IRIC2025 will host a workshop about Open Innovation Test Bed for building envelope products

At the InnoRenew CoE International Conference 2025 (IRIC2025) “From lab to life: innovative solutions for a healthier and greener built environment”, we will host a workshop of MEZeroE project: Open Innovation Test Bed for building envelope products: how can open innovation lead to better building envelopes?

The aim of this workshop is to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of MEZeroE OITB (Open Innovation Test Bed) as currently constructed. To do so at the workshop speakers – Francesco Babich, Olaia Aurrekoetxea-Arratibel, Urška Blumauer, Akshit Gupta and Žiga Kraškovic – will present the project and the issues they are addressing, followed by four thematic interactive sessions about lab and technical support, services for certification and open innovation support, real-world performance analysis in real buildings, and industry perspective.

Workshop speakers:

Francesco Babich, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy

Francesco is a senior researcher at Eurac Research where he focuses on indoor environmental quality (indoor air quality; thermal and acoustic comfort) in various contexts (schools, offices, and residential) using different techniques. His research methods include indoor environmental modelling (CFD), field studies, and lab experiments with human participants and/or manikins. He is coordinating the project H2020 “MEZeroE – Measuring Envelope products and systems contributing to next generation of healthy nearly Zero Energy Buildings”, and previously led also the projects “Breath: Indoor air quality and health in Province offices” (funded by Bolzano Province) and ERDF “New-Air – New approach for energy efficient IEQ: research institutions and industry cooperate in South Tyrol.” He is the chair of the IBPSA Publications Committee and early career editorial board member of the Journal of Building Performance Simulation (JBPS). He is member of ASHRAE Technical Committees 2.1 “Physiology and Human Environment”, and 4.10 “Indoor Environmental Modeling”. Previously, he studied at University of Trieste (Italy) and at Loughborough University (UK). For more information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescobabich/

Olaia Aurrekoetxea-Arratibel, TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Azpeitia, Spain

Olaia is a researcher at the Fire Safety Laboratory of Tecnalia, specializing in the fire risks associated with photovoltaics. As a PhD candidate, her work focuses on enhancing safety standards in energy generation systems in the built environment. She actively participates in several European-funded projects in the field of renewable energy. Within the MEZeroE H2020 Project, she coordinates the implementation of all Pilot Measurement and Verification Lines (PM&VL) and leads the set-up of the PM&VL managed by Tecnalia. Previously, she studied at Polytechnic University of Madrid (Spain). For more information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olaiaaurrekoetxea/

Urška Blumauer, ZAG, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Urška is a researcher and head of Fire laboratory and Fire engineering at ZAG where the focus is on reaction and resistance to fire testing both for outside companies as well as for research. She is involved in bespoke fire resistance testing of steel, timber, composite and concrete structural elements. In terms of research, she is involved in H2020 project MEZeroE – Measuring Envelope products and systems contributing to next generation of healthy nearly Zero Energy Buildings where she leads work package dedicated to product testing in real buildings. She is part of national and international projects dedicated to reclaimed timber testing in case of fire. She is editor in chief of Slovene magazine Požar. Previously, she studied at University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering. For more information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/udolinar/

Akshit Gupta, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy

Akshit is a researcher in the field of indoor environmental quality (thermal comfort, and indoor air quality) at Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy. His work focuses on thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ), and natural ventilation across various building typologies. He actively contributes to experimental and field-based studies through advanced CFD modeling, chamber testing, and sensor-based monitoring. In the MEZeroE project, he is involved in real-environment product testing in the Living Lab task, and performance evaluation within the Open Innovation Services for IEQ (OIS2) framework, contributing to the design and validation of façade-integrated systems in the test bed buildings. His research covers IAQ protocols for school buildings, ceiling fan automation, and building aerodynamics. He holds a Master’s in Architectural Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, and a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from BITS Pilani. For more information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshitgupta372/

Žiga Kraškovic, Riko Hiše, Ribnica, Slovenia

Žiga is a technologist at Riko Hiše, where he focuses on the development of modular construction and the design of technical plans for modern timber buildings. His work combines innovative approaches to sustainable construction with advanced technological solutions based on the use of wood as a primary building material. He is involved in MEZeroE project with Riko Hiše as an industrial partner providing a real-environment product for testing as a part of a Living Lab task. He holds a degree in Wood Science and Technology from the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana. For more information: www.linkedin.com/in/ziga-kraskovic