Prototypical Iterations in the Built Environment

Background

All buildings use materials and energy to perform their functions. A decarbonised built environment will be founded on several challenges, for example: minimum use of materials; renewable energy sources; recyclability. Whilst these are interlinked challenges, research to date has typically considered them isolation. By 2050 all new structures will be prototypical iterations; harnessing big data to be self-resilient while minimising whole life environmental, economic, and social costs. Every new structure will be designed and measured in terms of whole life cost – consuming minimal energy during construction and operation.

This Accelerator project was focused into three themes which were identified through an Initiator project (Flexible Formwork):

1. Structural Skins
2. Scale and Data
3. Performance Based Design

Project summary

Accelerator funding was used for facilitated workshops and undertaking proof of concept technology trials. The workshops and regular meetings allowed the community to grow and strengthen their collaborations, including engagement with industrial colleagues, and to bring together a large funding proposal incorporating all three themes as well as smaller supplementary research proposals. Proof of concept trials were started using a PDRA that developed technologies which supported the large grant: work on these continued beyond the project lifespan. While the initial grant was unsuccessful, the community applied for a second EPSRC grant which was successful.