During the construction event Batimat in Paris, kelvin held a conference on its AI-empowered platform to enhance energy audits and renovations. On-site image and content gathered by our social media manager Emmanuelle Roux.
At Batimat, a major construction event that gathers industry leaders, the spotlight was on energy efficiency, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology. Two companies—kelvin and Hellio—presented a collaborative solution that is poised to transform the way energy audits and building renovations are conducted across France, particularly in the residential sector.
Currently, studies show it will take 35 years to renovate 7 million of today’s energy slums. kelvin and Hellio believe this is too slow. Since 2023, kelvin has focused on transforming the commercial qualification of energy renovation projects. Its platform incorporates geostatistical data, 3D modeling, and artificial intelligence.
The combination of kelvin’s AI-driven platform and Hellio’s advisory expertise offers architects and designers a streamlined approach that reduces manual workload and accelerates the renovation process. This should benefit such professionals who are increasingly tasked with integrating energy-efficient designs into renovation projects.
Together, kelvin and Hellio held a conference during Batimat to discuss what they do and how they do it. Here’s what we learned.
AI at the Heart of kelvin’s Platform
A key highlight of the presentation was kelvin’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to automate and optimize the energy audit process. Traditionally, energy audits have required significant time and effort, with professionals manually collecting data and creating thermal models. kelvin’s AI-powered platform changes this by automating much of the preliminary work, offering immediate access to relevant data, and generating actionable insights for architects, designers, and energy specialists.
AI allows the platform to collect and analyze data and refine renovation scenarios based on real-time inputs. By leveraging AI, kelvin enables architects to quickly assess the energy performance of a building and receive suggestions for improving efficiency—all without the need for extensive manual input. As one representative explained:
“We’re no longer spending hours gathering data. Instead, AI helps us focus on the actual project, making smarter decisions faster.”
For architects and designers, this means more time to focus on creative solutions that meet both energy efficiency goals and aesthetic desires. The AI-driven system continuously refines the initial energy audit, ensuring that the proposed renovation scenarios are accurate, efficient, and customized to the building’s specific needs.
Tailored Renovation Scenarios Powered by AI
The AI integration in kelvin’s platform ensures that renovation scenarios are not only data-driven but also flexible and adaptable. As energy specialists gather more data from a site visit, the AI refines the initial recommendations and helps generate detailed, accurate models of the building’s energy performance. These scenarios can then be adjusted based on the client’s specific needs, budget, and design preferences.
“Our customers are masters of the work, or at least bear the responsibility of the design,” a representative from Hellio stated. “We are focused on a role of advice, so much that an energy advisor can do it remotely.”
For architects, this AI-powered adaptability offers a huge advantage. Projects can evolve dynamically, and design decisions can be revisited and optimized based on updated energy models. The platform’s AI even assists in prioritizing various energy-saving measures, helping designers make informed decisions without sacrificing design quality.
Seamless Collaboration and Time-Saving for Professionals
The combination of AI, automated data collection, and kelvin’s streamlined platform facilitates collaboration between architects, designers, and energy auditors. By significantly reducing the time spent on initial data collection and manual analysis, the platform allows professionals to move more quickly into the design phase, where creativity and innovation come to the forefront.
“We’re not going to grab it by hand in the thermal software… we use the source file. This one too, on the hard part, we’re saving time,” said a representative from kelvin, explaining how the platform automates data integration, removing the need for manual input, which saves time and increases efficiency during the design and audit processes.
kelvin’s AI also processes public data and previous energy reports, which means professionals don’t have to start from scratch. The AI pulls relevant information, such as energy consumption and building characteristics, into the system, enabling architects to focus on more complex design and planning decisions. This time-saving efficiency is crucial for professionals managing multiple projects or working with tight deadlines.
A Flexible, AI-Driven Pricing Model
In addition to the technical benefits, kelvin’s AI-driven solution operates on a subscription model tailored to the volume of work. The flexibility of this pricing structure allows architectural firms to integrate kelvin’s platform into their existing workflows without significant upfront costs. For larger firms handling numerous projects, AI-driven automation can also scale seamlessly, allowing for increased project efficiency without a proportional increase in workload.
“We are on a subscription pricing, so annual subscription, which adapts to the volume of our clients, solutions that start at a few thousand euros per year,” said a representative from kelvin.
AI and the Future of Sustainable Design
As sustainability becomes a top priority in architecture and construction, kelvin’s AI-powered platform offers architects a way to stay ahead of energy regulations while delivering high-quality design. The platform allows professionals to push the boundaries of what’s possible in energy renovation, all while ensuring that the projects meet stringent French regulations like the 3CL standards.
One of the standout aspects of kelvin’s AI is its ability to handle complex projects, including the renovation of historic buildings. By analyzing materials and site-specific conditions, the AI helps architects ensure that energy-efficient updates don’t compromise the integrity of heritage properties. This level of precision is invaluable as the industry moves towards more ambitious energy efficiency goals, such as reducing outdated thermal pathways and improving energy performance across the country’s housing stock.
Architects as Leaders of AI-Driven Innovation
For architects and designers, the integration of AI into renovation projects presents exciting new opportunities to lead the shift toward smarter, more sustainable buildings. With kelvin’s platform, professionals can rely on AI to handle the technical aspects of energy audits and renovation scenarios, allowing them to focus on the creative, human-centered side of design.
AI is not just a tool for automation—it’s a collaborative partner that enables architects to design with confidence, knowing that the energy solutions they propose are rooted in data, compliance, and technical expertise. By embracing AI-powered platforms like kelvin’s, architects and designers will not only meet today’s energy standards but also help shape the future of sustainable, energy-efficient architecture.
