Sustainable and Regenerative Construction: ICEA and natureplus in Matera for the “Building the Future” Conference

How can we create buildings that are increasingly sustainable, healthy and resilient to climate change? What role can innovative materials and independent certification play in the transition towards construction with a lower environmental impact?

These are among the key topics to be addressed at “Building the Future: Sustainable and Regenerative Construction – Materials, Healthy Indoor Environments and New European Regulations”, a conference organised by ICEA and natureplus, taking place on Friday, 13 November 2026, from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm, in Room B003 at the University Campus of Matera, Via Lanera 20.

The event will take place on the occasion of the natureplus Board meeting, hosted in the historic city of Matera, and will provide an opportunity for dialogue among institutions, academia, professionals and businesses on the future development of the construction sector.

The event is organised in collaboration with the Order of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators of the Province of Matera and the Order of Engineers of the Province of Matera.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits will be awarded to registered members of the Orders of Architects and Engineers.

Towards a New Paradigm in Construction

The construction sector accounts for approximately 40% of energy consumption and more than one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union. After years of focusing primarily on energy efficiency during the operational phase, attention is progressively shifting towards the entire life cycle of buildings, taking into account the environmental impact of materials, embodied carbon, resource circularity and indoor environmental quality.

From the selection of raw materials to the end-of-life management of construction materials, reducing emissions, promoting resource circularity and ensuring healthy indoor environments are becoming essential elements of a construction sector capable of combining environmental sustainability, human well-being and technical performance.

This transformation is also being driven by the evolving European regulatory framework. The new Construction Products Regulation (EU) 2024/3110, the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU) 2024/1275, and European provisions on sustainability and environmental information transparency are progressively redefining requirements and responsibilities for manufacturers, designers and clients.

In this context, third-party certification plays a strategic role, providing independent verification of the environmental characteristics and performance of construction products, promoting market transparency and helping to prevent greenwashing.

Particular attention will be given to the natureplus approach, an international Type I ecolabel compliant with EN ISO 14024, which integrates criteria relating to health, environmental resource conservation, climate protection and the functional performance of construction materials.

Conference Programme

The conference will open with an introduction by Dr. Paolo Lumaca, President of ICEA, followed by institutional greetings from Prof. Arch. Antonella Guida, University of Basilicata; Dr. Rolf Buschmann, President of natureplus e.V.; Eng. Teresa Bengiovanni, President of the Order of Engineers of the Province of Matera; and Arch. Pantaleo De Finis, President of the Order of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators of the Province of Matera.

The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Mariano Serratore, Technical Director of ICEA, with contributions from M.A. Tilmann Kromolisch, Director of natureplus e.V.; Prof. Graziella Bernardo, Associate professor of Technical Architecture ; and Arch. Antonello Capodiferro, Secretary of the Council of the Order of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators of Matera.

The discussions will focus on the contribution of the construction sector to climate change mitigation and adaptation, the implementation of the new European regulatory framework, life cycle assessment and the environmental impact of construction materials, indoor air quality, and the role of third-party certification, the natureplus label and the Digital Product Passport.

Event Information

Date: Friday, 13 November 2026
Time: 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm (CET)
Venue: Room B003 – Ground Floor, Building B
Location: University Campus of Matera, Via Lanera 20 – Matera, Italy

View the full conference programme