The Building Legacy project, an innovative industrial research initiative, has been launched with the aim of conceptualizing, developing and prototyping a technological system that makes the reuse of construction materials and products viable. Through disruptive technologies of Industry 4.0, the project aims to transform the construction sector to make it more sustainable and efficient.

The construction sector is the main generator of waste in Europe, representing approximately 40% of total waste produced in the EU, according to Eurostat. This growing volume not only poses a logistical challenge, but also an environmental one, given that much of this waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated, processes that significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions. In Spain, construction and demolition waste represents 29.8% of the total, which highlights the urgency of implementing innovative and sustainable solutions such as those proposed by the project.

With a budget of €173,753 and a grant of €133,630 from the AEI 2024 call of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, Building Legacy is a commitment to the circular economy and innovation.

The consortium leading the project is made up of prominent organizations such as the BCD Foundation, La Salle Campus Barcelona, Comsa, inédit, Intelligent Chemistry – INTEMIC and the MAV Cluster.

On December 13th, the consortium members visited the Mercat de l’Abaceria, located on Passeig de Sant Joan in Barcelona, chosen as a case study. This building, designed for temporary use with the possibility of dismantling and recovery, will serve to demonstrate the technical and technological viability of the proposed solutions.

During the visit, elements such as the metal structure, insulation panels, glass, pipes and other relevant components were analyzed, to identify criteria such as ease of recovery, economic and environmental savings and aesthetic requirements.

Building Legacy will be developed in two phases, with a first stage focused on the technical validation and functional prototyping of a digital platform for the characterization and digitization of architectural components. The project will culminate in innovative solutions that help reuse and optimize resources in the construction sector, promoting sustainability and waste reduction.