On 16 June, representatives from across the design and construction sector met at the Architects’ Council of Europe offices to reinforce cooperation on research and innovation for the built environment.
The meeting highlighted the sector’s shared ambition to accelerate the transition from research to practice. Presentations showcased emerging solutions, including robotic drilling technologies, integrated prefabricated “one-stop-shop” construction models developed in Germany, and circular refurbishment strategies for large-scale office buildings in Belgium.
Participants also engaged in constructive exchanges with the European Construction Technology Platform (ECTP) and Built4People, with the aim of strengthening coordination and fostering greater synergies across European research and innovation initiatives.
As a member of the European Council for Construction Research, Development and Innovation (ECCREDI), ACE actively contributes to shaping research, innovation, and policy frameworks that enable architects to deliver high-quality, future-proof, and human-centred built environments.
The ECCREDI 2026 Strategy sets out a unified vision for the design and construction sector ahead of discussions on the next Multiannual Financial Framework and the future European research and innovation agenda.
Six Priority Areas of the ECCREDI Strategy
- Workforce transformation — Reskilling for a digital, AI-enabled and clean construction industry
- Climate adaptation — Designing safer, healthier and more resilient buildings and infrastructure
- Climate mitigation — Accelerating whole-life carbon reduction and net-positive construction
- Digital & industrialised construction — Advancing BIM, digital twins, automation and interoperable data
- Circular & affordable built environment — Enabling reuse, adaptability and material efficiency
- A competitive, sustainable ecosystem — Modernising procurement, standards, liability and business models
The full strategy is available here:
https://www.eccredi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ECCREDI-Strategy-BROCH-2026.pdf
