ACI and Construmat Join Forces to Promote Building Services Engineering in Construction

The Asociación de Consultores de Instalaciones (ACI) and Construmat have formed a strategic alliance to raise awareness and increase the significance of building services engineering within the construction sector. As part of this collaboration, the first-ever Facility Building Services Engineering Summit will take place on May 21 at the Gran Via venue of Fira de Barcelona, an event organized by ACI within the framework of Construmat.

This initiative follows the success of the 2nd National Congress on Facility Building Services Engineering, held last July 2 in Barcelona. With this new event, ACI aims to expand the reach of building services engineering, opening it up to a broader audience within the construction ecosystem. Until now, such events have primarily targeted engineering firms, but this partnership with Construmat will help position the discipline in a more cross-sectoral and influential context.

Building services engineering is a fundamental pillar of the construction and building sector, ensuring the efficient, safe, and sustainable operation of buildings. From electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems to advanced solutions in telecommunications, energy efficiency, and automation, these services enhance comfort and livability while optimizing resource consumption and minimizing environmental impact. In a time when sustainability and innovation are paramount, the design and integration of smart building services are critical for achieving resilient, efficient, and future-ready buildings.

A Program Focused on Sustainability

The Summit will feature over 20 industry experts from leading firms such as gp9consulting, BIS, JG Ingenieros, WATTEGA – ARCbcn & ERF, among others, who will share insights and success stories. The sessions will address key challenges and innovations in building services engineering, focusing on: Energy efficiency, Sustainability and Application of new technologies

Discussions will cover the impact of R&D on MEP system design, exploring cutting-edge solutions to optimize infrastructure. A groundbreaking social housing project based on community air climate control will also be presented, highlighting its impact on comfort and quality of life.

Another key topic will be the strategy for designing and constructing net-zero buildings, aligned with the European Green Deal, focusing on reducing energy demand, increasing system efficiency, and integrating renewable energy sources.

The innovation in laboratory buildings will also take center stage, featuring a roundtable discussion on sustainability, operation, and maintenance in these specialized facilities. Finally, collaborative management in complex projects will be analyzed, demonstrating how multidisciplinary teamwork can optimize time, resources, and outcomes in building services engineering.

Facility Building Services Engineering Summit Agenda

• 10:10 – 10:55 | R&D Applied to MEP

• 11:10 – 11:55 | Innovative Social Housing Project with Community Air Climate Control

• 12:10 – 12:55 | Designing and Constructing Net-Zero Buildings: The Role of Building Services

• 13:10 – 13:55 | Trends and Opportunities in Laboratory Buildings: A Smart and Sustainable Investment in Research

• 15:10 – 16:00 | Managing Complex Projects with a Collaborative Model

Building Services Engineering: A Key Investment

“Building services engineering should not be seen as an expense but as a strategic investment in safety, efficiency, and sustainability. In fact, up to 40% of a project’s total budget is allocated to building services, highlighting their importance—not only in economic terms but also in their direct impact on functionality and user well-being. Without the early integration of efficient services during the initial design phases, the buildings of the future will struggle to meet the sustainability standards required by the industry,” says Oriol Perna, President of ACI.

The tertiary sector accounts for approximately 20% of building energy consumption, with many facilities still relying on outdated and inefficient installations. “In response to this challenge, engineering and innovation are essential to transform these buildings into energy-efficient, digitalized, and decarbonized assets,” emphasizes Enric Ros, Vice President of ACI.

Meanwhile, Roger Bou, Director of Construmat 2025, highlights the importance of this event within the fair: “Building services engineering is the invisible backbone of any modern building. With this Summit, we want to give it the recognition it deserves within the construction and real estate development sectors. Moreover, our partnership with ACI strengthens our commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in a field that is *crucial to the efficiency and comfort of the spaces we live and work in.”

Free Registration Open to Professionals

The event is open to all professionals interested in discovering the latest trends and solutions in building services engineering. Registration is free and can be completed via the official website:

🔗 Register here

📍 Barcelona, March 26, 2025

Inés Cegarra
📞 Tel: +34 93 175 15 15
✉ Email: comunicacio@acicat.org
🌍 Website: www.acicat.org