The Casais Group is pleased to announce the creation, in partnership with the University of Minho, of the “Construction in the Digital Age” Department at a time when the architecture, engineering and construction sectors are undergoing a period of profound transformation, marked by the transition from traditional methods to more digitalised, efficient and sustainable approaches.
This project, the first of its kind in Portugal, will focus on areas such as robotics, additive manufacturing (3D printing) of concrete, modularisation, prefabrication and integration with BIM models – all essential pillars for more industrialised, efficient and circular construction. The goal is to transform these concepts into everyday practice, thereby creating a more digital, predictable and sustainable industrial ecosystem.
With strong alignment between industry and academia, this initiative aims to develop scientific knowledge with direct application to business, and so reinforce the Casais Group’s commitment to innovation as a driver of growth and competitiveness. PhD researcher Filipe Jorge Silva Brandão was hired to lead this research under the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) Tenure programme, with funding shared between Casais and FCT. Dr. Filipe Brandão’s work will focus on the integration of robotic processes in construction, the development of modular, prefabricated and demountable structural components, and the creation of standards for the incorporation of production data into BIM models. These advances will promote the circularity of materials and the innovative concept of buildings as material banks, all of which is consistent with the Casais commitment to sustainability and the circular economy.
António Carlos Rodrigues, CEO of the Casais Group, highlighted the importance of this investment, “Digitalisation, the industrialisation of construction and automation present us with opportunities to add greater value and respond effectively to the challenges facing the sector. Investing in applied research, as we are with this new Department, is essential to keep Casais at the forefront of innovation, ensuring more efficient and sustainable solutions that are aligned with the real needs of the market.”
Paulo Cruz, a leading academic and Director of the School of Architecture, Art and Design at the University of Minho, said that “the Department is a strategic milestone that is much more than a passing trend. Digitalisation, robotics and additive manufacturing are no longer distant concepts but everyday practices capable of propelling construction into a new era. This project is not just an institutional collaboration, but the beginning of a joint journey that aims to modernise the sector with shared knowledge and cutting-edge technology.”
The new Department represents an investment with a direct return for Casais in that the knowledge generated will be applied to develop innovative construction solutions that increase the Group’s competitiveness in both the domestic and international markets.
