KRAISBAU – alchemia-nova | institute for innovative phytochemistry & closed loop processes

Project summary

35% of global resource consumption and 40% of worldwide emissions are attributed to the construction and building sector. A disruptive shift towards circular construction methods is essential to achieve climate change goals. The lifespan of buildings must be significantly extended, effective renovations carried out, buildings repurposed, and the reuse of construction components optimized. AI and digitalization play a crucial role in standardizing processes and closing data gaps.
In this context, KRAISBAU plays the role of a flagship project funded by the BMK (Federal Ministry for Climate Action), bringing together 32 partners, including companies, research institutions, and other organizations, with the goal of revolutionizing the construction industry through sustainable and circular practices. The project aims to establish the conditions for a circular economy in construction in Austria, providing a significant push toward AI-supported circular construction. By leveraging the expertise of 32 organizations, KRAISBAU aims to create scalable and effective solutions for managing existing buildings, integrating digital tools, specifically artificial intelligence, to drive the transition towards circular construction. The project also evaluates technical and legal frameworks, and the results and standards are disseminated to the entire industry through factsheets, roadmaps, and training.

Project Goals

Networking: KRAISBAU seeks to connect the Austrian construction community to advance circular construction methods across the country.
strong>Digitalization: The project will develop AI and digital tools to facilitate circular management, improve efficiency, and identify potential savings.
Re-Use and Recycling: KRAISBAU aims to enhance the disassembly and recyclability of building components, thus extending their lifecycle.
Lifecycle Management: The project will focus on managing and optimizing the entire lifecycle of buildings and their resources.
Standardization: KRAISBAU will establish standardized data collection processes and automate them wherever possible.
Roadmap for Circular Economy: The project will define specific actions to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in the construction industry.
Knowledge Transfer: KRAISBAU will make its findings available to the entire industry through factsheets, roadmaps, and training materials.

KRAISBAU Approach and Key Activities

KRAISBAU brings together experts from various fields to lay the foundations for circular construction. By focusing on data integration, it enhances decision-making through the use of satellite and geodata, and models the return of secondary materials. Flexibility in building use is another key focus, with automated plans for repurposing and renovation based on building analysis.

The project prioritizes the reuse of building components, using AI for efficient design, and explores optimal recycling methods for construction materials. Lifecycle assessments help integrate biological and water cycles, while AI is used for preventive maintenance. Legal and tax systems are evaluated to remove barriers to circular practices, and the project’s demonstration projects will showcase feasible solutions, ensuring knowledge transfer across the industry. These projects will serve as examples of successful implementation and provide valuable insights for the broader construction community.

Conclusions

KRAISBAU offers a unique opportunity to lead the construction sector toward a circular economy, using artificial intelligence to optimize processes and maximize efficiency. Through collaboration, the project provides scalable, practical solutions that will reduce environmental impact and promote the circular economy.