Projects

Short description: The research project "ANAVATHMEZO", addresses the challenge of energy interventions on historic buildings. The aim of the project is to develop optimal energy retrofit techniques that transform the existing historic buildings into high-energy efficiency ones. The project also includes the energy upgrading of two iconic buildings in the eligible area, the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Cyprus and the Loggia, the Town Hall of Heraklion, Crete. In this way, the project serves the European and national objectives for the transition into a low-carbon green economy.

Programme Framework: Interreg V-A Greece-Cyprus Cooperation Program 2014-2020, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Budget - Funding: 3,113,298 (total-budget), 342,806 Euro (UCY sub-budget)

Project Duration: 06.2021 – 11.2023

Partners: University of Cyprus, Cyprus (Coordinator); Department of Electromechanical Services, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Work, Cyprus; Public Works Department, Ministry οf Transport, Communications and Works, Cyprus; Presidential Palace and Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus, Cyprus; Hellenic Mediterranean University, Greece; Municipality of Heraklion, Greece.

Project Website: https://anavathmezo.eu/en/

Short description: The main objective of the project is the energy upgrading of school buildings of reduced the energy consumption and increased the thermal comfort and indoor air quality in school halls. The main actions of the project are the energy upgrading of 2 school blocks and their conversion to the intelligent school buildings of almost zero energy consumption that provide high-quality sense of comfort, the enhancement of sustainable mobility by installing power charging stations for electric vehicles and bicycles, the participatory training of building users in energy management and Renewable Energy Sourced technologies, the creation of printout documents and electronic media for the promotion of the project, and public awareness campaigns.

Programme Framework: Interreg V-A, European Territorial Co-operation European Commission, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Budget - Funding: 1,876,839 Euro (total-budget), 336,540 Euro (UCY sub-budget)

Project Duration: 06.2021 – 11.2023

Partners: Cyprus Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth, Cyprus (Programme Coordinator); University of Cyprus, Cyprus; Regional Development Fund of Crete, Greece, Municipality of Heraklion, Greece.

Short description: The program aims to address the challenge of a novel and innovative concept of public buildings, i.e. the creation of Positive Energy Intelligent Buildings. The outputs of the project include pilot buildings of high energy efficiency, architectural integration of renewable energy sources and charging stations that promote sustainable mobility. Moreover, the outcomes include the creation of an electronic platform for the building’s energy performance monitoring and for remote real-time controlling. Finally, the project will allow the creation of manuals on methods and good practices for future energy upgrades of public buildings within the Mediterranean region, as well as in Europe. The new form of public building aims to develop awareness on sustainability, leading to economic, environmental and social benefits.

Programme Framework: Interreg V-A, European Territorial Co-operation European Commission, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Budget - Funding: 1,909,640 Euro (total-budget), 340,000 Euro (UCY sub-budget)

Project Duration: 09.2018-06.2023

Partners: Public Works Department, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, Cyprus (coordinator); Department of Electromechanical Services, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Work, Cyprus; University of Cyprus, Cyprus; Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy; Chios Municipality, Greece; University of the Aegean, Greece.

Project Website: https://www.autonomo-project.eu/

Short description: The construction sector faces increasing challenges and obligations of handling and reducing the use of raw materials and increasing industrial by-products. In addition, measures are being taken to reduce CO2 emissions and the consumption of natural resources in the cement and concrete sectors. Furthermore, every year, the cement industry produces significant amounts of industrial by-products, such as Cement Kiln Dust (CKD), posing a crucial environmental burden. The project aims to address the technological challenges above by developing a new green block consisting of a sustainable concrete mixture as a product of an effective industrial symbiosis process. Experimental development activities will focus on developing a sustainable concrete mixture consisting of CKD, fly ash and silica fume as a partial replacement of cement and limestone filler as a partial replacement of natural aggregates. To select the most suitable, the experimental investigation will evaluate alternative mixtures against the minimum regulatory and industrial requirements. Subsequently, industrial research activities will focus on producing the developed mixture and fabricating the new green block in an industrial environment. The developed green block will constitute an alternative sustainable solution compared to the existing the market products. At the same time, it will also contribute to managing industrial waste products and by-products, such as CKD. Furthermore, using industrial wastes in the constituent mixture will enhance the circular economy of the construction sector and establish a symbiosis process among the local industries. The significant gains that may arise from the potential applications indicate a need to undertake systematic research for further development. The project outcomes will demonstrate and prove the capability to produce the developed product in an industrial environment. They will also demonstrate its high potential to develop a profitable market as a sustainable product of industrial symbiosis.

