Integrating materials, energy, and building designs

Low-carbon materials

Greater material reuse and recycling can reduce the environmental footprint of construction. New approaches to concrete can also substantially lower its embodied carbon and, under certain conditions, enable even carbon storage.

Structural optimization can reduce material demand without compromising structural safety. Some advanced floor designs, for example, suggest potential concrete savings of up to 70% in specific applications.

Energy services

District-scale energy hubs can combine low-temperature heating networks with geothermal energy, recovered heat and locally generated renewable electricity, including building-integrated photovoltaics and wind power. Such systems can improve local energy self-sufficiency.

Thermally Activated Building Components (TABC) use the thermal mass of floors, ceilings and walls – often made of concrete – to store heat or cooling energy and release it when needed, increasing flexibility in the use of renewable energy.