Overview
The School of Built Environment focuses on human-made environments and their impact on society. We examine innovative ways in which the built environment can improve quality of life and community wellbeing, from rural villages to mega-cities.
The school has an international outlook on teaching, learning, practice and research, particularly in digital built environments. We work closely with industry to ensure our qualifications include latest developments.
The expertise of our people, combined with our local, national and international partnerships, ensures our teaching and research serve the needs of communities, industry and government to improve the built environment.
How we fit
The School of Built Environment is part of the:
College of Sciences
The College of Sciences seeks innovative solutions to challenges facing our world.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Massey
We are deeply committed to being a Tiriti-led university, demonstrating authentic leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand as we uphold te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of our nation, and its principles through our practice. We embrace this not just as an obligation but as a real opportunity for the nation and its people.
Te Whare o Te Tiriti o Waitangi — Home of the Treaty at Massey
Study with us
Choose from a range of qualifications in construction and the built environment, including our Master of Construction with a shorter 120-credit option for students with relevant experience or qualifications.
Explore by area of interest
Explore a selection of qualifications relating to your interests.
Study construction & the built environment
Get hands-on with commercial experience and practical assignments on the tools. Explore digital tech transforming the industry. Then graduate work-ready.
Study with Massey in China
The Massey Learning Centre at Hebei University of Technology offers students the opportunity to study online with Massey, while using campus facilities at one of China’s leading universities. Qualifications include Bachelor of Construction (all majors).
Professor Monty Sutrisna
Monty Sutrisna is Professor of Construction and Project Management, with practical experience as a leader in the construction industry in the UK, Australia and Indonesia. Monty champions close collaboration between academia and industry. Research interests include construction IT and artificial intelligence, construction contracts, and productivity.
Research
Our researchers work closely with government and industry to shape innovative solutions to actual needs in New Zealand society and internationally. The School's three research groups focus on:
- building performance, services and facilities management
- productivity in the built environment
- resilience, innovation and climate change.
Research activities across all three groups are underpinned by our research competencies across:
- digital built environment
- zero carbon and energy
- health, safety and wellbeing.
Research groups
Our research expertise and examples of how we create and share new knowledge.
Building performance, services and facilities management
Research themes include acoustics, housing reconstruction, ventilation and indoor air quality, and universal design to make built environments accessible for people in wheelchairs.
Projects include our lighting research programme, which explores:
- effects of light and lighting on the natural and built environment
- enhancing people's sleep-wake cycles
- next-generation lighting technologies.
Productivity in the built environment
Research themes include digitisation, health and safety, off-site construction, and project management.
Research includes the flagship five-year programme Creating Capacity and Capability for the New Zealand Construction Sector. The aim is to boost:
- investor confidence in delivery
- stability of construction companies and resource planning
- confidence for people seeking training and education to work in construction.
Research funding to address future needs of NZ
Innovation, resilience and climate change
Research themes include low-carbon building design, post-disaster reconstruction, and innovations in the digital built environment such as AR, VR and digital construction.
Our research includes projects with, or funded by, partners such as the:
- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
- Earthquake Commission
- BRANZ.
Consultancy
We often carry out research for partners outside Massey or work with partners on certain topics or as part of long-term relationships. Our consultancy makes the most of expertise from within the school and around the university, offering fresh thinking.
Research partnerships
BRANZ
BRANZ and the School of Built Environment collaborate on research to improve the performance of New Zealand's building system. Areas of interest include:
- indoor air quality and ventilation
- heath and safety for construction workers
- matching infrastructure pipeline planning to industry capability
- zero carbon buildings.
SiteSafe
SiteSafe provides health and safety advice, auditing and training to the construction industry. SiteSafe and the School of Built Environment collaborate on research and other opportunities to improve health and safety in the industry, and enrich students' skills and knowledge.
Accreditations and rankings
RICS - Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Massey's Bachelor of Construction is accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. This global professional body promotes and enforces international standards in the valuation, management and development of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.
New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS)
The quantity surveying specialisations in the Bachelor of Construction and Master of Construction are accredited by the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors for graduate membership.
Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS)
The Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying major) is accredited by the Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS).
IESANZ accreditation
Massey's Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology (Lighting) is accredited by Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia and New Zealand (IESANZ). Completing this qualification provides academic requirements for membership.
Graduate stories
“My employer encouraged me to further my study in construction. I chose Massey’s Master of Construction as it allowed me to study via distance and block courses while I worked, making for a manageable workload.”
“My study experience at Massey was a great mixture of enjoyment and challenge. It gave me a broad introduction to the processes and knowledge required to be successful in the construction industry.”
“Studying at Massey allowed me to both work and study full time. I am now much more advanced in my career than those of similar ages who either just studied or just worked.”
Services
Massey offer services for the public, as well as research or training for staff, students and businesses.
Photometric Laboratory
This state-of-the-art lighting laboratory includes specialist equipment to measure:
- colour rending and colour temperature
- dominant wavelength
- luminosity
- power, and more.
Professional services to industry
Our academic staff can offer advice and services relevant to construction and the built environment. Examples include:
- advising the Ministry of Education
- arbitration
- drafting or reviewing construction contracts.
Contact the School of Built Environment
School of Built Environment – Auckland campus
- sbe-admin@massey.ac.nz
- Location
Physical address
Quad A, 3rd floor
Albany campus
Massey University
East Precinct Albany Expressway,
SH17
Albany
Auckland 0632Use our Auckland campus maps or find us on Google Maps.