Programme Framework: Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan, ENTERPRISES/0223, Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), Cyprus.

Budget - Funding: 227,220 Euro (total-budget), 136,080 Euro (UCY sub-budget)

Project Duration: 12.2023-11.2025

Partners: DOMIKA YLIKA LEDRA LTD, Cyprus (coordinator); University of Cyprus.

Short description: The project aims to address the global challenges in the fields of building materials science, energy efficiency, product manufacturing, waste management, circular economy and engineering design, and by thus doing lead to the development of a novel eco-friendly and sustainable masonry brick. Research will focus on the optimization of the design, the production of the prototype and the characterization of the masonry brick. Industrial research activities will focus on the establishment of a pilot production line that lead to the manufacture of proposed product. The experimental development and the industrial research activities, will validate the effectiveness and the potential of the proposed product in terms of structural, thermal and environmental performance and demonstrate the capability of the masonry brick to be produced at industrial-scale. Furthermore, assessment of mechanical, thermal and environmental performance of a masonry system consist of the proposed brick will be performed. In addition to the above, a database including the embodied energy and the environmental impact of the materials and of the equipment that is used for the production of the novel eco-friendly brick, will be established. The research outcomes will form the basis for the commercial production of the developed brick at local and international level, and also the licensing of a patent for the prototype product will also be feasible. In longer term, the systematic use of the proposed masonry brick constitutes a pioneering measure towards the increasement of energy efficiency of the buildings and the sustainable management of the construction and mining industry wastes that promote the transition to the sustainable model of the circular economy.

Programme Framework: Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan, CODEVELOP-GT/0322, Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), Cyprus.

Budget - Funding: 637,000 Euro (total-budget), 359,800 Euro (UCY sub-budget)

Project Duration: 02.2023-01.2025

Partners: University of Cyprus, Cyprus (coordinator); G.A. FYLACTOU LTD, Cyprus.

Short description: The aim of the project is the study, mapping, composition, and presentation of alternative development plans for the school’s consideration and to complement the organization’s business plan. The purpose of this project is for the design to constitute the pillar of satisfying the vision for the current and future needs of the organization – that is to become a model educational center for primary and secondary education and to offer premises and spatial infrastructures of high aesthetic and functional value to students, teachers, and other administrative and support staff of the organization.

Programme Framework: Funded by French-Cypriot School, Cyprus

Budget - Funding: 16,000 Euro (total-budget)

Project Duration: 11.2024 – 05.2025

Partners: University of Cyprus, Cyprus.

Short description: The project deals with the development of an innovative and pilot study for the upgrading and reuse of the building of the former Co-Operative Credit Society of Strovolos by the citizens of Strovolos and the residents of the wider area. The result of the project will be the emergence of the building as a reference and innovative project for the implementation of integrated bioclimatic and passive strategies which, in combination with energy storage and management strategies from the building envelop, will form a distinguished project of high energy, functional and environmental efficiency for the wider area of ​​the Southeastern Mediterranean.

Programme Framework: Funded by Municipality of Strovolos, Cyprus.

Budget - Funding: 110,000 Euro (total-budget)

Project Duration: 09.2024 – 09.2025

Partners: University of Cyprus, Cyprus.

Short description: The project deals with the development of an innovative and pilot study for the upgrading and reuse of the building of the former Co-Operative Credit Society of Strovolos by the citizens of Strovolos and the residents of the wider area. The result of the project will be the emergence of the building as a reference and innovative project for the implementation of integrated bioclimatic and passive strategies which, in combination with energy storage and management strategies from the building envelop, will form a distinguished project of high energy, functional and environmental efficiency for the wider area of ​​the Southeastern Mediterranean.

Programme Framework: Funded by Municipality of Strovolos, Cyprus.

Budget - Funding: 60,000 Euro (total-budget)

Project Duration: 09.2024 – 09.2025

Partners: University of Cyprus, Cyprus.

Short description: The project deals with the development of an innovative masterplan for new smart eco-cities in the regions of Kokkinotrimithia and Polemidia, at Nicosia and Limassol districts, respectively. The outputs are going to set the basis for further development of the target areas as they will be implemented by the Cyprus Land Development Corporation.

Programme Framework: Funded by Cyprus Land Development Corporation, Cyprus.

Budget - Funding: 40,000 Euro (total-budget)

Project Duration: 06.2020 – 06.2023

Partners: University of Cyprus, Cyprus.

Short description: The aim of the project is to provide technical support to the Ministry of Energy Commerce and Industry. Within this project, the University of Cyprus perform field studies to map the existing production techniques of local embroidery and record the main production characteristic such as time, materials, motives and patterns.

