The Future of Digital Engineering

The Future of Digital Engineering: Insights from Cameron Mehmet, Associate Director - Digital Solutions

As digital engineering continues to evolve, 2025 promises significant advancements driven by technology, sustainability goals and industry-wide collaboration. According to Cameron Mehmet, Associate Director - Digital Solutions at erbas™, the industry is at a pivotal moment.

Expanding Digital Engineering at erbas™

“With our new National Discipline BIM Leads, 2025 is all about business expansion,” says Mehmet. “We’re enhancing our Community of Practice and Body of Knowledge to empower professionals with the tools they need to transform project work into future growth.”

Supporting Net Zero and Green Building Standards

With Australia’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, digital engineering plays a critical role. “Our team is focused on reducing embodied carbon and emissions through advanced modelling and automation,” Mehmet explains.

Covering the full spectrum of sustainability implementation, from minimum NCC compliance to passive design, green building certification, and operational performance evaluation, erbas™ is leading the charge in sustainable engineering.

He highlights three key areas:

• Sustainable Infrastructure: “We leverage digital technologies to design and build green buildings and implement emerging technologies for renewable energy systems. Being able to visualise complex facades, simulate passive design principles, and combining multi-disciplinary inputs into a single model helps optimise the design process for better outcomes."
• Operational Efficiency: “We implement building automation systems for smarter energy management in existing assets and reduce environmental impact by mapping current building services systems and integrating automation and monitoring systems.”
• Sustainability Regulatory Compliance: “We help clients meet NCC compliance and council requirements while contributing to Australia's net-zero emissions goals through better design and coordination processes in the digital engineering space.”

Emerging Technologies Transforming the Industry

Mehmet identifies Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) as game-changers. “VR/AR is redefining collaboration, visualisation and training in construction. Tools like Revizto, ACC Design Collaboration and Autodesk Build are streamlining project delivery.”

Digital Twins are another key innovation. “These allow real-time asset monitoring and improved decision-making, helping us set new standards for efficiency and performance.”

AI and Smart Building Integration

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasing role in digital engineering. “We’re integrating AI-powered design tools to optimise performance, reduce waste and improve sustainability,” says Mehmet.

Smart building technologies are also reshaping how structures function. “AI-driven automation in HVAC and lighting systems significantly cuts energy use and emissions, aligning with our sustainability goals.”

A Digital-First Future

Mehmet envisions a future where digital engineering is synonymous with sustainability and innovation. “By leveraging AI, automation, and cutting-edge modelling, we’re not just advancing efficiency - we’re creating a smarter, greener built environment.”

As 2025 unfolds, the role of digital engineering in shaping a more resilient and sustainable world has never been more critical. To find out more, reach out to Cameron Mehmet and his team.