Habitat Lab and the evolution of the building
Habitat Lab transforms a former 1950s cafeteria into a training and innovation space that combines refurbishment and extension to demonstrate sustainable construction solutions under real operating conditions.
PEEB contributes to regional cooperation on building energy efficiency at the Energy Community’s EECG meeting
The Programme for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB) presented its work on energy‑efficient buildings at the 41st Meeting of the Energy Community’s Energy Efficiency Coordination Group (EECG), highlighting support for policies, financing and capacity‑building.
Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2025–2026: key messages
What is holding back the decarbonisation of the built environment? Five key messages summarise the current state of the buildings and construction sector worldwide and the priorities for accelerating its transition.
Efficient cooling with groundwater heat pumps and solar PV: a practical university case study
Discover how a hybrid cooling system combining a groundwater heat pump and rooftop photovoltaic (PV) can cut energy use, boost heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) efficiency, and deliver low-carbon, resilient building performance in real-world university applications.
EU Building Stock Observatory workshop at eceee: towards a building-stock data hub
A recent workshop at the eceee Summer Study examined how the EU Building Stock Observatory could evolve into a more practical and comprehensive data hub for evidence‑based buildings policy.
Integrating the ‘Ladder of Cooling’: summer thermal comfort and prevent overheating
The increasing frequency of heatwaves is prompting a rethink of building energy policy. A new paper proposes integrating the Ladder of Cooling into the implementation of the EPBD in order to prioritise passive solutions and strengthen climate resilience.
Offsite construction: A solution for affordable housing in Europe
A BPIE report shows how offsite construction can reduce housing costs, accelerate delivery and improve building performance, including lower heating and cooling needs.
Heat pumps at a crossroads: unlocking Europe's next phase of building decarbonisation
Heat pumps are increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of Europe’s building‑sector transition. This article reviews the regulatory framework enabling their deployment, recent market developments, and the opportunities and challenges of integrating them across Europe’s diverse building stock.
Towards smarter cooling: integrating phase change materials in building elements for energy-efficient thermal comfort
Can buildings cool themselves? Discover how phase change materials (PCM) in building elements can cut energy use while improving indoor comfort in a warming climate.
How the EU and Member States enable buildings’ demand side flexibility for a more resilient, renewable energy system
A BPIE brief highlights uneven national implementation of EU provisions and emerging practices that influence how buildings contribute to demand‑side flexibility.