Programme Framework: Funded by Cyprus Handicraft Service, Cyprus.

Budget: 4,000 Euro

Project Duration: 10.2021 – 03.2022

Consortium: University of Cyprus, Cyprus.

Short description: The aim of the project is to develop three post-secondary educational programmes (EQF level 5) for the traditional ceramic, needlework, and weaving techniques of Cyprus. The curriculum of the programmes is divided between institutional and practical courses that intent to educate and train the new craftspeople generation of Cyprus.

Programme Framework: Funded by Cyprus Handicraft Service, Cyprus.

Budget: 6,000 Euro

Project Duration: 06.2021 – 02.2022

Consortium: University of Cyprus, Cyprus.

Short description: The prefab Eco-Smart house project aims at the design and development of a prefabricated adaptive housing unit that adopts passive design strategies, integrated renewable energy technologies and smart control systems.

Programme Framework: Business Innovation Research Grants Development of Innovative Products, Services and Processes 2014-2020 European Regional Development Fund; Republic of Cyprus, Cyprus.

Budget – Funding: 435,240 Euro (total-budget), 44,220 Euro (sub-budget for UCY)

Project Duration: 09.2017-09.2021

Partners: IMA Architecture, Cyprus; University of Cyprus, Cyprus; ELYMET Prefab Construction Ltd, Cyprus; PRICILAB Printed Circuit Laboratory, Cyprus.

Short description: The program aims to develop the new methodology for calculating the energy performance of buildings in Cyprus.

Programme Framework: Energy Service, Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Republic of Cyprus, Cyprus.

Budget - Funding: 120,800 Euro (total-budget), 90,800 Euro (UCY sub-budget)

Project Duration: 12.2018-09.2020

Partners: University of Cyprus, Cyprus (coordinator); Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

Short description: The Energy & Environmental Design of Buildings Research Laboratory (E&EDB) was established to cover research and technological innovation in the field of energy and environmental design in Cyprus, and at European level, with the aim of contributing to meeting the goals set out by Europe.

Programme Framework: Start-Up Research Grant, University of Cyprus (UCY), Cyprus.

Budget - Funding: 56,000 Euro

Project Duration: 10.2014 – 02.2017

Project Website: https://eedb.ucy.ac.cy/

Short description: The EcoBrick research project looks into the embodied energy and energy efficiency of a modular masonry system. Moreover, it investigates various mix designs and deals with the characterization of the physico-mechanical properties of the end-products.

Programme Framework: University of Cyprus (UCY), Cyprus; Internal Research Program (Interdepartmental).

Budget - Funding: 21,000 Euro

Project Duration: 12.2016 – 12.2018

Short description: The research aims at the development of a prototype modular brick unit, which is based on the prize awarded for innovative design concept of a customizable masonry construction component.

Programme Framework : University of Cyprus (UCY), Cyprus; External Research Program, Private Funding for Post-doctoral Researcher Position.

Budget - Funding: 40,000 Euro

Project Duration: 09.2015 – 09.2017

Short description: The Synergy research program involved the integrated architectural design and construction of pavilion prototypes. It aimed at redefining the integrated design and construction process based on a transdisciplinary approach of the agents involved, with a view to achieve sustainable participatory design proposals.

Programme Framework: University of Cyprus (UCY), Cyprus; External Research Program, Private Funding for the Construction of Timber Pavilion Prototypes.

Budget - Funding: 100,000 Euro (external funding sub-budget)

Project Duration: 04.2015 – 06.2017

Short description: The BISTS project aimed at making an environmental assessment of the integration of active solar energy systems on building envelopes in southern Europe. The study focused on the investigation of building integrated solar thermal systems in single and double shell facades in the new construction and/or substantial renovation of buildings.

Programme Framework: Departmental Research Grant, University of Cyprus (UCY), Cyprus; Internal Research Program.

Budget - Funding: 7,000 Euro

Project Duration: 10.2013 – 10.2014

Short Description: This project aims to determine the optimum geometry of the building blocks in order to ensure the viable integration of active solar energy systems in the urban fabric, in buildings shells and on urban equipment. At the same time, it examines the capability of these integrated technologies to meet the buildings and urban equipment’s energy needs, looking forward to the development of a Net Zero Energy city.

Type of Project: UCY Internal Programs

Budget - Funding: 65,200 Euro (total-budget)

Project Duration: Since 09.2020

Partners: Department of Architecture University of Cyprus, Cyprus; Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy; Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus.