Articles

The EXCESS project develops positive energy building solutions and demonstrates them in four European cities to prove that cost-competitive, positive-energy building solutions can be realised across different European climatic zones.

This article presents the overall framework for the definition of Plus Energy Buildings (PEB) and the latest results from projects in terms of technology solutions, multiple benefits analysis, and policy recommendations.

As the European Union strives to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, heat pumps have emerged as key players in decarbonising our buildings. These technologies exploit renewable energy sources, offering a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional heating systems. The article provides an overview on EU policies, financial instruments, and EU-funded projects to facilitate the adoption of heat pumps in buildings and to overcome the current barriers.

Digital technologies have a very large untapped potential to revolutionise the building and construction industry. Buildings are evolving into intelligent and interconnected structures, adapting to the changing needs of occupants while also optimising energy efficiency. How is Europe addressing this digital shift, and how are building professionals changing the way they work?

Sustainability can often be an afterthought and applied to the finished design without consideration of the impact the design will have in assembly and during life-cycle assessment. Most stakeholders vanish after handover, and this can translate into sustainability being forgotten or ignored. As well as these concerns, methods are also needed to prevent greenwashing and bring performance into the design frame.

This article explores preliminary findings on what happens to homes when they become smarter, considering how going digital affects the ways in which homes are imagined, planned, designed, and experienced on an everyday basis, provoking decision-makers to think widely about the contexts and consequences of their actions when implementing smart technologies to improve building performance.

To support the adoption of the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), a better understanding of its implications needs to be promoted. This technical article presents technical solution packages, as developed within the H2020 SmartBuilt4EU project.

Understanding and achieving the sustainable benefits deriving from digitalisation is a critical step in ensuring we deliver a skills-literate workforce capable of delivering green construction.