WDBE Summit Celebrates Innovation with Built Environment Awards
As the construction industry marches toward an increasingly digital future, innovations that bridge the gap between technology and sustainability are more crucial than ever.
The World of Digital Built Environment (WDBE) Summit 2024 Awards stands as a testament to this, recognising some of the most transformative solutions shaping the sector. From artificial intelligence (AI) to location-based services, the awards celebrate advancements that improve sustainability, project management, and research.
This year’s awards highlighted the cutting-edge use of digital tools in six key categories, bringing to the forefront how technology can revolutionise the built environment. Each winner represents a significant leap forward in digital integration, and their work sets a new benchmark for the industry.
The WDBE 2024 Award Categories
The WDBE 2024 Awards included six major categories, each spotlighting unique innovations.
These categories ranged from AI advancements to sustainability-driven projects, ensuring a broad spectrum of technologies and ideas were honoured.
Best Use of Location Information – Mapping Smarter Cities
Location-based services are becoming an essential component in smart city planning, and this year’s awards underscored their potential. A standout winner in this category was Aalto University’s project, “Smart Cities for Sensitive Minds: Optimising Urban Life for Highly Sensitive People (HSP).” By leveraging urban design and location data, this initiative aims to improve city life for HSP individuals, creating inclusive environments that enhance well-being.
Another finalist, Maptionnaire, used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to turn community insights into actionable data. Their approach enables local governments and planners to craft spaces that are both practical and cherished by their inhabitants.
Finally, xD Visuals Oy introduced the 6D Planner, a location-based environment management tool that takes project planning to the next level. This innovative tool integrates location data to streamline the decision-making process for built environments.
Most Innovative Digital Project Delivery – AI on the Jobsite
AI is rapidly becoming a vital player in the construction industry, and the finalists for Most Innovative Digital Project Delivery highlight its game-changing potential. Aiforsite Oy’s “Wendy AI” is a perfect example. Wendy AI acts as a virtual assistant for project teams, streamlining operations and ensuring that construction timelines are met without compromising on quality.
Another project, Caverion’s Field Observations System, redefines how site data is collected and processed. By digitising on-site observations, the system improves project transparency and facilitates better decision-making throughout the construction process.
Meanwhile, Vektor.io entered the fray with the mantra: “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” This project underscores the importance of real-time data collection for better project oversight, helping contractors and developers alike make informed decisions.
Best Research for Digital Built Environment – Driving Evidence-Based Solutions
Research plays a pivotal role in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in construction. In this category, Sitowise shone with their “Planect” tool, which provides climate impact assessments for urban development projects at lightning speed. Given the growing demand for sustainable urban planning, this tool will undoubtedly be a game-changer.
Tallinn University of Technology brought forward their Renovation Strategy Tool (RESTO), aimed at facilitating efficient renovation strategies. RESTO helps planners consider long-term environmental and economic impacts when designing renovation projects, contributing to more sustainable urban futures.
The City of Tallinn also made waves with their use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in urban planning. This innovative approach incorporates advanced digital modelling to enhance city planning and ensure projects are both sustainable and scalable.
Most Impactful Digital Act for Sustainability – AI at the Heart of Sustainability
Sustainability is a cornerstone of today’s construction industry, and the WDBE 2024 Awards celebrated digital solutions that drive the sector’s environmental agenda forward. R8 Technologies led the pack with their “Jenny, the Human-Centric AI,” a solution designed to accelerate real estate’s sustainable transformation. By utilising AI to optimise energy usage, Jenny ensures that buildings operate at peak efficiency, reducing both costs and environmental impact.
Granlund also impressed with their AI Energy Survey, which uses artificial intelligence to assess a building’s energy performance. This tool helps property managers identify inefficiencies and suggests upgrades that can significantly reduce a building’s carbon footprint.
Meanwhile, Caverion highlighted Finland’s Energy Wisest School competition, a national initiative encouraging schools to compete in energy-saving challenges. This project not only fosters a culture of sustainability among younger generations but also showcases the potential of digital tools to engage communities in environmental efforts.
Most Promising Digital Solution – Pioneering the Future
In the Most Promising Digital Solution category, Prairie View A&M University stood out with their “AI EnergiGuide,” an advanced learning platform designed to educate users about energy modelling. This tool serves as a vital resource for students and professionals alike, providing valuable insights into sustainable building practices.
Granlund impressed once again with their Modular Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) system, which simplifies the process of producing EPDs for construction projects. This modular approach makes it easier for companies to measure the environmental impacts of their materials and processes, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.
Finally, Inclus introduced their AI-supported Risk Management system for complex construction projects. By analysing vast amounts of data, this AI tool helps project managers identify and mitigate potential risks, reducing the likelihood of costly overruns or delays.
Special Award – Best Use of AI Sponsored by Finnish AI Region (FAIR EDIH)
AI continues to be a major driving force in the built environment, and a special award was given this year to Inclus for their AI-supported risk management tool. By integrating AI into project management, Inclus offers a smarter, faster way to identify risks and manage them before they spiral out of control.
This solution is particularly vital for large-scale projects where the stakes are higher, and even minor errors can result in significant financial losses.
Celebrating Innovation in a Digital Age
The WDBE 2024 Awards showcased the best of what the built environment can offer when digital technologies are at the forefront. Each of the winners not only brings forward practical solutions to real-world challenges but also embodies the spirit of innovation that the construction industry needs to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
From sustainability-focused projects to advanced AI solutions, these innovations are transforming the way we design, build, and manage our cities and buildings. As the built environment continues to evolve, it is clear that the future lies in embracing digital tools and technologies that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and safety.
By recognising these projects, the WDBE Summit reinforces its commitment to fostering innovation and encouraging collaboration across the industry. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists, whose contributions will undoubtedly help shape the future of the built environment for years to come.
