The participants were unanimous: without digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI), nothing will work in the construction industry. They are needed as a response to increasing complexity - for example in building technology, where people are no longer able to process the huge amount of data collected themselves. But it is also needed to increase efficiency and productivity in times of a shortage of skilled workers, declining productivity and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gases in construction.
In their talks, the speakers presented examples from their specialist areas. Bruno Michel from IBM Research, for example, spoke about the latest developments in artificial intelligence for the construction industry, but also about why we should talk about the enormous energy consumption of AI as well as "artificial stupidity" when generative AI generates incorrect information with poor training data from the internet. Jörn Plönnigs from the University of Rostock also noted that a lack of training data was a major problem in the construction sector. However, he emphasized that AI in construction is neither a curse nor a blessing, but a necessity. The fact that its advantages are increasingly being recognized is reflected in the following comparison: 66 percent of architects work with BIM, which has been around for around thirty years. In contrast, 41 percent were already using AI, which is only a few years old.
Digitized into the future
Marcel Imfeld, Schindler Aufzüge AG, explained that digitalization also enables completely new solutions for elevators. Intelligent elevator control systems increase the transport capacities of elevators and reduce their energy consumption. In this way, they facilitate high-density construction and the flexible conversion of existing buildings. Roman Steffen, Trafiko AG/Trafikpoint AG, also spoke about intelligent mobility. He presented a new approach for "Mobility as a service" with private mobility stations for areas, whereby the sharing vehicles are booked and paid for via an app. The aims are to reduce the number of parking spaces, increase the acceptance of construction projects and achieve climate and sustainability goals.Automated measurement, analysis and comparison
The automated monitoring of buildings was the subject of various presentations. Stefan Schneiter, Amstein+Walthert AG, presented a digital test system for performance monitoring in Switzerland’s largest Minergie-P-Eco-certified hospital building. Digitalization makes it possible to extend the test phase into the first year of operation under real use and thus detect malfunctions at an early stage. Sabine von Stockar from Minergie also spoke about monitoring after the commissioning of new buildings. She presented Monitoring+, which automatically compares planning and measurement data in Minergie buildings. After commissioning, a report is made, incorrect settings are optimized and energy is saved. The Minergie operation certificate will be launched in May 2025 for well-operated Minergie buildings. Olivier Steiger from Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts also gave a presentation on adjustment monitoring in the first and second year of operation of buildings. He presented a low-cost monitoring system developed by the HSLU, with which individual systems can be easily and temporarily examined and then optimized.Projects from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
Lighting quality should also be measured, evaluated and optimized, explained Oliver Stefani, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Light controls the body’s circadian rhythm; if this is disturbed, the risk of various illnesses increases and with it the economic damage. Adrian Altenburger from Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts explained that there are still no standards for the energy efficiency of data centers in Switzerland, even though their power consumption is expected to double by 2040 with the advent of artificial intelligence. He presented the work on a new SIA standard for the energy efficiency of data centers and presented best-practice examples of data centers in which waste heat is used for heating, for example.Exciting innovations can be found not only in Switzerland, but all over the world. The aim of the "Solar Butterfly" is to find a thousand solutions to climate change on a trip around the world. This is a vehicle developed by Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and made mainly from ocean PET, which runs emission-free thanks to specially manufactured solar cells. Roger Buser from HSLU was on the road with it in India. He reported with impressive pictures of his trip and the numerous innovative solutions that are being found worldwide to combat climate change.
21st IGE Seminar of the Institute of Building Technology and Energy, March 12, 2025, Horw
The IPI seminar with around 110 participants from the fields of architecture, energy and building technology as well as related disciplines took place on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.Further information at: hslu.ch/ige-seminar
