The workshop ‘The Future of Construction’ took place online on 23 October 2025. It was the first Italian event in the training cycle promoted by the Circular.Buildings project, an Interreg Italy-Slovenia initiative that supports companies and professionals in adopting circular and sustainable construction models.
A changing sector: vision and concrete tools are needed
After the welcome greetings, the meeting opened with an introduction dedicated to the theme of system vision, necessary to address the challenges of a sector undergoing profound transformation. The construction sector – responsible for over 36% of emissions and 37.5% of total waste – is now called upon to rethink processes, materials and design approaches from a circular perspective.
Technical innovation and sustainability
Engineer Francesco Marinelli led several presentations dedicated to innovation in building and plant design, the use of materials and efficient water management. These topics were addressed with a practical approach, aimed at showing how digitisation, BIM and the adoption of Life Cycle Thinking can improve the quality and durability of buildings.
Next, Dr Alice Bolzan explored the role of environmental certification and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as key tools for assessing and reducing the impact of buildings throughout their entire life cycle, in line with European circular economy standards.
Finally, Roberto Zecchini illustrated the opportunities linked to energy efficiency and the integration of renewable energy sources (RES), highlighting how the most advanced technologies make it possible to combine sustainability and economic competitiveness.
Participatory round tables and services for businesses and professionals
The second part of the workshop was dedicated to participatory round tables, where businesses, designers and technicians were able to share experiences and proposals for innovating their activities, promoting cross-border collaboration between Italy and Slovenia.
In closing, the project representatives presented the services offered by Circular.Buildings, including the future circular construction web platform, which will offer practical tools, best practice guides and a networking space for businesses and consultants in the sector.
A shared path towards the construction industry of the future
The meeting on 23 October confirmed the importance of an integrated and collaborative approach to the green transition of the construction sector. Circular.Buildings will continue in the coming months with further training events and opportunities for discussion dedicated to companies and professionals interested in sustainable innovation.
