Metabuilding Labs: network of testing facilities and innovation services for new building envelope, technologies and products
Objective
The Metabuilding Labs project aims to create and implement a European Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) focused on the development and testing of building envelope solutions.
The OITB provides services that support and accelerate innovation for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping them enhance their competitiveness against larger industry players.
The metabuilding.com platform serves as a single access point to the innovation ecosystem, which includes the OITB Metabuilding Labs. This platform is administered and managed by the Metabuilding ASBL association.
Results
- Easier access to tests and support services from the idea phase to market entry is provided through the Metabuilding Single Entry Point and its platform.
- Innovators will have structured access to pilot demonstration sites.
- During the development phase of the OITB (One Stop Shop for Innovative Technology and Business), testing infrastructures will be designed and developed across Europe, including:
- Seven innovative facade test bench facilities (see photo) that will allow construction systems and solutions to be tested under real conditions, at a 1:1 scale, and at an affordable price.
- Ten laboratory test facilities that will be developed or acquired by the network.
Mission
NOBATEK is coordinating the project and is also responsible for the operating services related to O3BET. Regarding the equipment for the region, NOBATEK is finalizing the design of a O3BET test bench, which will be installed in Bordeaux and become operational in 2025.
An Air-Water-Wind (AEV) test bench, along with prototyping equipment, has been installed at COVERIS in Le Haillan (33). This equipment is utilized to test large-scale façade elements such as curtain walls and cladding. In addition to being used by the COVERIS teams, NOBATEK and CSTB offer this equipment as part of a package dedicated to all French stakeholders involved in the product qualification process.
Funding
17 M€
This project was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 953193.
Time period
2021 – 2026
Clusters and associations
ECTP, PTEC, Feder Costruzioni, European Aluminium
Envelope technology developers
Hormipresa, Coveris, Edilians, Onyx, Urban Canopée
Universities
Université de Bordeaux, Galway University, Università Mediterranea di reggio Calabria, Universidad del País Vasco
Test service providers
Emi, Cartif Technology Centre, Stress, RISE, BAM, LIST, Tekniker, IDONIAL, Buildwise, Instytut Techniki Budowlanej
Digital development and services
Minsait, Ekodenge, Ecowise
Operation and communication
R2M, Impulse Partners, Be Commons, Construction 21
Social housing providers and living labs
Vipasa, Housing Europe, Polylogis Logistic, European Network of Living Labs, ROOM2030, Basaksehir