Smart Buildings
ISBE
Information Systems
in the Built Environment
The ISBE Group is part of the Department of the Built Environment at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). The ISBE group carries out research and education in the field of information systems for design, engineering, construction and management of the built environment.
Get an insight into our Research and Education activities below.
Research
Research
This section lists several selected research projects, conducted by our Postdoctoral, PhD, and EngD researchers.
Categories
Research projects are performed for the below topics and research categories.
Building Informatics
Building Information Modelling and Management
Urban Informatics
Urban data management and analytics
Digital Twinning
Building and City Digital Twins
Circular economy
Enabling a circular built environment
Internet of Things
Embedding and integrating devices, data streams and software
Linked Building Data
Ontologies, Linked Data and Semantic Web technologies
Sustainability and Energy
Sustainability, building performance and energy transition
Construction Process Modeling
Information management and process modelling
Artificial Intelligence
AI for design, engineering, construction and operation
Construction Robotics
Robotics and automated technology to support on-site workforce
Mobility
Smart mobility, traffic simulations and innovative mobility services
Parametric Design
Computational and algorithmic design methods and technologies
Projects
These research projects are updated over time, and only the latest research projects are shown. For a full overview of the ISBE research output, please refer to ISBE Research Output and ISBE Group Pages.
Building Informatics
Linked Building Data (LBD)
Construction Robotics
Robot Navigation and Robot Construction
Building Information Modelling
Durable Re-use of Spatial Data - Amsterdam Project
Energy Transition
IEBB Project: Data platform for housing renovations
Urban Digital Twins
KPN Flagship Project: Digital Twin of Eindhoven
Generative AI
EAISI EMDAIR Project: Creative Machines
Durable Re-use of Spatial Data - Amsterdam Project
In the project 'Durable Re-use of Spatial Data (DHRD in Dutch)', a BIM validator tool was built that allows to validate whether files created using BIM tools and BIM processes can be stored in a durable manner for long-term re-use (10-20 year term).
- BIM
- IDS
- IFC
- Web-based BIM
Linked Building Data (LBD)
The ISBE research group is a big proponent in the Linked Building Data (LBD) project, which aims to make Building Data generally available using linked data and semantic web technologies (RDF/OWL). Using this LBD approach, various kinds of building data can be made available and interlinked in RDF-based graph databases over the Web.
- Linked Building Data
- Web-based BIM
- Graph Databases
- Digital Twin
Brains4Buildings
Brains for Building's Energy Systems (B4B) is a multi-year, multi-stakeholder project focused on developing methods to harness big data from smart meters, building management systems and the Internet of Things devices, to reduce energy consumption, increase comfort, respond flexibly to user behaviour and local energy supply and demand, and save on installation maintenance costs. This will be done through the development of faster and more efficient Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence models and algorithms. The project is geared to existing utility buildings such as commercial and institutional buildings.
- Smart Buildings
- Linked Building Data
- Control Systems
- Web-based BIM
IEBB Project
The Integrale Energietransitie in Bestaande Bouw (Integrated Approaches for the Energy Transition in Existing Buildings) is a multi-year, multi-stakeholder program focused on developing affordable and user-friendly renovation concepts for residential buildings. The program consortium is working on innovative solutions for heat conversion and storage, digitization, industrialization concepts, decision-making frameworks, value chain integration and partnership models.
- Energy Transition
- Web-based BIM
- Data Platform
- House Clustering
- Supply Chains
- Construction 4.0
Robot Navigation and Robot Construction
Several ongoing projects are focusing on navigation and collaborative construction with robots. This includes the creation of a robotic simulation platform based on BIM models and Smart Components (PhD project), research on self-navigating robots relying on live cloud-based BIM models, and updating of BIM models based on real-time communication from mobile robots.
- Web-based BIM
- Linked Building Data
- Robot Construction
- Robot Navigation
- Control Systems
TUe-KPN Flagship Project on Digital Twinning
In the TUe-KPN Flagship project, ISBE collaborates on the topic of Digital Twinning of urban environments (cities) and buildings. By using the developed digital twin technology, a detailed overview can be achieved of the built environment and all data involved. This is being used to improve health and comfort in the built environment, using the feedback obtained from people and diverse databases in specific environments.
- Urban Digital Twin
- Linked Building Data
- Graph Databases
- Smart Buildings
EAISI EMDAIR Creative Machines project
Creativity forms the basis for the design of all human artefacts. This Creative AI Machines project aims to research creativity and develop creative AI methods to (a) generate creative design solutions, and (b) emerge and promote creativity in (human) design processes through close interaction between AI and humans. The research will be consolidated with a framework on human-machine embodied interaction design.
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computational Creativity
- Product Design
- Robotics
- Generative AI
Durable Re-use of Spatial Data - Amsterdam Project
In the project 'Durable Re-use of Spatial Data (DHRD in Dutch)', a BIM validator tool was built that allows to validate whether files created using BIM tools and BIM processes can be stored in a durable manner for long-term re-use (10-20 year term).
