InnoRenew CoE

Shortly after Institute’s founding in 2017, the process of design with co-creation of a research complex and its program began. Since completion in 2021 it serves as a research object itself where the institute’s researchers can deploy, test, and demonstrate new solutions, technologies, and systems to assess building materials, construction systems, occupant wellbeing, and social engagement. The methodology of the design and concept of the InnoRenew CoE was based on two major approaches of co-creation. The first was based on the organization’s multidisciplinary structure. This reached far beyond regular planning that primarily involves engineers. We organized interior workshops with researchers to incorporate the REED paradigm into the design.The second was based on workshops with our industrial partners, students, and other professionals from the wood sector and beyond. Within the workshops and “Entrepreneurs breakfast” that we organized with our industrial partners from our Living Lab we were able to discuss the needs of the wood industry and their possibility of development. Through a teambuilding event with the Municipality of Izola, National Forest Agency and with Managers’ association of Slovenia we developed our circularity plan. Together we planted 3000 oak trees in the local municipality to offset its environmental impact.