Buildings account for around 34% of global carbon dioxide emissions and 32% of global energy demand, making them one of the world's biggest climate challenges. A new collaboration between Imperial College London, Neuron Digital, and Venturous Group aims to tackle this problem by combining artificial intelligence, real-time sensing, and digital twin technology to make buildings smarter, more efficient, and more resilient to extreme heat.

Why Are Buildings Such a Major Energy and Climate Problem?

The built environment is a surprisingly large contributor to global warming. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, buildings and construction account for around 34% of global carbon dioxide emissions and 32% of global energy demand. At the same time, rising temperatures and increasingly frequent heatwaves are putting enormous pressure on building systems and urban infrastructure worldwide. Improving how buildings perform, operate, and adapt to climate stress has become essential for meeting global sustainability goals.

The challenge is urgent and multifaceted. Buildings must become more energy-efficient while also becoming more resilient to extreme weather events. Traditional approaches to building management often rely on manual monitoring and reactive maintenance, which wastes energy and leaves systems vulnerable during crises.

What Is This New Initiative Trying to Accomplish?

The collaboration brings together three key players: Imperial's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, which brings deep research expertise in the built environment; Neuron Digital, which develops AI-enabled platforms for smart buildings and digital twins; and Venturous Group, an Asia-based urban innovation investor. The partnership will explore how data, sensing technologies, and digital systems can improve building performance, operational efficiency, and sustainability.

"This collaborative initiative creates an exciting opportunity to connect academic research with pressing building and city challenges. Intelligent buildings will play an increasingly important role in creating more sustainable, healthy, and resilient urban environments, particularly as cities adapt to rising temperatures and increasing climate pressures," said Professor Maarten van Reeuwijk.

Professor Maarten van Reeuwijk, Director of Research, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London

The initiative is grounded in a shared understanding that the scale and urgency of building-related emissions demands immediate action. Philanthropic funding has been provided by Venturous Group, with opportunities for wider partnerships expected to follow in the coming months.

How to Advance Intelligent and Sustainable Buildings

• Intelligent Building Systems: Deploy AI-powered platforms that monitor and optimize heating, cooling, lighting, and energy use in real time, reducing waste and improving occupant comfort.
• Digital Twin Technology: Create virtual replicas of physical buildings that allow researchers and operators to test new strategies, predict performance issues, and refine operations before implementing changes in the real world.
• Data-Driven Urban Resilience: Use real-time sensing and analytics to help buildings and cities adapt to extreme heat, flooding, and other climate-related stresses while maintaining operational efficiency.
• Living Lab Experimentation: Test emerging technologies and approaches in actual operational buildings, allowing researchers and industry partners to refine solutions based on real-world performance and feedback.

The collaboration will focus on several key areas, including intelligent building systems, operational energy performance, urban resilience, sustainability, cooling strategies, and data-driven approaches to managing the built environment. Central to the initiative is the concept of "living labs," which are real-world environments where researchers and industry partners can jointly test and refine emerging technologies in operational settings.

"Buildings are becoming increasingly complex, connected, and data-driven, creating new opportunities to improve sustainability, operational performance, and urban living. By combining Imperial's research expertise with Neuron Digital's technology platforms and Venturous Group's experience in urban innovation, we hope to explore new approaches to intelligent and resilient, yet commercially attractive, buildings," stated Benson Tam.

Benson Tam, CEO of Venturous Group and Board Director of Neuron Digital

Neuron Digital, a joint venture between Venturous Group and engineering firm Arup, develops AI-enabled platforms that integrate real-time sensing, analytics, and operational optimization to improve building performance and support decarbonization efforts. This technical foundation will be critical to the initiative's success, allowing the team to translate research insights into practical, scalable solutions.

What Does This Mean for Cities and Communities?

The initiative aligns with Imperial College's broader "Science for Humanity" strategy and reflects the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering's established research strengths in areas including "Engineering Net Zero and Beyond" and developing a "Resilient and Secure Built Environment". By connecting academic research with pressing real-world challenges, the collaboration aims to create new opportunities for student engagement, industry-led experimentation, and collaborative research focused on the future of intelligent and sustainable buildings.

"Our Department's challenge-led approach is designed to bring research, innovation, and industry expertise together around the major challenges shaping the future of infrastructure. This collaboration with Venturous and Neuron Digital represents an exciting opportunity to explore solutions with long-term societal benefit," explained Professor Washington Yotto Ochieng.

Professor Washington Yotto Ochieng, Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London

Further details on the initiative and potential future activities are expected to be shared in summer 2026. The work comes at a critical moment, as cities worldwide face mounting pressure to reduce emissions, improve infrastructure resilience, and adapt to a changing climate. By demonstrating how AI and digital technologies can make buildings smarter and more efficient, this collaboration could provide a blueprint for urban sustainability efforts globally.