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“We can apply the LEGO principle to construction and make construction a bit faster than the traditional method – and we don’t need as much skilled labour to do this.”
These are some of the exciting benefits of innovative research undertaken by Postgraduate Student Sathurshan Mathavanayakam from Queensland University of Technology. His idea for mortarless interlocking concrete masonry systems for emergency housing construction was developed in partnership with masonry suppliers and also won him the Postgraduate Student Award at the Natural Hazards Research Australia Awards 2026.
Using LEGO-inspired interlocking concrete block systems and adapting them for structural housing purposes, Mr Mathavanyakam aims to significantly reduce building time, lower labour demands and decrease construction costs while still maintaining the structural performance required for housing.
Mr Mathavanyakam said everything he and his colleagues are working on is at the structure-scale level.
“We are constructing 2.5- to 3-metre-high [walls] and we are testing it. It’s intriguing us to understand how the structures behave at the different loadings,” he said.
"I always thank all our technicians and supervisors too for giving this opportunity. Every time, we are getting challenged and we are facing challenges and we are overcoming those challenges.”
Read more about Mr Mathavanyakam’s research and his award on our website.
Photo: CEO Andrew Gissing; Postgraduate Student Award winner Sathurshan Mathavanayakam from Queensland University of Technology, Minister for Emergency Management the Hon Kristy McBain MP; and Centre Board Member Adj Prof Tim Moltmann during the awards ceremony at NHRF26.