As part of the ARISE Article series, the project addresses in this article the values of skills in the design and construction of qualified workers in society and as individuals. It also delves into how skilled workers can contribute to economic growth and competitiveness in different sectors.

This article delves into the multifaceted realm of skills development in Europe's construction and building sector, exploring the critical role it plays in shaping the industry's future. How is Europe investing in education, training, and professional development to create a workforce equipped to tackle the upcoming challenges, such as the decarbonisation of the building stock?

Sustainability can often be an afterthought and applied to the finished design without consideration of the impact the design will have in assembly and during life-cycle assessment. Most stakeholders vanish after handover, and this can translate into sustainability being forgotten or ignored. As well as these concerns, methods are also needed to prevent greenwashing and bring performance into the design frame.

This article explores preliminary findings on what happens to homes when they become smarter, considering how going digital affects the ways in which homes are imagined, planned, designed, and experienced on an everyday basis, provoking decision-makers to think widely about the contexts and consequences of their actions when implementing smart technologies to improve building performance.