Our Story
Exelsiv was founded on a simple belief: the built environment can work smarter.
Drawing on 15 years of cross-sector experience in construction, technology, and consulting, we help organisations bridge the gap between vision and delivery.
We bring together modern methods of construction, digital systems, and strategic insight to transform how projects are planned, designed and built.
Based in Sydney and working with clients around the world, we work with leaders who want practical solutions that deliver real impact.
Dr. Sindu S. Satasivam
Director & Principal Consultant
Exelsiv was founded by Dr. Sindu S. Satasivam, a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) with a PhD in Structural Engineering and 15+ years as an industry innovator with deep expertise across construction, technology, consulting, and academia. Her work spans modern methods of construction, modular systems innovation, and the design and development of software products tailored to the construction sector, helping organisations reimagine how they design and deliver.
Alongside her consulting work, Sindu co-founded Known Entity, a venture developing cutting-edge software solutions for construction that blend deep industry insight with forward-thinking technology. As a published researcher and contributor to industry thought leadership, she brings a rare ability to translate complex ideas into practical, value-driven strategies.
With a track record of delivering high-impact outcomes for tier-one companies, startups, and government, she brings a rare combination of technical depth, strategic clarity, and creative problem-solving to every engagement.
Qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | Structural Engineering | Monash University
Bachelor of Engineering (BE Hons.) | Civil Engineering | Monash University
Chartered Professional Engineer (MIEAust CPEng) | Engineers Australia
Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) | Scrum Alliance
Professional Experience
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2025 -Present
Sindu co-founded Known Entity and leads product strategy and technology delivery for data-driven risk management solutions in modern construction. She develops digital tools that de-risk projects, with a focus on moisture management for mass timber buildings using predictive analytics.
Her work helps clients cut delays and claims, improve insurability, and adopt modern methods with confidence. By turning complex data into clear insights, she enables faster decisions and more predictable, profitable projects
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2022-2024
Sindu led the development of construction platform products for KPMG Origins, a B2B SaaS blockchain traceability platform within KPMG, designed to enhance visibility and compliance across complex supply chain ecosystems.
She developed and managed software to track components, materials, and processes across building projects, with a particular focus on solutions for government clients.
Her work helped clients strengthen transparency, meet regulatory requirements with confidence, and reduce risks across complex projects.
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2019-2022
Sindu spearheaded the development of generative structural design solvers at Lendlease Podium (now Podium.io), a startup venture within Lendlease focused on the development of a digital platform for automation of building design and construction.
She transformed traditional engineering practices by integrating automated solvers with a modular kit-of-parts approach, creating design automation linked to a comprehensive digital catalogue that bridges digital software and modern construction methods.
Her innovations led to the patenting and commercialisation of both physical and digital products, now deployed on projects worldwide.
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2016-2019
Sindu engineered mid-rise commercial and residential buildings using mass timber at Lendlease DesignMake, including Daramu House — a 7-storey commercial timber building in the heart of Sydney. She also designed kit-of-parts and volumetric structural elements using a Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) approach.
Her work helped prove mass timber at scale, delivering projects that were cost-competitive, faster to build, and more sustainable than traditional methods. By pioneering modular and DfMA-driven systems, she reduced on-site complexity, accelerated delivery, and set new benchmarks that advanced the adoption of mass timber and modern construction methods.
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2011-2016
Sindu performed research in modern methods of construction using advanced composite materials in the Department of Civil Engineering.
She published novel research findings, presented at national and international conferences, and developed analytical design equations and numerical models that advanced engineering practices. This academic expertise laid the groundwork for her later industry impact, bridging rigorous research with practical applications in modular systems, new materials and product development.
A full list of her publications can be found here.
Selected Past Experience
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![Daramu House mixed-use development in Sydney showing mass timber and modular construction with high-rise towers, representing large-scale modern methods of construction and prefabricated building delivery]()
Daramu House, Sydney
Structural design of a landmark commercial building in the heart of Barangaroo, Sydney, delivered using Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) principles for efficiency, quality, and sustainability.
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![3D BIM structural grid model showing automated multi-storey timber framing layout, representing computational design automation and parametric structural engineering for building design workflows]()
Design Automation
Developed and patented generative structural design capabilities and digital product catalogues to automate complex engineering processes, and to reduce manual work, improve accuracy and speed-up delivery.
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![Cross-laminated timber (CLT) panel being lifted by crane between high-rise buildings, demonstrating prefabricated mass timber construction and modern methods of construction for urban development]()
Kit-of-Parts Design
Design of kit-of-parts and productised components, including the pictured K-brace system acting as key lateral structural elements, for a modular engineered timber buildings.
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![Engineering diagram and 3D models of modular timber structural connections and kit-of-parts system showing DfMA prefabrication components, joints, and assembly configurations for modern methods of construction]()
High-Performing Connectors
Researched, designed, and developed patented high-performance physical connectors. Connectors achieve an 80% reduction in installation time, significantly improving project efficiency. As of 2024, these connectors are being deployed on mass timber projects in Christchurch, New Zealand.
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![Prefabricated volumetric modular building pods under construction in a factory, demonstrating modern methods of construction (MMC) and off-site manufacturing for residential building delivery]()
Modular Structural Pods
Designed stacked core modules that provided lateral stability while housing fully prefabricated bathrooms and kitchens. Engineered for efficient transport, safe installation, and complete architectural and structural integrity.
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![Building Trustworthy Index dashboard showing asset data metrics across a 64-building construction portfolio, including embodied carbon tracking, building lifecycle stages, and structural performance ratings for structure, waterproofing, fire safety,]()
Building Risk & Traceability
Led the market-driven development of supply chain traceability for modular buildings, building risk indicators, and upfront embodied carbon calculations using Blockchain technology. These products helped the industry identify trustworthy assets and increase transparency across construction processes.
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![Digital image (ARAMIS) strain analysis of a structural beam under load testing, showing stress distribution heatmap used in structural engineering research by Dr. Sindu Satasivam]()
Advanced Materials Research
Researched fibre-reinforced composite materials for modular floor systems, publishing new design methods and analytical models.
Contact Us
Whether you’re exploring a new project, looking to collaborate, or just have a question, get in touch!
We're based in Sydney and work with clients across Australia and internationally. Reach us directly using the form, connect on LinkedIn, or download our capability statement to share with your team first.