Linked Building Data (LBD)
The ISBE research group is a big proponent in the Linked Building Data (LBD) project, which aims to make Building Data generally available using linked data and semantic web technologies (RDF/OWL). Using this LBD approach, various kinds of building data can be made available and interlinked in RDF-based graph databases over the Web.
Brains4Buildings (B4B Project)
Brains for Building's Energy Systems (B4B) is a multi-year, multi-stakeholder project focused on developing methods to harness big data from smart meters, building management systems and the Internet of Things devices, to reduce energy consumption, increase comfort, respond flexibly to user behaviour and local energy supply and demand, and save on installation maintenance costs. This will be done through the development of faster and more efficient Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence models and algorithms. The project is geared to existing utility buildings such as commercial and institutional buildings.
Integrated Approaches for the Energy Transition in Existing Buildings - IEBB Project
The Integrale Energietransitie in Bestaande Bouw (Integrated Approaches for the Energy Transition in Existing Buildings) is a multi-year, multi-stakeholder program focused on developing affordable and user-friendly renovation concepts for residential buildings. The program consortium is working on innovative solutions for heat conversion and storage, digitization, industrialization concepts, decision-making frameworks, value chain integration and partnership models.
Robot Navigation and Construction
Several ongoing projects are focusing on navigation and collaborative construction with robots. This includes the creation of a robotic simulation platform based on BIM models and Smart Components (PhD project), research on self-navigating robots relying on live cloud-based BIM models, and updating of BIM models based on real-time communication from mobile robots.
TUe-KPN Flagship Project on Digital Twinning
In the TUe-KPN Flagship project, ISBE collaborates on the topic of Digital Twinning of urban environments (cities) and buildings. By using the developed digital twin technology, a detailed overview can be achieved of the built environment and all data involved. This is being used to improve health and comfort in the built environment, using the feedback obtained from people and diverse databases in specific environments.
EAISI EMDAIR Creative Machines project
Creativity forms the basis for the design of all human artefacts. This Creative AI Machines project aims to research creativity and develop creative AI methods to (a) generate creative design solutions, and (b) emerge and promote creativity in (human) design processes through close interaction between AI and humans. The research will be consolidated with a framework on human-machine embodied interaction design.
Education
Education
This section lists selected educational projects in which ISBE research group members are involved.
Master Programs
ISBE is actively involved in three master programs, namely the Master of Construction Management and Engineering (CME), the Master of Architecture, Building and Planning (ABP), and the Master of AI and Engineering Systems (AI&ES).
Construction Management and Engineering (CME)
ISBE is heavily involved and committed to delivering the 4TU CME Master program. The 4TU CME Master is organised at TU Eindhoven by the Built Environment (BE) and Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (IE&IS) departments. It has two main tracks, namely Building Information Management (BIM) and City Information Management (CIM). With courses across the BE and IE&IS Departments, this educational program offers the best in terms of construction and engineering (buildings) as well as process modelling, supply chains, and innovation in the built environment at large. Key topics are city information management, advanced data management, circularity, and sustainable innovation.
Architecture, Building, and Planning (ABP)
Furthermore, several courses in the Architecture, Building, and Planning (ABP) are offered by ISBE staff and researchers. This mainly involves those courses that involve the use of information systems, databases, programming, and modelling, such as the courses Parametric Design, Digital Built Environment, Fundamentals of BIM, System Engineering, Information Management and Process Modelling, as well as several project-based courses (Challenge-Based Learning - CBL).
Artificial Intelligence and Engineering Systems (AI&ES)
Finally, the ISBE group participates in the AI&ES Master Program, that is offered as a multi-departmental program at Eindhoven University of Technology. More particularly, the ISBE group is mainly concerned with the Smart Buildings and Cities track of the AI&ES Program. Courses and student projects in this track focus on the use of AI techniques for improving construction procedures and the overall quality and comfort in our built environment. Besides this track, several other tracks are also offered at AI&ES.
Student Projects
Projects listed below are selected example projects from our students across the listed master programs. All graduation projects are stored in the OfCourse CME Master Thesis Database.
Digital Twins
Linked data-based Digital Twins for increasing the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) of individuals working from home
City Information Modelling
Providing location-based health information using dynamic, aggregated and static urban data
Construction & Demolition Waste Flows
Connecting reusable products from the Construction & Demolition Waste flows with construction sites
Design for Circularity
BIM-based Building Circularity Assessment from the Early Design Stages
Circularity
Framework for project managers to integrate circularity in construction projects
Participation Processes
Stakeholders preferences for participation in construction projects
Cyclists Behavior Modelling
Evaluating the impacts of traffic demand and infrastructure design on cyclists' behavior
Linked data-based Digital Twins for increasing the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) of individuals working from home
This research aims to explore the possibility of using linked data-based Digital Twins for the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). This is achieved through a proof-of-concept (PoC) case set in a working from home (WFH) environment. The IEQ is made measurable by using the IEQ parameters: temperature, humidity, light intensity, sound pressure level, and indoor air quality (IAQ) level. The emphasis of this PoC is placed on the individual's comfort as objective, with the integration of personal preference. Since the IEQ of a WFH environment is currently designed to facilitate leisure tasks, this now pressures the at-home environment to conform to both the needs of leisure and work tasks. This use was never the aim of the at-home environment and thus poses challenges aligned with the required shift of working from office (WFO) to WFH. A hybrid linked data and relational database approach have been used to facilitate the Digital Twin.
