ZEBAI Project celebrates one-year milestone
ZEBAI Project celebrates one-year milestone
The ZEBAI Project is set to transform the future of building design. With a focus on zero-emission buildings (ZEB), the project is developing a comprehensive, AI-enhanced methodology to optimise energy performance, environmental impact, indoor environmental quality, and cost-effectiveness. ZEBAI's innovative approach is being driven by a dynamic consortium of 18 partners from seven European countries, coordinated by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM).
The project, which received a grant of €3.8 million from the European Commission under the Horizon Europe program, aims to revolutionise how buildings are designed by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence. The goal is to streamline the design process, optimise material and system selection, and reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. To validate the methodology, four real-world demonstrators located in Ukraine, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands will serve as testing grounds, showcasing ZEBAI’s ability to adapt to different climates, usages, and building types.
The project aligns with the European Union’s Green Deal, which aims for climate neutrality by 2050, and it is an integral part of Horizon Europe’s Cluster 5, which focuses on tackling climate change and improving energy efficiency.
One year working on solutions for future building design
As ZEBAI moves forward with its ambitious goals, the project recently celebrated a significant milestone: its first anniversary. Since its inception, the consortium has been hard at work, advancing its innovative methodology and collaborating on solutions that will reshape the future of building design.
The ZEBAI team marked the occasion with the completion of the 2nd General Assembly held from January 21-23, 2025, at the University of Birmingham, UK. This milestone event brought together key project partners, researchers, and stakeholders to reflect on the progress made and to plan the next steps toward achieving the project's objectives.
The assembly served as an opportunity to review technical developments in AI-assisted methodologies for zero-emission buildings and materials characterisation. One of the event's highlights was an interactive panel discussion, focusing on the opportunities and challenges in sustainable construction. The discussions sparked new ideas for overcoming obstacles and advancing toward a zero-emission future. Furthermore, hands-on workshops and roundtable discussions encouraged deeper collaboration among partners.
Looking ahead, ZEBAI remains committed to achieving its vision of transforming the building industry and contributing meaningfully to the EU’s climate goals. The team’s focus is not only on developing innovative technologies but also on ensuring that the design process becomes more efficient, user-friendly, and aligned with sustainability objectives.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates as the project continues its journey toward a smarter, greener, and more sustainable world.