Technotia Laboratories is a multi-disciplinary group with combined experience in structural, mechanical, materials and electrical engineering, physics, design and innovation – the team has a history of delivering a vast range of high-level and eminent projects in the technology, construction, health & defence sectors and in research & development.
We are committed to searching for inspiration from a better understanding of the physical world, taking these learnings and applying them to live projects. The physical world provides us with an endless resource for visual study and exploration, from its smells to its colour, textures, shapes, sounds, structures and anatomy.
Inspired by this, we at Technotia have developed a unique yet organic approach with which we build scientifically-based platforms, solve problems and, most importantly, learn about how to find them.
As scientists, we are also committed to teaching and sharing our knowledge and approach with the next generation of young scientists through partnership with various tertiary institutions in Australia and overseas.
Meet our Directors
Professor James Murray-Parkes, Phil Gardiner, Adam Styles and Dr. Jackson Clarke, with the assistance of the group’s various team members and patrons, lead Technotia Laboratories.
Our directors help to bring together and lead an expansive spectrum of experience and expertise in areas of design, mathematics, physics, advanced manufacturing, mechanical, chemical, civil, electrical and structural engineering.
Technotia Laboratories is extremely grateful and appreciative of the continued support and involvement of its patrons. The support and advice of these individuals has been instrumental in the genesis of the group and will continue to be an incredible asset into the future.
Through taking inspiration from the natural world, James is widely regarded as a world leader in high-end problem solving, innovation and design. The founder of SNXG and mentor to students, his unique design capabilities have influenced over 1800 projects in the construction, finance, technology, health, energy, and defence sectors.
Key Achievements
Instrumental in the design of Perth (Optus) Stadium
Founder, Leader & Instigator of Tentacle CM&I‘s project and platform, and multiple high-level, innovation-focused teams in industry
Instigated & Co-Founded Australian Engineered Fasteners and Anchors Council (AEFAC) at Swinburne University of Technology
Instigated & Co-Founded the Modular Construction Codes Board (MCCB)
Capabilities
Applied physics
Engineering design
Forensic investigation
Project management & leadership
Reverse engineering
Phil Gardiner
Phil Gardiner has over 40 years of experience in structural engineering. As the Managing Director of Irwinconsult Australia, now a WSP company, he has led teams and provided design input into many of Melbourne’s and Darwin’s buildings. In recent times, his practice has also developed significant expertise in timber structures.
Capabilities
Extensive experience on a broad range of engineering projects, including:
High rise
Modular
Heritage
Adam Styles
Adam Styles has a strong technical background in science and engineering making him an adept problem solver, capable of taking disparate knowledge and turning it into bespoke solutions. He has strong learning and research skills enabling him to quickly find and prototype solutions, aided by the practical experience of tackling problems for a wide variety of industries.
Capabilities
Conceptual structural design
Software design & programming
Chemical engineering
Materials science & analysis
Engineering & data research
Data & experimental analysis
Dr. Jackson Clarke
Jackson is a highly awarded physicist and mathematician working in industry.
Jackson has diverse experience introducing high quality agile data and predictive analytics solutions into the decision-making process across industries. Jackson is passionate about sustainability and how unbiased data can create a path for industry to improve on their social responsibility and business practices.
Edwina McDermott
Edwina supports Technotia Laboratories through her kind philanthropy, which enables the group to offer scholarships to support high achieving students in the field of engineering. Her extensive experience in the architecture/building industry also enables her to provide insight to the team based on her business experience and strategic management skills.
Paul Chrystall
Paul is a private investor and director of private companies associated with those investments. In his earlier career from 2001 to 2022 he established and managed private equity funds both under the auspices of Goldman Sachs JBWere (NZ), where he was Head of Private Equity (NZ) and later via Maui Capital Limited. Prior to his private equity career Paul worked in NZ and the UK in a variety of senior management roles across a wide range of industries.
David Gelb
David is a qualified lawyer, accountant and business leader. He is currently a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) Tax in Australia and prior to this he led the R&D division at KPMG for over 20 years and served on KPMG’s National Australian Board for 3 years. His 30 years of experience has seen him provide advice to companies in relation R&D tax issues and Government grants (for R&D, Innovation, and Sustainability), liaising with tax authorities on R&D tax compliance matters, and advising Governments on R&D policy issues.
Kate Marshall
Kate’s patronage brings a legal and regulatory lens to the group. She has extensive experience supporting the use of both established and emerging technologies. She understands the real benefits that data can provide yet also the benefits of overlaying the regulatory environment, expectations of the broader stakeholders and appropriate risk management when collecting, using and sharing that data. Kate is passionate about protecting and commercialising IP with over 30 years experience in those areas. Kate also brings strong leadership capability which includes setting and driving strategy, developing innovative solutions and nurturing talent.
Prof. Colin Waters
Colin is a world-renowned physicist who is sought after for his ability to lead impactful research, design and deploy computer simulations, champion novel approaches to data analysis and drive the creation and implementation of multidimensional data display tools. His specialty in mathematical modelling and computational techniques is a great boon to the group when it comes to fostering the talent of budding engineers and scientists who join.
Katherine Goldman
Katherine is the Associate Director of the Advancement group at Swinburne. She helps donors support their passion for education and research and, in turn, help change the lives of others. She has been a key supporter and asset in helping the SNXG start and enabling it to provide opportunities to high performing students.
Luke Bell
Luke is the Director of Advancement at Swinburne, where he is responsible for spearheading the engagement of Swinburne alumni and external stakeholders with the university to foster partnerships and collaboration which provide benefits to current students. He has been instrumental in the genesis of the SNXG and its related programs.
Prof. John Pollaers
Professor John Pollaers has had a distinguished international career in the consumer products and advanced manufacturing industries. He has been chief executive and director of major companies, including Pacific Brands and Foster’s Group Limited.
Key Achievements
Professor Pollaers holds an MBA from INSEAD and Macquarie University, as well as degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in June 2018, for service to the manufacturing sector, to education and to business.
Capabilities
Professor Pollaers is Chairman of the Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council, Chairman of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee and Chair of the Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce for the Federal Government. He was also a member of the Prime Minister’s Industry 4.0 Taskforce.
Prof. Emad Gad
Emad Gad has over 25 years of experience in structural and civil engineering, and is currently the Dean of School of Engineering at Swinburne University of Technology. Emad specialises in areas of:
Structural dynamics and vibrations
Structural connections and modelling
Residential construction
Key Achievements
Member of Structural College Board, Engineers Australia since 2017
Co-Founder and Chair of the Australian Engineered Fasteners and Anchors Council (AEFAC) since 2012.
How to Design a Structure
Multiplex
2018
The How to Design a Structure publication was instigated by Prof. James Murray-Parkes and the team at the Multiplex Engineering Innovations Group.
The book outlines the progress, evolution and solutions to structural design alternatives made by James and his team between 2013 and 2018. It provides an overview of the wide range of opportunities for alternative design and optimisation which are present in projects in spaces from modular construction to tall buildings and more.
Handbook for the Design of Modular Structures
Monash University, Victorian Government
2015-2017
This was initially instigated by Prof. James Murray-Parkes, Prof. Yu Bai, Adam Styles, Angela Wang, Monash University, the Victorian Government, and various industry partners.
This handbook was the first of its kind in the world, providing integrated solutions and experiences to industry, government and the community including: Design for performance; Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA); and Regulatory compliance.