In the heart of Barcelona, a digital revolution is sweeping through the construction industry, promising to reshape how buildings are managed and maintained. At the forefront of this transformation is Jordi Marrot-i-Tico, a leading figure from the Colegio de la Arquitectura Técnica de Barcelona. His groundbreaking research, published in the journal ‘Anales de Edificación’ (translated to English as ‘Annals of Construction’), introduces the “Libro del Edificio Digital” or Digital Building Book, a tool that could redefine the future of building management and energy efficiency.
The concept of the Digital Building Book is rooted in the broader movement of Industry 4.0 and PropTech, which emphasize the integration of digital technologies and big data into industrial and real estate processes. Marrot-i-Tico’s innovation centralizes all information about a building into a single, dynamic digital platform. This includes everything from structural details and maintenance records to energy consumption data and renovation plans.
“The Digital Building Book is not just about digitizing records,” Marrot-i-Tico explains. “It’s about creating a living, breathing digital twin of a building that evolves with it, enabling proactive management and continuous improvement.”
The implications for the energy sector are profound. With the European Union’s push for energy efficiency and the increasing demand for sustainable buildings, the Digital Building Book could become an invaluable tool. It allows for real-time monitoring and analysis of energy consumption, facilitating data-driven decisions that can significantly reduce a building’s carbon footprint. Moreover, it integrates the “pasaporte de la renovación energética” (Energy Renovation Passport) and the “pasaporte de materiales” (Materials Passport), ensuring that buildings are not only energy-efficient but also sustainable and safe.
For property managers and investors, this means more than just cost savings. It means the ability to make informed decisions about maintenance, renovations, and even the potential resale value of a property. “This tool empowers architects and technicians to be proactive, not reactive,” Marrot-i-Tico says. “It’s about anticipating issues before they become problems, and that’s a game-changer in the industry.”
The Digital Building Book also positions the architect technician as a key player in the digital revolution of construction. By integrating technology and construction, they can address contemporary challenges, from energy efficiency to sustainability and safety.
As the construction industry continues to evolve, the Digital Building Book could become a standard tool, shaping the future of building management. It’s a testament to how digital innovation can drive progress, not just in construction, but in energy efficiency and sustainability as well. With Marrot-i-Tico’s research published in ‘Anales de Edificación’, the stage is set for a new era in building management, one where data and digital technologies lead the way. The question now is, who will be the first to embrace this digital future?