Imagine renovating a house like assembling a Lego set rather than building from scratch on-site. This system uses a digital twin to map a building perfectly, then 3D-prints or manufactures custom energy-saving panels that fit exactly. It removes the guesswork and messy delays, making the process as simple as plugging in pre-made parts.
Conventional building renovations are slow and expensive due to data uncertainties and on-site errors. This leads to wasted materials and extended timelines that frustrate occupants and owners.
A digital workflow including BIM-based assessment software and a line of prefabricated energy-efficient modules made from recycled and bio-based materials.
If you are a renovation contractor dealing with unpredictable site delays and cost overruns — this project developed a digital process chain and prefabricated modules that reduce costs by 30% compared to conventional methods.
If you are a property manager dealing with old, energy-inefficient building portfolios — this project developed BIM-based monitoring software and active envelope technologies to reach near zero energy building levels quickly.
If you are a manufacturer dealing with wasteful production and low-demand materials — this project developed lightweight concrete mixes using recycled and bio-based materials for just-in-time delivery.
Based on available project data, the solution aims for a 30% reduction in cost compared to conventional renovation methods.
The project uses modern methods of construction (MMC) and just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing, which are designed for industrial scalability across different building typologies.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, but the project involves 15 partners developing software and material mixes.
The estimated installation time is 2 days per unit of 200m2 surface.
The process uses laser scanning to monitor installation and provides energy performance documentation at the end of commissioning.
The consortium is well-balanced for commercialization, featuring a 47% industry ratio with 7 industrial partners and 5 SMEs. The collaboration spans 7 countries, combining the academic research of 3 universities and 4 research centers with practical industrial application, ensuring the digital tools are grounded in real-world construction needs.
Contact University College Cork (National University of Ireland, Cork)
Contact us to connect with the DigiFab consortium for early adoption of the digital renovation chain.
