METABUILDING LABS - MBLABS
METABUILDING LABS - MBLABS
The purpose of MBLabs is to unleash the innovation potential of the SMEs of the Construction sector by lowering the entry barriers to test innovative solutions in a network of testing facilities in RTOs and Living Labs in order to reduce energy consumption in buildings. BLL took part as a Real Pilot Test building and show place for the players in the construction industry.
In this projects 8 new Building Envelope Technologies have been pilot tested in various test beds around Europe including Başakşehir Living Lab. These technologies have been shading, window, insulation, wall and construction materials related.
For more detail please visit https://www.metabuilding-labs.eu/
For benefiting from or providing benefits to the building ecosystem you may register to the Metabuilding Platform https://www.metabuilding.com/
1. Main activities of Başakşehir Living Lab
The two clearly documented technology providers for the Başakşehir pilot were ONYX Solar and EDILIANS. Their innovative building-envelope products were selected for testing at the Başakşehir Innovation and Technology Centre.
Technologies pilot-tested or selected for testing in Başakşehir Living Lab
1. ONYX Solar — Photovoltaic glass
Pilot technology documented
- Photovoltaic cells integrated into double-glazed glass units.
- Generates electricity from sunlight while serving as a building-glazing element.
- Intended to assess the performance of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
Başakşehir Living Lab reported receiving ONYX photovoltaic double-glazed units in September 2024, with pilot testing planned to follow.
2. EDILIANS — Thin photovoltaic shading elements
Selected for pilot testing
- Thin photovoltaic elements integrated into a building shading or overhang solution.
- Intended to combine solar shading with electricity generation.
- Part of the project's broader investigation into energy-producing building-envelope systems.
EDILIANS technologies were selected for demonstration and that the pilot building's façade areas were inspected for their installation and accessibility.
3. Monitoring system installed at Başakşehir Living Lab
In March 2025, Başakşehir Living Lab announced that a dedicated monitoring system had been installed to evaluate the prototype products supplied by ONYX and EDILIANS.
The system included:
- Light sensors
- Temperature and humidity sensors
- Solar irradiance sensors
- Microcontroller units
- LoRa network gateway devices
The purpose was to collect and compare data before and after installation, allowing the teams to assess the technologies' performance.
4. Başakşehir Living Lab is one of the Founding Members of Metabuilding Association
METABUILDING Association (METABUILDING ASBL)
The METABUILDING Association, legally identified as Metabuilding ASBL, is a Brussels-based non-profit association established through the European METABUILDING and METABUILDING LABS projects. It brings together construction-sector clusters, research and technology organisations, innovation hubs and companies to accelerate innovation across Europe's built environment and uses the official platform: metabuilding.com
Why was the Association established?
The Association was developed to ensure that the collaboration and innovation services created by the EU-funded projects could continue beyond the projects themselves.
Its central purpose is to connect companies, testing facilities, research organisations and innovation networks, making it easier for construction-sector SMEs to develop, test and commercialise new solutions. It also serves as the Single Entry Point (SEP) for the METABUILDING LABS Open Innovation Test Bed.
Main activities and services
European innovation network
Connects construction clusters, SMEs, research organisations, technology providers and other built-environment stakeholders across borders.
Testing and demonstration services
Helps companies identify suitable laboratories, test facilities and pilot buildings to evaluate new construction products and technologies.
Digital innovation platform
The METABUILDING platform helps users discover innovation services, identify partners, showcase technologies and find testing and certification support.
Innovation brokerage and business support
Helps SMEs navigate testing services, identify relevant expertise and connect with organisations that can support product development and commercialisation.
These functions are described in the European Commission's METABUILDING LABS final-period reporting page.
How the Association relates to the two EU projects
METABUILDING (2020–2023)
Built the wider innovation ecosystem connecting construction SMEs with adjacent sectors, including ICT, additive manufacturing, nature-based solutions and recycling.
METABUILDING LABS (2021–2026)
Developed the Open Innovation Test Bed, providing access to testing infrastructure, pilot buildings, Living Labs and specialist services for innovative building-envelope technologies.
METABUILDING Association
Established as the organisational structure intended to operate the Single Entry Point and sustain the wider innovation ecosystem beyond the funded projects.
The Association is therefore not simply another research project. It is intended to provide a continuing organisational and service framework for the ecosystem created by the projects. The European Commission's project reporting confirms that the Association was founded and that its Single Entry Point role was developed.
Relevance for Başakşehir Living Lab
Başakşehir Living Lab has been one of the Founding Members of the Association. For Başakşehir Living Lab, engagement with the Association can provide opportunities to:
- Maintain links with European construction and sustainable-building innovation networks.
- Connect Turkish SMEs and technology developers with European testing facilities and potential business partners.
- Explore future pilot projects involving energy-efficient buildings, innovative façades, circular construction and secondary materials.
- Exchange Living Lab methodologies for stakeholder engagement and societal acceptance.
- Identify opportunities for participation in future European collaborative projects.