Pinkafeld, 14 January 2025: ‘Building technology is facing a paradigm shift,’ explains Christian Heschl, head of the Building Technology Research Center at Forschung Burgenland and head of the Master's degree programme in Building Technology and Facility Management at the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences. ‘Traditionally, the increasing integration of renewable energies has led to greater system complexity and therefore higher engineering costs. Our research breaks this established pattern: by using innovative AI technologies, we can systematically automate the planning, construction and operating processes. This allows us to significantly reduce manual engineering work and create the basis for an economically viable realisation of climate targets in the building sector.’
Artificial intelligence is revolutionising building technology
‘Artificial intelligence optimises processes, increases efficiency and delivers more precise results - a decisive advantage for innovative solutions in building technology,’ says Marcus Keding, Managing Director of Forschung Burgenland. ‘Our research projects are already successfully utilising AI technologies in the development of intelligent and future-oriented applications.’
This can be seen, for example, in the recently approved mate4buildings infrastructure project. AI is creating a state-of-the-art real-world laboratory in which these pioneering technologies can be developed and tested under real operating conditions. The AI agents combine state-of-the-art artificial intelligence methods with engineering tools.
The parallel AI-agents4buildings project is developing the necessary algorithms to optimise the entire life cycle of buildings - from planning to construction and operation. ‘Our research shows that AI-supported building control systems alone can enable CO2 savings of up to 85 per cent,’ emphasises Heschl, project developer of the research initiative. ‘By automating complex engineering processes, we are making this potential economically viable for the first time and thus utilising it across the board.’
Strong partnerships with industry
‘With our practical use cases and in-depth research, we are helping companies to fully exploit the opportunities offered by digitalisation and artificial intelligence. Through the targeted use of AI, we create the basis for sustainable and intelligent building solutions that advance the economy and society in equal measure,’ says Marcus Keding, emphasising the practical orientation of the research projects in Pinkafeld.
‘Our AI solutions are developed with a view to practical applicability right from the start,’ says Christian Heschl, adding that the close collaboration with leading building technology companies guarantees that the innovations actually find their way into practice.
The combination of highly qualified training, innovative research and strong networking with industry makes the Pinkafeld campus a centre of excellence for the digital transformation of building technology. ‘Not only technological innovations are created here, but also the skilled workers who put these technologies into practice and thus make a significant contribution to achieving our climate targets,’ the two agree.
Practical training meets cutting-edge research
The building technology degree programmes at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences benefit directly from the research activities. ‘Our students work at the interface between classic building technology and artificial intelligence. They not only learn about the current state of the art, but also develop innovative solutions for the challenges of the energy transition during their studies,’ explains the programme director. The Master's degree programme in Building Technology and Facility Management at the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences was recently adapted and expanded to include these fields of research in order to be modern and pioneering in teaching as well.
The ultra-modern infrastructure at the Pinkafeld campus, which includes state-of-the-art laboratories and the new AI real laboratory, creates the ideal conditions for a future-orientated education. In interdisciplinary projects, students work on real-life issues during their studies and develop practical solutions for industry.
More information and the opportunity to register at www.hochschule-burgenland.at
More information on the research projects at www.forschung.hochschule-burgenland.at
Contact:
Prof.(FH) DI(FH) Dr. Christian Heschl
Christian.heschl(at)hochschule-burgenland.at │+43 5 7705-4121
Further information:
Marlene Hamedl BA │ Marketing & Communication │ Forschung Burgenland GmbH │ Tel: 0664-88134518 │ Email: marlene.hamedl(at)hochschule-burgenland.at
