HOPE PROJECT / Newsletter 01

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Successful completion of the first phase

The HOPE Project team worked hard on every single task, and finally, we finishe our first Intellectual Output - Research Knowledge Hub (RKH).

This output (IO1) will build and establish a "research-knowledge hub" (RKH) in the form of an electronic library. The RKH will include extensive items of applied research on timber building design principles, circular economy, sustainable development, and material availability in several European areas.

The RKH will be an innovative tool for bibliographic search, an electronic library in all of the partners' languages, into which the project partners will upload complete construction methods (assembly and disassembly), studies, reports, practical guides, and case studies, all of which are expected to aid in finding all of the necessary resources under one umbrella.

The RKH's goal is to be a beneficial instrument in the hands of both researchers and professionals who are involved in the entire process of delivering a modular unit to individuals in need (from design to construction). Engineers (architects, structural engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, etc.) and technicians/builders/foremen are the primary users of this product (the ones who will actually construct every modular project). The RKH will be a Web application that will be available to all interested parties for free and will allow people to search for all linked materials using a variety of parameters such as year of publication of the source, source language, field of interest, kind of source, author, and so on.

The various sources' search parameters can be used to get the best results for locating the most recent trends and case studies for modular settlement units. Each report/source that is posted to the RKH will include a short synopsis as well as keywords to help with comprehension and utilization.

Facing new tasks and activities, the HOPE Project team is eagerly awaiting our next meeting.

Our next gathering will take place in early June in Letterfrack, Ireland. This time the Irish partners Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and Irish Wood and Interiors Network (IWIN) will be the hosts.

We will make an overview of completed and upcoming tasks and take advantage of the opportunity for partner socializing.

Plantd CARBON NEGATIVE MATERIALS 

Plantd believes that wood does not have to originate from trees and that securing a route ahead for civilization requires carbon-negative materials to reverse the current amount of atmospheric carbon and sustain life on our planet as we know it.

Beginning with the homebuilding sector, they are spearheading a transition to materials manufactured from renewable grass and constructing the factory of the future to ensure that atmospheric carbon gathered in the field is stored inside the walls and floors of new houses.

Plantd is the result of 20 years of research on climate change solutions. They are a group of entrepreneurs and engineers who think that creating a prosperous future begins with redesigning the present. The discovery of Plantd materials has reignited their optimism and fortified commitment.

Learn more: https://www.plantdmaterials.com/

Innovation days: 07-09 February, 2023 Kozani Greece

With the aim of highlighting the innovative business ecosystem of the Region of Western Macedonia and the utilisation of research, innovative results of projects and actions by companies, researchers, inventors, universities and research centres, the Region of Western Macedonia, the Regional Development Fund of Western Macedonia, the Regional Research Council and Innovation and the RIS STRUCTURE of Western Macedonia, organised the 1st "Innovation Exhibition & Conference", February 7 to 9, 2023.

Amongst the topics of energy, digital era, smart cultivation and circular economy, two partners of the European project HOPE, Chliapas S.A. and the Institute of Wood, Furniture & Wooden Packaging (IWFWP) participated with a stand at the exhibition hall “Kila Kozani”.

The outputs of the project were presented and several companies as well as the prefecture of Western Macedonia Greece showed an interest in adopting the ideas of this European project.

The concept of using natural locally sourced materials towards building modular temporary accommodation units for people in need attracted the interest of the local authorities, especially in a region that earthquakes often hit that area.

Mr Michail Chliapas CEO of the Chliapas S.A. company, and professor George Ntalos Head of  the Institute of Wood Furniture & Wooden Packaging, University of Thessaly were present and networked with companies and public bodies to bring together all the stakeholders for adopting a viable solution for the accommodation of people in need.