FS Group Luban Lab Innovation Showcased at ITP Academic Conference

12 Jul FS Group Luban Lab Innovation Showcased at ITP Academic Conference

FS Group Luban Lab Innovation Showcased at ITP Academic Conference: FS Group’s Live Seismic Upgrade Project Sets a New Benchmark for Commercial Building Retrofit

Founded by FS Group in 2022, Luban Lab is a private research and application laboratory dedicated to advancing innovation in the construction industry. The laboratory focuses on Building Information Modelling (BIM), advanced construction materials, seismic strengthening technologies, prefabrication, and the practical application of emerging construction methodologies.

One of Luban Lab’s flagship innovations was demonstrated through the seismic strengthening and refurbishment one shopping mall, Auckland, delivered by Ford Steel Engineering (FSE), FS Group’s specialist construction division.

Supported by the research and technical expertise of Luban Lab, the project pioneered a new construction methodology that enabled seismic strengthening to be carried out during normal daytime trading hours while the shopping centre remained fully operational. The project successfully replaced 22 primary load-bearing columns supporting 11 continuous beam systems, with an overall span of approximately 60 metres and an average span of 20 metres per bay.

Compared with conventional approaches, which typically require partial or complete closure of shopping centres or rely on overnight construction, this innovative methodology significantly reduced construction time and project costs while allowing retailers to continue operating throughout the construction period.

The project also demonstrated that construction impacts—including noise, dust, welding fumes, welding light and other environmental constraints—can be effectively managed through advanced construction technologies, specialised equipment and refined project management practices, enabling construction activities to meet the operational requirements of an active commercial environment.

More importantly, the project established a practical alternative to traditional seismic retrofit methods. It demonstrated that large-scale structural strengthening of commercial buildings can be undertaken safely and efficiently without interrupting business operations, providing a new benchmark for the retrofit of operational retail facilities.

In December 2025, the project was selected as a featured case study at the ITP Academic Conference, where professionals from the construction, engineering and research sectors explored innovative approaches to upgrading commercial buildings while maintaining continuous operation.