The University of Wolverhampton has launched a new partnership with a local manufacturer to create artificial intelligence tools aimed at speeding up building design and pricing. Announced on 11 May 2026, the project connects the university with Drywall Steel Sections Ltd to simplify how complex steel framing and drywall systems are planned.
Currently, professionals often rely on manual methods to design and calculate the costs of these building components. This process can take several weeks and may lead to wasted effort if a company does not successfully win a contract. The new project, part of a wider government-backed Knowledge Transfer Partnership funded by Innovate UK, aims to cut that time down to just a few hours while improving overall accuracy.
The university team is led by Professor David Heesom and Dr Nigel Moore from the School of Architecture and Built Environment. For the company, the project is headed by Tharinda Rathnapala, who leads the technical management of light gauge steel framing at the manufacturer. The collaboration marks a full-circle moment for the firm, as Rathnapala previously served as a KTP Associate in the mid-2000s.
Drywall Steel Sections Ltd is a family-run business founded more than 20 years ago by Rajinder and Sunita Gupta, and it is now managed by their son, Mayank Gupta. In 2024, the manufacturer moved into a large, 39,850 square foot factory in Ettingshall, Wolverhampton, with support from the West Midlands Combined Authority. This latest technological partnership reflects a broader shift in the construction sector, where the use of artificial intelligence in building projects has grown significantly over the last two years.
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