- Digital Twin
- Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
- Linked Data
- Web-based BIM
Providing location-based health information using dynamic, aggregated and static urban data
The goal of this research was to create an efficient framework and method to provide Urban Health information for both short- and long-term decision-making making use of mobile sensors in combination with static data. A summarized list of 6 variables (Air Quality, Heat, Noise, Green Spaces, Walkability and Traffic Safety) was constructed to form the basis of the Urban Health Index (UHI). As both dynamic and static data are included in the UHI, a hexagonal grid is used to visualize the scores of each location. This grid combines the spatial resolutions of both data types, while ensuring high resolution information discovery. Moreover, end-user research showed that current use of locationbased applications is mostly concerned with finding optimal routes.
- Urban Health Index
- Urban Data Management
- Digital Twin
Connecting reusable products from the Construction & Demolition Waste flows with construction sites
The supply and demand for reusable building products in the construction sector is growing, however it was found that this process is still unstandardised and is lacking product information. Besides, finding a suitable reusable product for architects and contractors was found time consuming. To enhance this process of reusing building products, this study aims at valorising the reusable product market by standardising the inventarisation during the deconstruction process and match this data with information from the Building Information Modelling (BIM) model of the new building in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) code. To solve this problem, in total three application that are working together were created. First, an inventarisation application is developed for inventorising reusable products in the existing building stock, that does not contain a BIM model.
- Web-based BIM
- Circularity
- Construction and Demolition Waste
BIM-based Building Circularity Assessment from the Early Design Stages
The target of this research is to develop a BIM-based Building Circularity Assessment (BCA) the framework that enables an automated assessment for measuring the building's circularity from different levels of building's composition (material, product, system, and building). Meanwhile, this framework can facilitate the design of the circular building by providing decision-making support. A literature review is carried out to identify the indicators that can reflect the progress towards a circular building throughout the whole lifecycle and determine the assessment model to be adopted by the BCA. Furthermore, the integration approaches between Building Information Modelling (BIM) tool and BCA are explored and evaluated. After that, the BIM-based BCA framework, which utilizes Dynamo for Revit as the essential tool to establish an automatic and efficient link between the BIM model and external building circularity database, conducts a quantitative BCA and generates the outcomes in Autodesk Revit.
- Building Information Modelling
- Building Circularity Assessment (BCA)
- Circularity
Framework for project managers to integrate circularity in construction projects
This study provides a first approach to integrate circularity in the early stages of a construction project by the project manager. The circular ambition of the Dutch government stimulates a different approach in project management compared to traditional projects. To manage circular projects, project managers need to have knowledge about how to integrate circularity in the initiation and definition phase of a construction project. This research tries to design a solution by creating a framework for the project managers to integrate circularity in the initial phases of construction projects.
- Circularity
- Construction Management
Stakeholders preferences for participation in construction projects
This study aims to increase the understanding of stakeholders' preferences regarding features of participation processes in real-estate development projects using discrete choice models. A literature review produced a state-of-the-art overview of the advantages and features of best participation practices. The core advantage of stakeholder participation is that it enhances the quality of the decisions. A selection of the features is transformed into attributes and attribute levels. These attribute levels represent hypothetical participation process alternatives and are combined into choice sets with two alternatives. Respondents indicated in an online questionnaire in what alternative they most likely participate. .
- Preference Modelling
- Survey
- Participation Processes
Evaluating the impacts of traffic demand and infrastructure design on cyclists' behavior
This research presents innovate methods to model cyclists' behavior in a multimodal environment. To validate the behavioral model, GPS data was collected by conducting an unconstrained cycling experiment. The validated behavioral model is applied to a high-density cycling area in the City of Utrecht.
- City Information Modelling
- Cyclists
- Behavior Modelling
Staff
Staff
Meet the ISBE staff of Professors, PhD researchers, Postdocs, and EngDs.
Staff
Postdoctoral researchers
PhD and EngD researchers
Repositories
Code Repositories and Open Data
As part of our research program, we strive to keep our projects open-source. Several code repositories and data stores are available through several repositories.
GitHub
A GitHub environment is maintained for the ISBE research group at https://github.com/ISBE-TUe/. This code repository lists most of our public code repositories for past and ongoing projects. Most repositories are associated to specific research projects, such as the DUTO BIM repository (DHRD) and the Atlas Digital Twin repository. Other repositories are forked from individual researchers in our ISBE lab.
GitLab
The ISBE GitLab environment (https://gitlab.tue.nl/ISBE) is a second environment where code from ISBE research projects is maintained. The GitLab environment has code repositories that are primarily available within the TUe network. The repositories in the TUe GitLab environment are therefore more closed source, including tutorials and demonstration projects for and by students in ISBE course. This includes a Python course, a Wiki-based environment with Parametric Design sample script (Rhino Grasshopper), and several student projects for reference.