Make It Green Bio-based Projects Series: Make It Green Bio-03 Article 04/26 Introduction  The biological transition in the construction sector finds its ultimate validation in the implementation of architectural projects that integrate low-environmental-impact materials. Following our analysis of bio-based stakeholders and products, this article examines six projects completed between 2023 and 2026. These interventions demonstrate how the use of biocomposites, natural fibers, and "grown" construction systems achieves equivalent or superior technical performance compared to traditional building methods, while ensuring the decarbonization of the built heritage at both national and European levels. The adoption of bio-based solutions is no longer a niche experimentation but a consolidated reality ranging from monumental restoration to large-scale urban developments. The goal of this analysis is to highlight the competitive advantage of such materials in terms of thermal phase shift, moisture management, and biogenic CO2 sequestration. Iconic Projects and Urban Innovation in Europe The integration of bio-based materials at an urban scale found a fundamental example in Germany, in the Roots Hamburg project, built with Rubner timber technology, has redefined the limits of timber construction, reaching heights previously reserved for concrete and steel. The use of mass timber (CLT and glulam) for this skyscraper allowed for a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to an equivalent building. The structural lightness of timber proved to be a decisive technical advantage for construction in coastal areas. In Paris, public housing is successfully experimenting with hempcrete. The Goutte d’Or project by Atelier Fuso demonstrates how to integrate a timber frame with hempcrete infill in a dense and historical urban context. This combination ensures excellent thermal and acoustic insulation along with natural moisture regulation. Similarly, the work of Dalin Bourgoin Architecte on bio-based residential projects confirms the effectiveness of using cast-in-place natural materials, drastically reducing the structural carbon footprint compared to traditional masonry systems.

Make It Digital AI Series: Make It Digital AI-02 Article 03/26 AI-based solutions for the construction sector: from automated MEP design to high-precision reality capture The landscape of AI- based solutions is expanding rapidly, ranging from automated Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) design to high-precision reality capture. The digital transformation of the construction industry is currently transitioning from static Building Information Modeling (BIM) toward an integrated "Cognitive Construction" ecosystem. While 2025 recorded a benchmark $6.57 billion in construction technology investments, the strategic focus has shifted: 64% of this capital is now allocated to productivity-enhancing tools, specifically AI and automation. Building upon our previous analysis of digital twin foundations, we now examine frontier products—from generative MEP engineering to multi-agent design support—that are addressing the industry’s most persistent labor shortages and efficiency bottlenecks . The evolution of generative design and BIM optimization The design phase represents the critical leverage point for both carbon and cost reduction, where AI-driven generative design is redefining architectural and engineering boundaries. A significant advancement in this field is represented by Clev.ai, an AI-based solution specifically designed to streamline the BIM authoring process. By automating repetitive modeling tasks and facilitating data-driven decision-making within the BIM environment, Clev.ai enables designers to reduce technical overhead and focus on architectural quality, ensuring that complex information models remain consistent and optimized throughout the project lifecycle. In the field of structural optimization, Autodesk Forma has deployed a cloud-based AI platform that enables real-time environmental analysis. By processing complex datasets—including wind patterns, solar radiation, and acoustic levels—the system allows designers to evaluate thousands of iterations in seconds. This ensures that a building’s massing and orientation are optimized for passive energy performance long before groundbreaking. Structural efficiency is further enhanced by computational pioneers such as Hyperganic. Their AI-driven algorithmic engineering enables the creation of complex, 3D-printable structural components that mimic trabecular biological structures. These elements are engineered through "functional gradients," where material density is strategically allocated only where mechanical stress requires it. This produces high-performance components that utilize up to 40% less material than traditional concrete or steel casting.