KU Leuven (KUL) is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities, housing 15 faculties and cutting-edge research programs. The BioDigital ConstructionLab (BDCL), part of the Research Group Architectural Engineering, specialises in integrated bio-based and bio-fabricated building materials and systems. Their focus centres on external and internal building envelopes, following a bio-circular and regenerative design approach. The lab collaborates closely with the Building Physics and Sustainable Design research group at KUL’s Ghent Campus, combining expertise in sustainable construction.
Leading the Way in Digital Renovation
Within DigiFab, KUL plays a dual leadership role that positions it at the project’s strategic core. The team leads Work Package 2, analysing the initial needs for digital renovation processes, including context assessment, regulatory frameworks, and technical specifications. This foundational work ensures the project addresses real-world challenges from the outset.
In Work Package 5, KUL drives innovation by developing design concepts for prefabricated façade modules using market-ready bio-based materials. Their work includes evaluating material suitability for various applications—from external cladding to insulation—and conducting comprehensive risk-benefit analyses that balance environmental advantages with practical market considerations like local availability and affordability.
Game-Changing Integration for Sustainable Buildings
What makes DigiFab particularly compelling for KUL is its approach to vertical and horizontal integration of the typically fragmented building renovation process.
“This is a game changer to achieve the EC’s targets for bringing up the renovation rate of existing buildings,” the team emphasises. They see bio-based solutions and their associated industrial ecosystem as crucial to meeting European renovation goals.
Transforming Belgium’s Renovation Landscape
The project’s impact is especially significant for Belgium, where new regulatory pressures are reshaping the construction sector. From 2028, every newly purchased house must meet Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) label ‘D’, rising to ‘C‘ by 2030 and ‘B’ by 2035. Currently, bio-based materials represent less than 10% of the renovation market, while conventional materials dominate.
DigiFab’s integrated approach can catalyse change, promoting innovative solutions and developing Belgium’s national bio-circular construction materials market at a critical moment for the industry.
