Globally, the built environment and construction sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for a staggering 37% of global emissions. The production and use of materials used in construction such as cement, steel, and aluminum have a significant carbon footprint.

As areas like Fishermans Bend undergo significant transformation and new built works, innovation in the construction sector will be key to making Fishermans Bend a low carbon community, as is identified as one of the eight sustainability goals in the Fishermans Bend Framework.

The Hivepod project responds to this problem by piloting and showcasing new technologies and innovative approaches to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment and construction sectors.

Working with a range of partners, Organica Engineering seek to pilot and showcase cutting-edge, low-carbon building technologies—namely 3D concrete printing, up-cycling of demolition waste, and the applications of advanced circular economy concrete materials—in a real-world setting at Fishermans Bend. 

Using 3d printed examples of a small temporary, de-constructable building such as a high quality site shed, the project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of rapid, sustainable construction methods that reduce waste, accelerate build times, and create unique, design-flexible structures.

The project also seeks to raise awareness of how next-generation construction methods can significantly reduce embodied carbon and overall environmental impacts, whilst also demonstrating feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and scalability for the broader building sector.