Innovation

Construction companies typically send their materials and workers to a construction site where the building will be constructed in an uncontrolled environment, where elements such as extreme weather can affect the speed and quality with which work progresses. BuildUp has a more efficient and sustainable method: building components are manufactured in a factory and merely assembled on-site, allowing the process to be better controlled and delays due to onsite conditions to be avoided.

Furthermore, BuildUp uses light weight steel frames, substituting more sustainable alternatives for cement and bricks, made possible by their industrial construction method, which can also be used to renovate existing buildings, making them more energy-efficient. This is a huge opportunity to accelerate the renovation of many older buildings, improving their isolation.

BuildUp is having an impact on many of the 17 sustainable development goals. Following are a few examples.

• Climate action: BuildUp homes drastically reduce carbon footprint. Additionally, the company is working in helping to isolate old buildings to reduce energy consumption.
• Decent work and economic growth: Working in the controlled environment of a factory is safer than onsite construction for the employees.
• No poverty: BuildUp homes help tackle energy poverty by providing quick and effective isolation.

BuildUp houses from Belgium are making a difference in several European countries, such as France, where the company just completed a project refurbishing multiple schools over the summer vacation, a speed that would be extremely difficult to achieve with traditional, on-site construction.

Inspiration

BuildUp began as an idea to change the way people built in 2015. However, several years of research and development have been devoted to reaching efficient, plausible, and sustainable methods of building off-site. Finally, in 2020, their first house came out of the factory, which had been built in just one day.

The need to transform the construction sector into a sustainable industry prompted BuildUp's CEO, Hélène d Troostembergh, to explain that "the construction sector and buildings are responsible for 40 percent of CO2 emissions today and 50 percent of basic raw materials go into construction." Furthermore, the organization's leader pointed out that the materials frequently used in the assembly are put into the environment.

This data helps to understand that, while other industries have been evolving towards sustainability (by remodeling products and changing materials), the construction sector has not changed over the years, as the interviewee realized, "The construction sector is a terrible player in terms of sustainability."

Thus, their primary motivation was to contribute to the renovation of the construction sector by building inside a factory, using unique materials, and constantly considering energy and transportation costs as well as the client's needs. Their critical goal was to help have "a positive impact on the carbon footprint of the construction sector," and as the industry had made few steps towards sustainability, "to do better is easy."

In spite of the relatively more straightforward way of "doing better", Hélène de Troostembergh also specified the need of "structure, discipline and perseverance" when it comes to sustainably developing an innovation.

Overall impact

Because BuildUp is a new company, the effects of the innovation that could be analyzed are mostly short-term. For starters, the construction sector is generally doing better after using off-site building; BuildUp has reduced overall waste and has become faster and more sustainable in its business process. In terms of costs, prefabricated BuildUp houses are still more expensive. However, costs are expected to decrease in the long term, given the increase in production volume.

Furthermore, this innovation has greatly influenced the perspective of people buying houses. Changing the way people build houses by emphasizing sustainability has resulted in the importance of energy usage at home. Building more sustainable houses entails not only considering the energy used during construction but also keeping in mind the consumption of electricity, water, and heat in already-built houses.

Moreover, the innovation of construction off-site is expected to change the standards of the market, because it is a potentially scalable way of building that can turn to be the new paradigm for the construction sector in a not-so-distant future.

Business benefit

BuildUp demonstrated its ability to deliver high-quality, efficient, eco-friendly construction solutions, allowing them to secure investments to continue their journey. Despite being in the early stages of investment, BuildUp has rapidly expanded its workforce, consisting of professionals ranging from architects and engineers to construction experts.

BuildUp, on the other hand, has taken a unique approach to product development, actively engaging with its customers to better understand their needs. By cultivating an open communication strategy with its customers, the company has gained valuable insights into its target audience's preferences and pain points. Putting the customer first has strengthened the company's relationship with its clients and allowed them to make informed product improvements that directly catalyze growth.

Social and environmental benefit

BuildUp is leading a transformative movement in the construction industry, significantly benefiting society and the environment through its prefabricated modules for construction and renovation. With a strong commitment to sustainability, Buildup has allowed homeowners to quickly renovate their homes, and incorporate eco-friendly materials to establish climate-neutral living spaces. This approach minimizes the carbon footprint normally associated with the construction industry.

The company, by applying this radical innovation, has set a new standard for responsible construction practices; their emphasis on using sustainable resources reduces the environmental impact of construction and renovation and promotes the widespread adoption of biobased and circular materials within the industry; this strategic approach contributes significantly to the overall movement toward creating a more environmentally conscious and eco-friendly society.

As an example, a delighted homeowner experienced a remarkable transformation in their quality of life, all thanks to the exceptional prefab modules provided by "BuildUp." Prior to renovation, they paid a €2000 heating bill, but their world changed for the better when it dropped to €800 with the installation of these innovative modules. This organization's commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability significantly reduced the homeowner's expenses and made them happier.

Interview

Hélène de Troostembergh, CEO