Authors
Riccardo Pinotti (riccardo.pinotti@eurac.edu), Eurac Research | LinkedIn profile
Martino Gubert (martino.gubert@eurac.edu), Eurac Research | LinkedIn profile
(Note: Opinions in the articles are of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the EU)
Introduction
The European building stock urgently needs renovation to meet climate targets and improve energy efficiency. With buildings responsible for 40% of EU energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions 1, accelerating renovation rates from the current 1.2% to at least 3% annually is crucial. However, traditional renovation approaches face significant barriers, including high costs, extended implementation timelines, and limited stakeholder acceptance. This article explores how industrialisation and digital knowledge sharing can revolutionise building renovation, drawing insights from the EU-funded INFINITE project 2 led by Eurac Research 3.
The challenge and solution: Renovation 4.0
Deep renovation of existing buildings entails multiple challenges. There is limited standardisation across renovation solutions, along with insufficient technical flexibility and scalability. The market lacks sufficient activation, while value chains remain suboptimal and reliant on traditional renovation approaches.
The INFINITE project introduces a ‘Renovation 4.0’ approach that leverages digitalisation and industrialisation to overcome these barriers. At its core, the project features a multi-user, interdisciplinary BIM-based platform that enables stakeholders to contribute effectively throughout the renovation process. It also develops process-optimised, all-in-one industrialised envelope kits that integrate passive eco-compatible green systems, energy and fresh air distribution modules, smart window integration, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and building-integrated solar thermal systems (BIST). This comprehensive approach is supported by smart control systems ensuring optimal performance during operation, all underpinned by a comprehensive online repository of technical solutions and best practices.
Figure 1. Testing activity on INFINITE prototypes at Eurac Research Laboratories. Industrialised, timber-based multifunctional facade hosting a ventilation machine (left); PV panels, green façade, and solar thermal collectors integrated on a timber base prefabricated façade (right).
Technical innovation and knowledge sharing
The INFINITE project develops second-generation prefabricated envelope solutions designed for cost-effectiveness and sustainability, building upon the experience gained in the 4RinEU project (Figure 2), which had already explored the use of prefabricated timber elements. The innovation focuses on timber-based modular systems with integrated technologies, incorporating design for assembly and disassembly principles. The solutions feature standardised interfaces between components and enhanced physical connections with existing buildings, supported by optimised manufacturing and installation processes.
Figure 2. Prefabricated façade installation in the 4RinEU project demo building in Spain.
Recent cost analyses indicate that industrialised solutions can achieve investment costs comparable to traditional approaches while providing significant benefits, including reduced on-site installation time, enhanced quality control, and improved long-term performance 4.
A key instrument which has been further developed in INFINITE is its online knowledge hub, designed to accelerate market adoption through systematic knowledge sharing. The hub compiles a comprehensive database of industrialised renovation technologies, documenting technical specifications, performance data, installation guidelines, cost benchmarks, and environmental impact assessments. It serves as a repository for best practices by collecting and analysing case studies from real-world implementations across Europe. Additionally, it supports decision-making by offering tools and frameworks for technology selection, cost-benefit analysis, project planning, and quality assurance.
Implementation and impact
The INFINITE approach is being demonstrated through three real-world renovation projects in Europe: a social housing block in Italy, a twin residence in France, and a multi-property building in Slovenia. The physical demonstrations are supplemented by six virtual cases, enabling broader validation across diverse building types and climatic conditions. Early results show significant improvements in renovation efficiency, with the industrialised approach reducing construction time by 54% compared to traditional methods. Investment costs are also projected to decrease by 15-30% over a 50-year lifecycle. Environmental performance improves through optimised material use and enhanced energy efficiency, while stakeholder acceptance increases due to streamlined processes and miminised renovation disruption.
Looking forward future development
The combination of industrialisation and digital knowledge sharing represents a promising pathway to accelerate building renovation rates across Europe. The INFINITE project showcases how this approach overcomes traditional barriers while delivering high-quality, sustainable outcomes. As the sector evolves, systematically sharing technical knowledge and best practices will be essential for scaling up renovation efforts to meet EU climate targets. With ongoing development and implementation of these innovations, Europe’s building stock can be transformed to address both environmental and social needs.
References
1 European Commission, "Energy Performance of Buildings Directive" https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/energy-performance-buildings-directive_en
2 INFINITE Project Website https://infinitebuildingrenovation.eu/
3 Eurac Research Website https://www.eurac.edu/en
4 Gubert et al. (2023), ‘Comparative cost analysis of traditional and industrialised deep retrofit scenarios for a residential building’, Journal of Facade Design & Engineering https://doi.org/10.47982/jfde.2023.2.A3
