Process of innovation for up/down construction at Rowes Wharf

There are many demands for technological advancement in construction but the mechanisms to bring this about are not well understood. This paper describes the process that resulted in an example of construction innovation, the use of the “up/down” construction method on the Rowes Wharf project. The first section includes a review of alternative methods for foundation construction, a description of the innovation, an explanation of the process of innovation, and a summary of the results. The description of the process gives the background of the project team, reviews the alternatives considered, identifies the steps in evaluation and implementation, and gives the problems. The second section then compares this innovation with a model of the process of innovation on a construction project and presents conclusions and practical applications for industry professionals seeking to increase the rate of innovation in their firms and researchers seeking to better understand this complex process. The major insights from this example of innovation concern the owner’s organization, concurrent conceptual and detailed planning, and the need for iteration in selecting design approaches and construction methods.