THE ADDED VALUE OF EXPERT TECHNICAL ADVICE DURING THEDESIGN PROCESS

The Integrated Project SARA in the 6th Framework Programme of the EuropeanCommission (EC) aimed to support the construction of seven sustainable, cost effective,high energy performed public-access eco-buildings which are immediately replicable atlarge scale in many locations. Therefore, seven demonstration buildings in six EU MemberStates (A, E, F, I, SI, UK) and one new Independent State (UZ) were selected.An Expert Technical Advice Service (ETAS) provided horizontal knowledge transferbetween eco-buildings in order to obtain efficient integration. Other specialised teams ofparticipants were working in parallel on specific Research, Technology Development andDemonstration (RTD) issues related to integration of Building Management System (BMS),monitoring, internet based dissemination, socio-economic studies and training, to exploitsynergies of all aspects of the project. The key aspects of the project are public-accessbuildings, innovative yet cost effective and replicable results, consideration of end usersand an interdisciplinary team working on various RTD activities.