Professor Niraj Thurairajah

Head Of School

School: Architecture and Built Environment

I am an Associate Professor in the built environment and currently lead the Sustainable Construction Futures research group at Northumbria University. My research delves into the complexities of the built environment, focusing on the human and process-related dimensions. This includes examining how organisations and individuals navigate technological innovation, economics, and educational frameworks within this context. While much of my work revolves around developing solutions for challenges encountered in project settings, I have also conducted extensive research on housing and the intricate impact of policies on housing industry stakeholders.

Prior to my current role, I led the Digital Construction Centre at Birmingham City University, where I also managed the MSc in Building Information Modelling and Management program. Between 2007-2011, I served as an academic coordinator at the UK Higher Education Academy’s Centre for Education in the Built Environment (CEBE), spearheading several initiatives to foster collaboration and dialogue between industry, higher education, and professional bodies.

I have authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, organised various conferences, actively participated in research bidding, and managed several research and employer engagement initiatives, including notable projects such as ORBEE, ACBEE, ExcelDL, ISLAND I & II, CKE, and H2B innovation grants. However, my contributions extend beyond academia. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with numerous companies, ranging from Willmott Dixon and the Ministry of Justice to Building Alliance and Wienerberger. My engagements have spanned diverse sectors and partnerships with esteemed firms such as KPMG, AHR Global Architects, Associated Architects, Cundall, Costain, NG Bailey, Mott MacDonald, Rider Levett Bucknall, Thomas Vale, and ACIVICO.

Having relocated from Birmingham to Newcastle in 2018, I remain dedicated to advancing research and practice within the built environment field, drawing upon my experience and expertise to drive meaningful change.

Campus Address

Room 108
Sutherland Building
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST

Email Niraj

Research Themes and Scholarly Interests

My research delves into the complexities of the built environment, focusing on the human and process-related dimensions. This includes examining how organisations and individuals navigate technological innovation, economics, resilience, and educational frameworks within this context. While much of my work revolves around developing solutions for challenges encountered in project settings, I have also conducted extensive research on housing and the intricate impact of policies on housing industry stakeholders. I currently lead the Sustainable Construction Futures research group at Northumbria University and previously led the Digital Construction Centre at Birmingham City University. My research interests are:

Construction Economics and Procurement: My primary focus is on the cost management aspects of construction projects. I am a joint coordinator for CIB W55 on Construction Industry Economics and an ARCOM committee member. My research interests in this area include procurement routes, integrated project insurance, Modern Methods of Construction, offsite manufacturing, cultural and leadership challenges in projects, and supply chain management.
Digital Built Environment: I explore the broader impact of digitalisation on the built environment, emphasising the people and process-related aspects of Building Information Modelling (BIM). I have collaborated with clients, consultants, contractors, and manufacturers on various digital initiatives. Currently, my digital transformation research is centred on housing, infrastructure, and asset management.
Resilience, Sustainability, and Decarbonisation in the Built Environment: My current research focuses on the socio-technical aspects of building resilience and adaptation to climate change. This includes disaster resilience, decarbonisation, and broader sustainable solutions for our changing world.
Built Environment Education: From 2008 to 2011, I served as an Academic Coordinator at the UK Higher Education Academy’s Centre for Education in the Built Environment (CEBE). During this time, I managed and contributed to various initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration and dialogue between industry, higher education, and professional bodies. I am working on professional development programs funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority. These programs support staff across the housing sector, equipping them with the competencies and knowledge needed to achieve the decarbonisation of the existing housing stock.

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Affordance-led framework of understanding of BIM adoption, Jayasena, H., Thurairajah, N., Perera, B., Siriwardena, M. 2 Dec 2024, In: International Journal of Architectural Research: ArchNet-IJAR
Data-driven Approaches to Built Environment Flood Resilience: A Scientometric and Critical Review, Rathnasiri, P., Adeniyi, O., Thurairajah, N. 1 Aug 2023, In: Advanced Engineering Informatics
Sustainable Smart City Technologies and Their Impact on Users’ Energy Consumption Behaviour, Ramli, H., Mokhtar Azizi, Z., Thurairajah, N. 6 Feb 2024, In: Energies
Unexpected Challenges in the Modular Construction Implementation: Are UK Contractors Ready?, Thurairajah, N., Rathnasinghe, A., Ali, M., Shashwat, S. 16 May 2023, In: Sustainability
Digital Data Management Practices for Effective Embodied Carbon Estimation: A Systematic Evaluation of Barriers for Adoption in the Building Sector, Jayathilaka, N., Thurairajah, N., Rathnasinghe, A. 27 Dec 2023, In: Sustainability
A review on bioinspired strategies for an energy-efficient built environment, Shashwat, S., Zingre, K., Thurairajah, N., Kumar, D., Panicker, K., Anand, P., Wan, M. 1 Oct 2023, In: Energy and Buildings

Current and Recent Projects

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Green growth skills, Watson, R. (Principal Investigator), Thurairajah, N. (Co Investigator), North of Tyne Combined Authority, 01/04/23 - 31/03/26, £463,160.00

Professional Activity

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Participating in a conference, workshop, ...: The 39th Annual ARCOM Conference 2023 2023
Participating in a conference, workshop, ...: The 38th Annual ARCOM Conference 2022: Build Back Wiser 2022
Organising a conference, workshop, ...: ARCOM Doctoral Workshop in Association with CIB Working Commission on Disasters and the Built Environment (W120) 2019
Other: Failure and learning in UK project-based organisations: A cross-sector examination of actor approaches, intentions, and behaviours 2018

PGR Supervision

Odoi Asare Developing an Approach to Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Circular Business Model for Offsite Housebuilders. Start Date: 21/08/2024
Prangige Peiris Integrating Nature-Positive Development into Procurement Frameworks for Sustainable Off-site Construction Start Date: 01/10/2025
Nigamuni Geeth Anshumal Mendis Jayathilaka A Blockchain-based Embodied Carbon Data Management System for Building sector Start Date: 01/05/2021