Construction Applications of Virtual Reality, Volume I

This book presents the select proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Construction Applications of Virtual Reality (CONVR 2024), focusing on the synthesis of digital innovation and sustainable development within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Themed "The Intersection of Digital Transformations and Virtual Innovation in Sustainable Development and Net-Zero Environments," this edition of CONVR explores how virtual and digital technologies can drive sustainability and contribute to net-zero targets in construction. CONVR 2024 is notable for its comprehensive scope, covering advanced Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) applications, sustainable digital workflows, and the latest advances in green building technologies, among others. It fosters a multidisciplinary dialogue that bridges methodology, technology adoption, sustainability integration, and global collaboration, facilitated by contributions from a diverse international cohort of researchers and practitioners.

This book is an important resource for those at the forefront of integrating digital transformation with environmental sustainability in the built environment, making it an essential read for a wide range of professionals and scholars engaged in shaping the future of construction. Primary audiences for these proceedings include academics, researchers, and students in architecture, engineering, construction management, computer science, and environmental studies. It is particularly aimed at postgraduates, PhD candidates, and early to mid-career researchers. Additionally, industry professionals, government bodies, policymakers, and NGOs will find valuable insights for implementing sustainable construction practices and innovative technologies. 

Dr Ehsan Noroozinejad Farsangi is the Global Challenge Lead for Sustainable Futures and a Senior Researcher with the Urban Transformations Research Centre at Western Sydney University. He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering and previously contributed to the UBC Smart Structures Lab in Canada. He founded and directed the Resilient Structures Research Group and helped establish the Smart Construction and Infrastructure Research Cluster. He serves as an associate editor for journals such as ASCE Natural Hazards Review, Frontiers in Built Environment, and Smart Infrastructure and Construction and manages the SEU–Leeds Joint Research Lab on Intelligent and Resilient Infrastructure. He has led and been involved in several grant applications supported by NSERC, Mitacs, NRCan, and JMI. His research interests include smart materials and structures, construction robotics, resilience-based design, reliability, modular construction, and digital-twin applications in climate-responsive built environments.

Dr Aso Hajirasouli is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture at Western Sydney University, a member of the Urban Transformations Research Centre, and a member of the university's External Advisory Committee. She holds a doctoral degree in Architecture and has served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Florence. Her academic roles include curriculum development and conference organisation for CONVR. Her research focuses on immersive realities, digital heritage, smart design processes, and their application to climate-responsive architecture. She has led and collaborated on grants supported by the Department of Climate Change and CSIRO and is a member of the Australian Institute of Architects. Dr Hajirasouli works in several languages, enabling cross-cultural research and community engagement.

Professor Nashwan Dawood is Associate Dean (Research & Innovation) in the School of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies at Teesside University. Holding a PhD in Construction Management, he leads research in digital construction and project management. He has secured competitive funding from European and UK agencies, industry, and international foundations, directing collaborative projects on Building Information Modelling, multidimensional planning, serious-game simulation, and energy-efficient building technologies. His academic leadership includes supervising doctoral researchers, completing Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, and developing industry-focused research strategies. His interests encompass BIM-enabled decision support, sustainability, industrial decarbonisation, and data-driven information systems for the built environment.

Professor Greg Morrison is the Lang Walker Endowed Chair in Urban Transformations and Co-Director of the Urban Transformations Research Centre at Western Sydney University. He got his PhD in environmental systems engineering. He previously held senior appointments at Chalmers University of Technology and Curtin University, where he established Living Labs and led major sustainability initiatives. He co-founded Climate-KIC Australia, initiated the Circular Economy Living Lab, and directed research programs on smart cities, clean-energy transition, and sustainable materials. His research interests centre on circular-economy policy, community-engaged urban innovation, and integrated environmental solutions for low-carbon cities.