Designing an extended reality platform to optimise operation and maintenance for dynamic building envelopes

Authors

Downloads

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47982/jfde.2026.337

Published

2026-07-12

How to Cite

Designing an extended reality platform to optimise operation and maintenance for dynamic building envelopes. (2026). Journal of Facade Design and Engineering, 14(1), 17-38. https://doi.org/10.47982/jfde.2026.337
Submitted: Apr 28, 2025
Accepted: Apr 13, 2026
Published: Jul 12, 2026

Keywords:

Extended Reality, XR, Dynamic Building Envelopes, Maintenance Optimisation, Facility Management, User-Centred Design, Smart Buildings

Abstract

This paper presents the design phase of an Extended Reality (XR)-based platform aimed at optimising operation and maintenance for dynamic building envelopes. The proposed solution addresses the growing need for advanced facility management tools that support energy performance and operational efficiency throughout the building lifecycle. The platform integrates heterogeneous data sources, including Building Information Modelling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and Digital Product Passports (DPPs), to enable real-time fault detection, remote technical assistance, and enhanced communication between key actors. Built on user story methodologies, the platform uses cloud architecture and consumer smart devices to deliver scalable, cost-effective maintenance workflows with XR technology. In addition, Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities are integrated to support historical data analysis and automated reporting generation. Preliminary platform validations in real-world environments have demonstrated encouraging results in terms of increased building intelligence, maintenance operation efficiency, and user satisfaction.

References

Attia, S., Bilir, S., Safy, T., Struck, C., Loonen, R., & Goia, F. (2018). Current trends and future challenges in the performance assessment of adaptive façade systems. Energy and Buildings, 179, 165–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2018.09.017 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2018.09.017

Attia, S., Lioure, R., & Declaude, Q. (2020). Future trends and main concepts of adaptive façade systems. Energy Science & Engineering, 8(9), 3255–3272. https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.725 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.725

Baduge, S. K., Thilakarathna, S., Perera, J. S., Arashpour, M., Sharafi, P., Teodosio, B., Shringi, A., & Mendis, P. (2022). Artificial intelligence and smart vision for building and construction 4.0: Machine and deep learning methods and applications. Automation in Construction, 141, 104440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2022.104440 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2022.104440

Bressan, N. M., Scarpa, M., & Peron, F. (2024). Case studies of eXtended reality combined with Building Information Modeling: A literature review. Journal of Building Engineering, 84, 108575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.108575 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.108575

Dzulkifli, N., Sarbini, N. N., Ibrahim, I. S., Abidin, N. I., Yahaya, F. M., & Azizan, N. Z. N. (2021). Review on maintenance issues toward building maintenance management best practices. Journal of Building Engineering, 44, 102985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102985 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102985

Errandonea, I., Beltrán, S., & Arrizabalaga, S. (2020). Digital twin for maintenance: A literature review. Computers in Industry, 123, 103316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2020.103316 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2020.103316

European Commission. (2022). Smart readiness indicator. Retrieved September 11, 2024, from https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/smart-readiness-indicator_en

European Parliament. (2024a). Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on the energy performance of buildings (recast).

European Parliament. (2024b). Regulation (EU) 2024/1781. EUR-Lex. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1781/oj/eng

Faro Technology. (2025). HoloBuilder: Construction progress management. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://www.holobuilder.com/

Gamma AR. (2024). Augmented reality solution for building construction. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://gamma-ar.com/

Giovanardi, M., Baietta, A., Belletti, F., Magnani, S., Casadei, O., & Pracucci, A. (2024). Exploiting the value of active and multifunctional façade technology through the IoT and AI. Applied Sciences, 14(3), 1145. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14031145 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app14031145

Imvizar. (2025). Enhanced audience engagement. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://imvizar.com/

Inception. (2020). Inception: A start-up company. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://www.inceptionspinoff.com/

International Organization for Standardization. (2024a). ISO 16739-1:2024. https://www.iso.org/standard/84123.html

International Organization for Standardization. (2024b). ISO/IEC 30141:2024. https://www.iso.org/standard/88800.html

Mahale, Y., Kolhar, S., & More, A. S. (2025). A comprehensive review on artificial intelligence driven predictive maintenance in vehicles: Technologies, challenges and future research directions. Discover Applied Sciences, 7(4), 243. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-06681-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-06681-3

Milardi, M. (2023). Adaptive building technologies for building envelopes under climate change conditions. In E. Arbizzani, E. Cangelli, C. Clemente, F. Cumo, F. Giofrè, A. M. Giovenale, M. Palme, & S. Paris (Eds.), Technological imagination in the green and digital transition (pp. 695–702). Springer International Publishing. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-29515-7_62

Oulefki, A., Kheddar, H., Amira, A., Kurugollu, F., Himeur, Y., & Bounceur, A. (2025). Innovative AI strategies for enhancing smart building operations through digital twins: A survey. Energy and Buildings, 335, 115567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.115567 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.115567

Palmarini, R., Erkoyuncu, J. A., Roy, R., & Torabmostaedi, H. (2018). A systematic review of augmented reality applications in maintenance. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, 49, 215–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcim.2017.06.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcim.2017.06.002

Reiners, D., Davahli, M. R., Karwowski, W., & Cruz-Neira, C. (2021). The combination of artificial intelligence and extended reality: A systematic review. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 2, Article 721933. https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2021.721933 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2021.721933

Romano, R., Aelenei, L., Aelenei, D., & Mazzucchelli, E. S. (2018). What is an adaptive façade? Analysis of recent terms and definitions from an international perspective. Journal of Façade Design and Engineering, 6(3), 65–76. https://doi.org/10.7480/jfde.2018.3.2478

Sadri, H. (2025). AI-driven integration of digital twins and blockchain for smart building management systems: A multi-stage empirical study. Journal of Building Engineering, 105, 112439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.112439 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.112439

Unity. (2024). Architecture, engineering, construction, and operations: Unlock siloed data, ease operational complexities and improve stakeholder collaboration to make more informed decisions. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://unity.com/solutions/architecture-engineering-construction

XYZ Reality. (2023). What is engineering grade augmented reality? Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://www.xyzreality.com/resources/what-is-engineering-grade-augmented-reality

YORD. (2024). How AI is shaping the future of extended reality (XR). Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://yordstudio.com/how-ai-is-shaping-the-future-of-extended-reality-xr/