RINNOVABILI takes center stage at Smart Building Expo: insights from Mauro Spagnolo
Interview with Mauro Spagnolo – Editor-in-Chief of RINNOVABILI
-
RINNOVABILI will play a key role at Smart Building Expo by curating one of the Innovation Squares. What are the main topics you want to highlight for the technicians and designers attending this important event?
With the Rinnovabili District, we want to shine a light on the strategic drivers of urban energy transformation: renewable sources, Energy Communities, digitalization, and emerging technologies. Our goal is to provide valuable content, opportunities for dialogue, and an integrated perspective that connects technological solutions with regulatory frameworks. We aim to engage directly with designers, technicians, and businesses. The program is designed to encourage the sharing of real-world experiences and best practices.
Mauro Spagnolo, Editor-in-Chief of RINNOVABILI, discusses the themes and objectives of the Rinnovabili District at Smart Building Expo. Focus on energy transition, Energy Communities, and open dialogue with industry professionals.
-
What is the role of a media outlet like RINNOVABILI in the evolving context of the so-called “twin transition” of the building sector?
Our role is certainly twofold. On one hand, we aim to provide clear and timely information about innovation, regulations, and opportunities in the fields of energy and digital transition. On the other, we strive to foster dialogue among the key players in this transformation, creating concrete opportunities for exchange and collaboration between companies, institutions, and professionals. In today’s rapidly changing environment, we believe that technical, independent, and accessible information is a crucial tool for guiding more informed decisions.
-
From your point of view, how is the energy topic perceived in the construction sector? And what obstacles still need to be overcome to meet the targets set by EPBD IV and turn them into an opportunity rather than a problem?
The energy issue is increasingly present in the construction sector, but it is often seen more as a regulatory constraint than as a winning transformation strategy. Awareness is growing, but it doesn’t always translate into structural, long-term decisions. The new EPBD IV calls for a significant step forward—perhaps even a cultural shift—but to truly seize its opportunities, we need clear rules, defined timelines, easy-to-implement tools, and a stable, coherent incentive system. The real challenge will be to communicate the value of this transformation as an opportunity for renovation, innovation, and competitiveness, rather than just a compliance obligation.