Topic of the Month (December 2023)
Each month a relevant topic and several sub-topics are covered in detail. For the Topic of the Month, content following a common thread is developed by BUILD UP Editorial Board in collaboration with the Board of Ambassadors and other relevant experts in the field. This includes producing articles, case studies, webinars and more, all in line with the specific topic selected. Relevant events are also identified and highlighted.
Topics of the Month are announced at the end of the previous month in our website and newsletter. Please write us if you wish to know more about our upcoming topics of the month.

In 2024, regulatory changes, sustainability goals, and AI advancements reshaped facility management, emphasising compliance, energy efficiency, and digital integration, while challenges in Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption and collaboration remained.

BuildON is a European project that enhances buildings with smart, AI-driven technologies for efficient energy management and decarbonisation. A leaflet introducing the initiative is available for download.

Residenza I Girasoli in Castenaso, Italy, features energy-efficient, well-insulated buildings with modern HVAC systems, renewable energy sources, and smart technologies, aiming for Plus Energy status while offering limited user customisation.

The debate over demolishing or renovating buildings focuses on balancing sustainability, cost, and community needs, with technological advancements helping to extend their lifespans.

Operational effectiveness ensures building systems achieve their goals by adapting to real-time conditions, prioritising outcomes over efficiency alone.

The document highlights the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings through retrofitting, addressing challenges such as high costs, data gaps, and technical issues, while exploring opportunities in innovation and policy to meet net-zero targets by 2050.

Parametric design uses algorithms to optimise building efficiency and sustainability, offering innovative solutions despite technological challenges.

A new framework using deep learning and remote sensing accurately identifies building materials, enabling sustainable urban planning and carbon reduction.

The leaflet outlines the goals of the syn.ikia project, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 program, which aims to create sustainable, energy-efficient neighbourhoods across Europe. It features four demo sites in different climates and integrates both passive and active systems.

Sustainable high-rises optimise land use, integrate sustainable technologies, and enhance energy efficiency to meet urban growth while reducing environmental impact.