Sustainable, inclusive, affordable and beautiful solutions for thermal comfort in buildings

Expected Outcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Significantly higher awareness of the construction ecosystem actors about solutions that are inspired by vernacular knowledge^[1], nature-based solutions^[1], bioclimatic design and/or frugal innovation^[1].
• The application of the developed solutions helps to achieve and maintain the thermal comfort in buildings while significantly reducing life cycle energy use, GHG emissions and costs compared to solutions that currently dominate the market.

Expected EU contribution per project: €4 million

Scope:

Reducing life cycle GHG emissions in buildings is key to meet the Green Deal’s objectives and make the built environment more sustainable^[1]. However, achieving thermal comfort inside buildings with poor thermal resilience often relies on energy-intensive solutions, such as air conditioning which not only emits GHGs and represents significant energy costs, but also contributes to urban heat island effects, impacting the health and well-being in neighbourhoods^[1], particularly for groups in a vulnerable situation such as the elderly and low-income households.

There is therefore a need to further develop and demonstrate the effectiveness of beautiful^[1], sustainable and affordable solutions for achieving thermal comfort in buildings that are inspired by vernacular principles, nature-based solutions, bioclimatic design and/or frugal innovation.

Proposals are expected to address all of the following:

• Develop and demonstrate at least two solutions for achieving thermal comfort in buildings based on vernacular principles, nature-based solutions, bioclimatic design and/or frugal innovation. Demonstrate the two solutions on new and/or existing buildings – including at least one cultural heritage building – in at least two different climatic zones located in different Member States and/or Associated Countries.
• Evaluate the reduction in life cycle GHG emissions and life cycle costs as well as the improvement in affordability compared to solutions currently on the market.
• Ensure the accessibility of the solution to groups in a vulnerable situation and the aesthetic appeal^[7] of the solutions developed.
• Identify barriers hindering the implementation, scalability and replicability of the proposed solutions, including regulatory aspects, and provide recommendations and guidance to overcome them.

Proposals are expected to follow a participatory^[8] and transdisciplinary approach^[1] through the integration of different actors and disciplines.

Synergies should be explored and, as appropriate, pursued with other relevant initiatives such as the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. In particular, the topic HORIZON-MISS-2025-01-CLIMA-04: Testing and demonstrating innovative solutions to improve resilience to extreme heat, including addressing health impacts should be considered.

Proposals are expected to allocate at least 0.8% of their budget for engaging with the Horizon Europe-funded 'New European Bauhaus hub for results and impact' to share their intermediate and final results, findings and learning, as well as to contribute to impact assessment.

[1] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[2] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[3] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[4] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[5] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[6] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[7] See definition of "beautiful” in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[8] See definition of “participatory process” in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[9] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.