PhD graduate Janappriya Jayawardana

The growing challenges of climate change and the need for sustainable practices in the construction industry led Janappriya Jayawardana to pursue a research project that evaluated whether prefabrication could be a viable sustainable alternative to traditional on-site building processes.

His research provides practical tools and strategies for improving green building methods using prefabrication.

It spans the construction project lifecycle, taking into consideration environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainability and including a global lens across Australia and Sri Lanka.

“By offering systematic methods for evaluation, my research aims to influence decision-making processes and could ultimately help the industry improve project efficiency and reduce environmental footprints,” he said.

A key result of Jayawardanage Janappriya’s research was the decision support framework he produced which has immediate and practical utility among project managers, architects and construction teams.

“It helps these teams assess the sustainability readiness of a prefabricated project by identifying areas where improvements can be made at different stages of the project lifecycle – from design through to construction,” he said.

Jayawardanage Janappriya’s deep fascination with the built environment and personal connection to both Australia and Sri Lanka inspired him to explore sustainable alternatives for the industry.

“I’m inspired by everything from the materials and technologies that shape our structures, to the systems and strategies that make them sustainable.”

During his research, Jayawardanage Janappriya uncovered the significant role of social sustainability aspects of prefabricated construction, as well as stark contrasts between Australia and Sri Lanka.

“Worker welfare and community acceptance play a more significant role in the adoption of prefabrication than previously thought.”

“In Sri Lanka, there was a noticeable gap in understanding of the social benefits as compared to Australia.”

“Addressing social factors like job security, skill development and local community involvement could be crucial to accelerating the adoption of prefabricated construction in developing countries.”