Smart and Innovative Solutions for a Net-Zero Built Environment

Sepani Senaratne is an Associate Professor at the School of Built Environment and Design at Western Sydney University, where she currently holds the position of School Director for Learning and Teaching. She is also the Deputy Director Research at the research Centre for Smart Modern Construction (c4SMC). Further, she jointly coordinates CIB W124 working commission on "Near Zero and Circular Built Environment and work with global researchers to promote decarbonisation and circular practices in construction. Sepani has diverse academic experience in quantity surveying, construction and project management disciplines over 20 years, serving as an academic in reputed universities in UK, Sri Lanka and Australia. She is an active researcher and has widely published over 200 publications in leading journals and conferences. Her major research contribution is in Built Environment with specific research interests in Project Management in Construction; Smart and Digital Construction; Sustainable Construction; and Circular Economy in construction.

Niluka Domingo is affiliated with the School of Built Environment at Massey University, New Zealand, where she currently serves as the Research Director. She brings extensive academic and industry experience gained in the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand, with expertise in quantity surveying and construction management. Her teaching and research focus on sustainable construction, decarbonisation, construction waste management, circular economy, and construction economics, with particular interest in integrating sustainability and carbon-conscious practices into construction cost management. Niluka is a Member of the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (MNZIQS) and actively contributes to the profession through the NZIQS Carbon Accounting Working Group and the Research Committee. She also serves as the Lead Coordinator of CIB W124 - Near Zero and Circular Built Environment, collaborating with international researchers to promote innovation and knowledge sharing in sustainable built environment practices. Her work supports the transition of the construction industry toward a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and more sustainable future.

Srinath Perera serves as the Chair Professor of Built Environment and Construction Management and is the founding Director of the Centre for Smart Modern Construction (C4SMC) at Western Sydney University, Australia. He currently serves as President of the Australasian Universities Building Education Association (AUBEA) and is a Board Member and Chair of the Future Leaders Committee of the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB). He is Editor-in-Chief of Construction Innovation (Q1) and Specialty Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers in Blockchain (Industry), and a Chief Investigator on multiple Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Hubs and Training Centres. A Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales and the Australian Institute of Building, Professor Perera has over 35 years of experience in academia and industry. A pioneer in construction informatics, his work integrates AI and digital technologies into sustainable construction. He has authored over 400 publications and is recognised among top 2% scientists.