Alignment with aesthetics in design, planning, engineering (“Beautiful”)
The goals and activities of DICE align very well with the demands for aesthetics in design, planning, engineering, as proposed by the NEB. The DICE partners, however, interpret beauty not only in aesthetic terms, but as purposeful design leading to high-quality architectures with intelligent spaces that ensure human comfort and wellbeing. For this purpose, the DICE partners widely apply and combine digital design tools (e.g., parametric modeling, generative AI) with advanced design concepts and theories. Here, digital systems play a central role to ensure spatial, technological and experiential quality.
Alignment with Sustainability and Resilience (“Sustainable”)
Sustainability as a core objective of DICE is pursued by its cluster community through the investigation and application of circular construction methods and materials; through the deployment of smart technologies that help extending lifespan and efficiency of built infrastructures. While DICE has all capacities to substantially contribute to European green priorities such as the Green Deal, Renovation Wave, and energy-positive districts, its currently ongoing projects already contribute to sustainability goals on architecture, urban and regional level e.g. by the creation of smart mobility plans , the provision of comprehensive digital twins, as well as by the development of resource- and resilience oriented planning tools that aim to optimise energy use, reduce emissions, and improve public services. Additionally, other projects contribute to waste and water management.
Alignment with Community & Society (“Together”)
The value of “Togetherness” is reflected in the governance model and co-creation principle underpinning DICE. The innovation cluster embraces the quadruple helix model which interconnects academia, industry, public sector, civil society. DICE promotes an inclusive governance structure (e.g. by involving civil society in its Innovation Board) in order to detect relevant challenges for design, planning, and construction, and to ensure public participation, acceptance, and commitment. Fundamental ruling principle of DICE are cross-cluster activities for open innovation, shared testbeds, and cross-sector capacity building. Already in their previous cooperations, the DICE community has committed itself to becoming a network based on mutual learning, knowledge sharing, and diversity of perspectives.