As part of our project, Habitech and partner ALPENOS organised a dedicated Info Day for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to strengthen the role of the local construction sector in driving the green and circular transition in the Alpine region.
The event was held as a closing session of the local workshop “Local building ecosystem: challenges and opportunities for the green transition of the Alpine construction sector”, and was specifically designed to enable direct dialogue with SMEs from the Trentino–South Tyrol region.
Focusing on the New European Bauhaus (NEB)
A central part of the session focused on introducing the principles of the New European Bauhaus – sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics – and on how they are embedded in the BAUHALPS project. SMEs were presented with key tools such as the NEB toolkit, self-assessment methodology and investment guidelines, offering them a structured approach to navigate innovation and sustainability trends.
Interactive Discussion and Key Insights
The session facilitated an open exchange among professionals from various sectors, including timber construction, system installation, architectural design, and engineering. Key takeaways from the discussion included:
-
the urgent need for technical training on sustainability and circularity, alongside better awareness among local communities and private clients;
-
regulatory complexity and high renovation costs, identified as main barriers;
-
the potential of digital innovation, integrated design, and the involvement of younger generations as key drivers of change;
-
growing interest in the NEB initiative and its values, although some concerns were raised about translating the concept into concrete market applications.
Partnering with ALPENOS as a Local Best Practice
The Info Day was hosted at the newly inaugurated headquarters of ALPENOS, a local timber design and construction company whose philosophy closely aligns with the BAUHALPS vision. The space offered a fitting environment to bridge values and practice, and facilitated meaningful engagement between companies and the project team.
Next Steps
Habitech will continue engaging SMEs through targeted activities, particularly in the testing phase of the Circularity Maturity Assessment Tool, which is being developed to support companies in measuring their circularity levels. The BAUHALPS model will be validated through pilot case studies involving educational, residential, and public buildings.
In parallel, a long-term strategy will be developed to ensure the transfer of knowledge, tools, and policy support at the regional and macro-regional levels.
Follow us for more also on our social channels.
