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Hydro Building Systems emphasise on developing a ‘software value chain� to support architects, engineering offices and metal builders to create effective projects. Debates on global warming, climate change and CO2 emissions have significantly influenced not only public opinion, but also the legislative authorities in Europe and other parts of the world. Following this, certain political initiatives today underline the demand to reduce total energy consumption. One of the key areas in which these reductions can be achieved is the building sector, which today accounts for approximately 40 per cent of the overall primary energy consumption in Europe. Directives such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive have clearly focused on reducing energy consumption in buildings by more than 40 per cent by the year 2020. Also, latest results on climate change substantiate the urgent demand to make fundamental changes within the industry. The challenge lies� In order to reduce the total energy consumption, there are clear-cut challenges which the building industry will have to surpass. For instance, to design energy efficient and low energy buildings, the curtain wall, also called the building envelope, will have to become multi-functional. Projects of Hydro Building Systems from 2005 and before have shown that by integrating all devices to heat, cool, ventilate and light the building into the curtain wall can reduce the energy demand by 50 per cent and more. However, this is possible only if designed interdisciplinary between architects, building investor, engineering offices and metal builder from the very beginning of the project. Moreover, they should work in parallel, unlike today’s main working process between project stakeholders, which is sequential. This sequential way of working leads to the so called ‘operational islands�, which will be less energy efficient buildings, than what could have been reached. Tradition is one among the multiple reasons behind ‘operational islands�, while the missing IT integration between the stakeholders is another. Hydro Building Systems therefore emphasises on developing a seamless ‘software value chain� to support: � Architects - to be able to focus on their design and interact with associated project partners without redundant work processes.� Engineering offices - to work with the design principle of the architects.� Metal builders - to support the architects and engineering office with its expertise before the specification is done. So far, architects, engineering offices and metal builders have used software solutions which are not interlinked. This has resulted in sequential working processes, misaligned working results and additional costs and time to realise the common building project. Also, priced high, the latest software solutions for the architect, engineer and the metal builder have been designed with focus on the related users and not the entire building industry. This has further led to an increase in split between the different project stakeholders, as a change from the previously chosen solution is hardly done. For metal builder companies as well as for the other stakeholders, where investments need special attention and long term planning; investments are only done when absolutely needed. This also leads to outdated software solutions used. On the other side, designing ‘green buildings� require the latest software solutions which would interlink the different stakeholders, further creating an effective and cost efficient project process. …And so forth The prognosis for the coming decade is that if our current energy consumption level does not change, the atmospheric content of CO2 will reach 650 ppm. This will have dramatic results, as the likelihood of the extinction of flora and fauna will be close to 100 per cent and even the loss of huge areas of land may reach up to 75 per cent. Countries with coastal regions in particular will have dramatic years in front of them. The others will have to struggle with massive flooding and frequent hurricanes. Experts in the field believe that the critical level of around 450 ppm will be reached in 2030 if there is no change in behaviour towards consuming energy. 2030 is just 20 years from now! (Communication by the management of the company)