At the 2025 Building Innovation Conference, hosted by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) from May 19-21, Armstrong World Industries (AWI) experts Michael Lorenz and Nathan Baxter joined 9 Foundations health scientist Maya Bliss to discuss the solutions—both physical and digital—that, together, can make buildings more resilient, sustainable and optimized for the well-being of occupants.
Challenges facing the built environment have become increasingly extreme during the last quarter-century. Meanwhile, ESG and sustainability goals have gained massive momentum and remain a top priority for new construction, retrofits and adaptive reuse projects.
As we embark toward 2050, the building industry is reckoning with significant threats and demand for a sustainable, resilient and healthy built environment. In order to meet these challenges, we must seek collaborative solutions, and this panel covered technologies that are already contributing to the built environment of tomorrow, today. As part of the Shaping the Future with Technology and Resilience track, the panelists covered the technological systems and solutions that can empower building owners, occupants and communities and shape the future of the industry.
Read on a recap below of the presentation, Sights on 2050: How Digital and Physical Technologies are Shaping the Future of the Built Environment.
How Product Technology Contributes to Resilient and Sustainable Buildings
Lorenz, Senior Director of Technology at AWI, educated attendees on the importance of supporting the ‘whole building’: the interdependencies within the built environment that must be considered to achieve building resilience, sustainability and occupant health goals.
“We are up against some significant shifts in the building industry, including the clean energy transition; construction and labor shortages; and the demand for sustainable, healthy spaces,” said Lorenz. “In response, we’ve seen the industry innovate in new and exciting ways with ‘whole building’ solutions for energy savings, sustainable materials and construction efficiency on the market now.”
He also discussed the latest advancements in building technology and material science—including near-term and long-term trends—and how they come together to drive decarbonization, energy savings and future innovations in design and construction. These material technologies include energy-saving phase change material and low-embodied carbon biochar, as well as modular grid systems that streamline ceiling installation and integration for enhanced indoor environmental quality (IEQ).
Innovating the Design and Construction Process with Digital Technology
As the conversation shifted away from physical technology and material science, Baxter, Director of Design and Digital Services at AWI, took the podium to share how digital technology and automation are revolutionizing design and construction efficiencies, collaboration and project outcomes for all stakeholders in the construction value chain.
During his presentation, Baxter, who leads AWI’s PROJECTWORKS design and pre-construction digital service, illustrated key digital innovations, including 3D Revit models, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and “digital twins,” which make it possible for architects, engineers and construction professionals to visualize and address potential issues with projects virtually.
“These technologies facilitate more efficient design processes, reduce project timelines, enhance sustainability efforts and support the construction of resilient buildings as the built environment faces significant threats,” said Baxter.
How to Use Air Quality Data to Make Your Building Healthier—and More Energy Efficient
Innovations in physical and digital technologies have come together in the built environment to benefit occupants and prioritize health and well-being. Maya Bliss, Health Scientist at 9 Foundations, spoke about IEQ as an essential measure of occupant experience in the modern built environment.
Bliss shared how low cost, real-time indoor air quality (RT IAQ) sensors are impacting the green and healthy building movements. Using 9 Foundations’ H.E.A.A.L.™, these sensors collect and organize data that can be transformed into actionable insights about the health of a building and its occupants.
“These insights empower building owners and operators to manage infectious disease risk and improve the energy efficiency and overall resilience of a building,” said Bliss. “With a straightforward installation process and benefits that boost occupant health, productivity and business value, RT IAQ sensors are a no-brainer for occupant well-being.”
Key Takeaways
This panel offered a comprehensive overview of how digital and physical building technologies are working together to advance the built environment.
Attendees gained valuable insights into the latest innovations, best practices and real-world applications of these technologies as they explored the intersection of digitalization and physical building practices.
Ultimately, the session aimed to inspire and equip industry professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to create more resilient, sustainable and healthy buildings.