DESCRIBE

DESCRIBE develops a digital framework to support more sustainable and circular decisions across the building lifecycle. The project combines Field-to-BIM technologies, material detection, and digital analysis tools to improve the assessment of existing buildings and support decisions on renovation, structural upgrading, and energy retrofit.

 

Buildings are a major source of resource use and carbon emissions in Europe, yet information on materials, condition, and structural or environmental performance is often incomplete. DESCRIBE addresses this gap by integrating digital surveying, automated material recognition, and structured data management in Building Information Models (BIM).

 

The framework will enable stakeholders to capture detailed data from existing buildings and convert them into digital models enriched with information on geometry, materials, and condition. These models will support preliminary structural evaluations, energy retrofit planning, and circular strategies such as reuse and recycling of building components.

 

DESCRIBE brings together Fraunhofer Italia Research, Eurac Research, Photogram, Pfeifer Partners, and ARO-Konsortium, combining expertise in digital technologies, construction engineering, material analysis, and applied research.

 

By linking physical building data with digital models, DESCRIBE supports data-driven planning, reduces uncertainty in renovation projects, and promotes more sustainable management of the built environment.

 

Project details

Name: FESR 1106 DESCRIBE – Digital Framework for Sustainability and Circularity in the Building Lifecycle 

CUP: B57H25003270007

Funding: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - Investment in growth and employment 2021 - 2027.

Project Coordinator: Fraunhofer Italia

Project Partners: Eurac Research, Photogram Srl, Pfeifer Partners Srl, ARO Consorzio  

Duration: 01.2026 – 12.2028

Budget: € 565.145,36 (of which funded: € 494.558,16)