A team of six students, named Six Degrees, from Deakin University Geelong have taken home the Autodesk Challenge Cup in 2025 for their architectural submission 'Solace' which uses prefabricated building methods (smart building) to deliver high-quality homes that incorporate universal design principles and integrated assistive technologies.

Seven cross-disciplinary teams from Australian universities participated in the 2025 Autodesk Challenge Cup. “Smarter building for transitional living” required the students, Australia's next generation of built design professionals, to create a mid-rise (3-6 storey) designed with universal design principles.

The response needed to use prefabricated building methods (smart building) to deliver high-quality homes appropriate and comfortable for people with disabilities and the elderly to live within. The typology was mid-rise to acknowledge and respond to the need for increased densification due to the lack of available housing nationwide.

The three finalist team captains were invited to present their projects to AEC industry professionals during Offsite25, the premier event for prefabricated building in Australia.

Amirmahdad (Nick) Niknafs represented team Prefab GOATS from University of Melbourne, Prakhar Soam represented team Six Degrees from Deakin University Geelong and Sana Narula represented team Axion from Western Sydney University.

Third place was awarded to team Axion from Western Sydney University, second place to team Prefab GOATS from University of Melbourne and first place secured by team Six Degrees from Deakin University Geelong.

Proudly sponsored by Autodesk and facilitated by peak body prefabAUS, the Challenge Cup is now into its sixth year and provides teams with an opportunity to demonstrate the value and versatility of prefabrication and modern methods of construction (or Smart Building) to find innovative solutions unmatched by traditional construction.

prefabAUS Executive Chair Damien Crough said that prefabAUS was delighted to partner in a competition involving the next generation of Australia's built environment professionals.

“With an aging population and more understanding of the importance of universal design and access to the quality of life experienced by people living with disability, this Challenge has delivered a solution to a real-world problem.

"Using smart building techniques that combine digital design and advanced manufacturing techniques, mean time and waste savings and enhanced building performance are realized.” said Mr Crough.

“We are thrilled to announce another innovative group of finalists for the Challenge Cup,” said Autodesk's Sumit Oberoi, Senior Manager, Construction Strategy, APAC.

“The way the AEC industry works today is not sustainable or scalable. For the industry to keep pace, it needs to build more projects in a faster and more sustainable way. The answer is industrialised construction, being able to connect design and make from day one – resulting in faster, high-quality projects with less waste.”

“The quality and level of innovation amongst teams has been incredible and we congratulate the finalists, Australia's next generation of built design professionals, on their exceptional efforts and innovation,” said Mr Oberoi.

The Design Challenge

Teams were asked to explore transitional living models, wherein units or apartments function as an intermediary phase between institutional care and full independent living.

The design challenge was to design a mid-rise (3-6 storey) apartment building that incorporates universal design principles and is mid-rise due to the understanding that with current housing needs not being met, an increase in densification is necessary.

Using high-quality prefabricated building methods, or smart building, provides an opportunity to explore smarter ways of incorporating universal design and assistive technologies from the outset.

There is also the potential to explore flexible and adaptive spaces within the building. As our understanding of disability increases and our population ages, the outcome should be a building that is replicable and appropriate.