DigiFab – Digital Process Chain for Energy Renovations Using Prefabrication

DigiFab is a European research and innovation project that is developing a new digitally supported approach to energy-efficient building renovation. Its goal is to make renovations faster, more cost-effective, and more resource-efficient by intelligently combining digital tools, automated analyses, and prefabricated façade modules. The foundation is a digital process chain that spans the entire renovation workflow—from the initial building assessment through planning and production to installation and operational optimisation. This reduces information gaps, shortens planning time, and increases execution quality.

DigiFab is being tested and further developed in three European demonstration projects in Spain, Greece, and Austria. The Austrian demonstration site plays a key role: a residential building in Bruck an der Mur will be partially equipped with bio-based façade modules and an innovative active heating and cooling system. The aim is to significantly improve the energy performance of the existing building stock, minimise on-site disruption during installation, and enhance long-term indoor comfort. The active façade enables efficient transfer of heating and cooling loads from the exterior, while bio-based materials reduce environmental impacts.

Across all three countries, occupants and building owners are actively involved through a co-creation process. In addition, comprehensive energy and indoor-climate measurements are conducted before and after renovation to verify the actual benefits of the applied technologies. DigiFab demonstrates how digital methods, prefabricated components, and innovative energy systems can jointly contribute to increasing the renovation rate in Europe and accelerating the transition to a climate-neutral building stock.