Pt Blink opens first construction tech centre on Gold Coast

PT Blink has opened a Construction Technology Centre on the Gold Coast, which it describes as the first facility of its kind in Australia.

Located in the Gold Coast Airport precinct, the centre is designed to show developers, architects, engineers, builders, manufacturers and investors how PT Blink's system can be used on building projects.

The opening comes as the Australian construction technology company moves into a broader commercial phase. PT Blink says it has more than AUD $13 billion of projects in the pipeline in South East Queensland, has completed more than 70 paid feasibility studies and is expanding into New Zealand.

The company has developed a patented operating platform for industrialised construction. It is designed to help existing construction firms deliver conventional buildings through a coordinated process that combines a structural system, software, digital workflow and an accreditation framework.

Wayne Larsen, Chief Executive Officer of PT Blink, said the new centre would give the industry a place to examine the model in practice.

"The building you designed. A better way to deliver it. That is what PT Blink is about," Larsen said.

"Architects continue to design the buildings their clients want. Builders retain procurement and commercial control. Engineers and certifiers retain their existing responsibilities, and local manufacturers produce the components.

"PT Blink provides the patented structural system, software, digital workflow and accreditation framework that connects everyone involved and enables the building process to operate with greater precision and predictability.

"The Technology Centre means industry participants can see the technology working, understand how it fits into a real project and learn how they can become part of the PT Blink ecosystem," he said.

How it works

PT Blink describes its model as asset-light, accrediting builders, designers, engineers and manufacturers to work within its platform rather than owning large production facilities itself. The approach relies on available manufacturing capacity in Australia and New Zealand and, where possible, uses manufacturers located close to individual projects.

At the centre of the system is a patented structural method backed by software that coordinates design, manufacturing and on-site assembly of components. The aim is to keep established industry roles in place while introducing more standardisation into the delivery process.

Murray Ellen, Founder of PT Blink, said the approach was intended to draw more domestic manufacturing into construction.

"Australia has extraordinary manufacturing capability, and there is significant capacity available across the country," Ellen said.

"PT Blink provides a way to bring that capability into construction through a common system, with components manufactured as close as practical to where the building is being delivered.

"Our ambition is to connect the construction and manufacturing industries and enable them to work together in a highly coordinated and industrialised way.

"We believe that creates an enormous opportunity for Australian construction, Australian manufacturing and the export of Australian technology," he said.

The company's philosophy is to "standardise delivery, not design", meaning architects continue to determine a building's appearance and layout while PT Blink manages the process behind the project.

"Our philosophy is to standardise delivery, not design," Ellen said.

"Architects have the freedom to design the building that is right for the site, the client and the community. Our platform coordinates the process behind that design, resolving more of the complexity earlier and moving appropriate parts of construction into controlled manufacturing environments.

"The result is a familiar, compliant building delivered through a more coordinated process," he said.

Growth plans

The Gold Coast facility will also be used for education, training and partner accreditation. PT Blink says its network now includes more than 500 participants, with each project adding more builders, designers, engineers and manufacturers familiar with the system.

Larsen said that network effect would support expansion in Australia and abroad.

"Our model allows us to enter new markets by identifying capable local manufacturers, builders and professionals, bringing them into the ecosystem and providing the technology and processes to deliver projects using the platform," he said.

"As that network grows, so does the capability of the platform. Every successful project creates more people and businesses with experience using the system," Larsen said.

PT Blink says its patented technology is protected in 23 countries. New Zealand is the first named overseas expansion market, and the company is also targeting other international territories.

Larsen said the new centre marked a key point in the company's next phase.

"We have spent years developing and proving the technology, and our focus is now on commercialisation and scale," he said.

"We have more than $13 billion of projects in the pipeline in South East Queensland alone, more than 70 paid feasibility studies completed and expansion underway into New Zealand.

"The Technology Centre gives the industry a physical place to engage with the platform, see how it works and understand what it could mean for their projects.

"We believe Australia has an opportunity to lead the next generation of industrialised construction, and we want PT Blink to play a significant role in making that happen," Larsen said.