances and intricacies. Research funded by Building 4.0 CRC.