Project Overview

Opendetail is a research project funded by the Rambøll Foundation aiming to tackle significant challenges in the AEC industry. This project is a collaboration between Henning Larsen, KEA, and Chevrant.

The construction industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for around 38% of total energy-related CO₂ emissions worldwide. The production of construction materials like cement, steel, and aluminum is highly energy-intensive, while the transportation, on-site energy use, and waste generated during construction projects also contribute significantly to emissions. Studies have shown that building and operating buildings is responsible for nearly 30% of global annual greenhouse gas emissions. As governments and industries work to reduce carbon footprints, the construction sector is increasingly targeted for emissions reductions through innovations in building materials, renewable energy integration, and more efficient construction processes.

The use of biogenic and low-carbon construction materials is increasingly recognized as crucial for reducing the environmental impact of the building sector. Biogenic materials like timber, bamboo, and straw bale use organic, renewable feedstocks that sequester carbon dioxide as they grow. In contrast, traditional construction materials like cement, steel, and aluminum have substantial embodied carbon from their energy-intensive manufacturing processes. Transitioning to bio-based and low-emission alternatives can dramatically lower the carbon footprint of new construction projects.

However, this shift requires significant policy support and industry-wide climate action. Mandatory emissions reductions targets, carbon pricing mechanisms, and incentives for sustainable building practices are necessary to drive widespread adoption of innovative low-carbon materials and technologies across the construction supply chain. As the built environment continues to grow globally, implementing comprehensive climate policies for the construction sector will be essential for meeting international emissions reduction goals.

Technology Stack

The front-end of this SaaS application is built using the NextJS framework, which leverages the power of React to deliver a fast and responsive user experience. The application utilizes React Query, a powerful library that enables efficient and optimized data fetching from the database, ensuring smooth and seamless interaction with the underlying data sources.

To manage authentication and authorization, the application has implemented a robust middleware layer. This middleware integrates with Supabase, a comprehensive backend-as-a-service solution, to handle user authentication and authorization. Additionally, Supabase's PostgreSQL database and storage services are utilized throughout the project, providing a scalable and reliable data infrastructure to support the SaaS application's functionality. This full-featured SaaS app is planned to launch in 2024.

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