1 February 2024, Nice – The Horizon Europe project INBUILT held its kick-off meeting this week, launching its ambitious mission to advance sustainable building practices across Europe. The project's goal is to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of buildings throughout their entire lifecycle by introducing innovative products and systems.

INBUILT's strategy involves the development and demonstration of 10 innovative products and systems, including large-sized rammed earth blocks, recycled fired and non-fired bricks, hybrid straw-clay boards, recycled concrete and recycled concrete blocks, prefabricated waste wood external and internal wall elements, smart windows with recycled glass and bio-PUR frames, bio-based prefabricated curtain walls, recycled waste paper and textile fibre insulation mats, bio-based recycled insulation sheet panels/infill and second life photovoltaic panels.

“These innovative solutions are pivotal in our journey towards sustainability, using locally sourced bio- and geo-materials as well as reused and recycled elements to mitigate the construction sector's impact on greenhouse gas emissions” Professor Erwin Franquet from the Université Côte d'Azur, Project Coordinator.

A key feature of the INBUILT project is the integration of a digital platform employing a Building Information Modelling (BIM)-based approach. This platform will streamline the construction projects' entire lifecycle, from design to end-of-life, and is enhanced by Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). INBUILT's approach will be demonstrated in real-world settings across France, the UK, and Germany, showcasing its viability and adaptability.

The project emphasises a shift from traditional construction models to more sustainable and efficient methods. This change is vital for aligning with Europe's sustainability objectives and conserving resources. INBUILT will not only focus on new construction but also on renovating existing structures to enhance productivity and competitiveness in the construction industry.

Coordinated by the Université Côte d'Azur, the INBUILT project involves a consortium of 16 partners, including researchers, architects, and technology providers. The project, which started on 1st December 2023, is running until May 2027. It is funded with €7.3 million from the EU’s research and innovation programme Horizon Europe within the Built4People partnership, which brings together the whole construction value chain to accelerate people-centric innovation for a sustainable built environment. Follow the progress of INBUILT on Twitter @INBUILT_project and on LinkedIn INBUILT Project.

ENDS

Project Information:

Project Full Name: Innovative bio/geo-sourced, re-used and recycled Products coupled with BIM-based digital platform for very low carbon construction, circular economy, energy and resource efficiency

Total cost : €9.4 million

EU contribution: €7.3 million

Duration: December 2023 - May 2027

Partners:

• University Côte d'Azur (France)
• Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (France)
• Leipfinger-Bader GmbH (Germany)
• Institut de Tecnología de la Construcción de Catalunya (Spain)
• University of Stuttgart (Germany)
• Acondicionamiento Terrasense Associacion (Spain)
• Indresmat SL (Spain)
• Heinrich Feess GmbH & Co.KG (Germany)
• Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (Germany)
• Baltifloc SIA (Latvia)
• Filiater (France)
• Greenovate!Europe (Belgium)
• Biofab Zero Tecnologias Ambientais Lda (Portugal)
• Lux Façade Engineering s.a. (Luxembourg)
• Eskilara S.Koop Txikia (Spain)
• ZRS Architekten Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH (Germany)
• Internationale Bauausstellung 2027 StadtRegion Stuttgart GmbH (Germany)
• University of Bath (United Kingdom)
• Material Cultures (United Kingdom)