Jan 2026 — Dec 2028
Research on Knowledge Co-Creation Mechanism and Human-AI Collaboration Model in Generative AI-based Engineering Design
Architecture • Technology • Management
BRIDGING DESIGN
INNOVATION WITH
DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION
Each year, the construction industry generates nearly 37% of global carbon emissions and is responsible for over 60,000 worker fatalities. Yet, around 40-70% of a building lifecycle cost, environmental impact, and safety risks are locked in during the design phase.
The HKU Research Group of Design for Excellence in Digital Construction (DxDC) confronts this crisis head-on. Through Design Engineering Informatics and Design Management Innovation, we pioneer DfMA and DfS to reshape construction from its source.
About Group Lead
PhD · MSc · BArch · MRICS · MCIOB
Dr. Tan Tan is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Real Estate and Construction, Faculty of Architecture, the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Program Director of MSc Digital Management of Built Assets (DMBA), and a Principal Investigator at the National Centre of Technology Innovation for Digital Construction in Hong Kong (NCTI-DC-HK). Previously, he held postdoctoral positions at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands and the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Digital Fabrication in Switzerland. He received his PhD and MSc from University College London (UCL Bartlett) and his BArch from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST).
Dr. Tan has led research projects, including the Hong Kong Early Career Scheme (ECS) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Young Scientists Fund, and participated in the Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) and the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF). His achievements include receiving the ESI Highly Cited Paper Award, Editor's Choice Paper Award, and Best Paper Awards, alongside various prestigious scholarships such as the UCL PhD Scholarship, UK Grand Challenges Doctoral Grant, and China National Award for Outstanding Self-funded Students Abroad.
He currently serves as a co-coordinator for CIB W096 Architectural Design and Management, a managing guest editor for Developments in the Built Environment, a Corresponding Expert for the Chinese Academy of Engineering's journal Frontiers of Engineering Management, and as Co-Chair for CAAD Futures 2025. Since founding his research group in 2024, he has actively supported his team members in securing various academic honors, including Hong Kong government fellowships and merit paper awards.
Our Research Team
The core team includes four doctoral-level researchers, supported by master's student research assistants.
Postdoc Researcher
2025–now
PhD Civil Eng. PolyU · MSc Civil Eng. SKKU · BSc Civil Eng. UET Peshawar
Postdoc Researcher
Jul 2026–
PhD Civil Eng. UoAuckland · MTech Civil Eng. IIT Bombay · BTech Civil Eng. DEI
Selected Funded Projects
In 2025, the DxDC research group has secured over HK$1.2 million in funding from the RGC, NSFC and URC, including ECS, YSF(C), TDG.
Jan 2026 — Dec 2028
Large Language Model (LLM)-augmented Automated Safety Checking in Alteration and Addition (A&A) Works
June 2025 — June 2026
Evaluating the Impact of Augmented Reality (AR)-based Interaction Designs on Cognitive Load and Learning Satisfaction in Digital Construction Education
SELECTED Publications
We are developing our research identity in the field of design engineering and management.
2026
Human–robot interaction design with augmented reality in construction: A systematic review of frameworks, applications, and future directions
2025
Exploring the implementation of digital fabrication in construction: Combining system approaches and a revelatory case study from Switzerland
2025
Advancing modular design generation: A review of modularization workflows and computational design approaches
2024
Adoption challenges of building information modelling (BIM) and off-site construction (OSC) in healthcare construction: Are they fellow sufferers?
2024
Sustainable future-proof healthcare facilities: Modular and adaptable design approach
PROFILE
Explore the full publication record on Google Scholar
Full ProfileLet's Connect
Open to academic partnerships, industry collaborations, research opportunities, and prospective team members.
Join the Team
We are recruiting RA / PhD / PostDoc candidates in our two research domains.
Funding & Scholarships for PhD Applicants:
Research Domains:
- Domain 1: Design for Manufacture and Assembly
- Domain 2: Design for Safety
We are open to exploring new research directions and innovative methodologies within these two domains.
More requirements about academic merit can be found at the HKU Graduate School.
Office
5/F, Knowles Building
University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong SAR