Topic of the Month
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 the 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 July and August, the topic of the month aims to promote sustainable and affordable human-centred cooling solutions for European buildings, focusing on:
- Technologies that enable an efficient use of energy and resources
- Passive cooling solutions
- Personalised local cooling solutions
- Link between renewable and low-carbon cooling solutions
…and more!
Related content
What happens when cooling is needed for health, but homes, inaccessible controls, and energy costs prevent access? Evidence from five Southern European countries shows why affordable cooling is about far more than energy efficiency.
The new European Technical Specification FprCEN/TS 18335:2026 defines a nine-step design process for natural, mechanical and hybrid ventilative cooling, prioritising prevention, modulation and free cooling before considering any form of active cooling.
Europe’s energy transition risks overlooking a critical gap: without treating cooling as infrastructure, buildings may lock in inequality, grid strain, and avoidable long-term costs.
A case study in Morangis shows how an attic conversion and whole‑house renovation improved indoor comfort and energy performance, transforming a class‑F dwelling into a class‑A home.
Before making air conditioning the norm, Europe has a significant opportunity to reduce overheating through passive measures such as external shading and ventilative cooling.
Research from Montenegro highlights why today's renovation decisions must anticipate tomorrow's climate to ensure long-term comfort and energy performance.
Quali accorgimenti sarebbe opportuno seguire per ridurre l'uso dell'aria condizionata e migliorare efficienza energetica delle nostre case?
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.
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.
Cooling has moved beyond comfort. It's a matter of survival - and the heat it rejects should not be wasted but used to heat our buildings.
Future Topics of the Month
Building certifications help assess and improve Europe’s building stock by making performance data clearer. This Topic of the Month explores how they can support better design, identify improvement potential and link energy performance with comfort, resilience and long-term value.
The November Topic of the Month examines how draft NBRPs have evolved following the Commission’s assessment, what remains before final adoption, and how governance, financing, skills, energy poverty and monitoring can turn them into effective renovation roadmaps.
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