SPHERE Project

What SPHERE Project does

SPHERE Project is a 4-year Horizon 2020 EU-funded research initiative that ran from November 2018 to October 2022, coordinated by IDP Ingeniería y Arquitectura Iberia SL from Sabadell, Spain. The project developed a BIM-based Digital Twin Platform as a Service (PaaS) infrastructure aimed at optimising the residential building lifecycle, reducing costs, and improving energy efficiency, with targeted outcomes of 25% shorter construction time, 15% lower operational energy demand, and 25% less CO2/GHG emissions. It served the Architecture Engineering Construction Owner & Operation (AECOO) sector, residential building owners and operators, social landlords, and EU policy makers, executing pilots in 2 new-build and 2 renovation residential buildings across Finland, Luxembourg, Italy, and the Netherlands spanning 3 climate zones. The 17-partner consortium drew from 10 EU countries and included VTT (technical coordinator), TNO, VRM Tech, R2M, IDP, and EURECAT among others.

The platform's core technology is an ontology-driven architecture combining W3C's Semantic Sensor Network (SSN) and Building Topology Ontology (BOT) with domain-specific Object Type Libraries, delivered over an Integrated Design and Delivery Solutions (IDDS) framework with an Open Digital Twin API grounded in ISO 15926. Sub-products include BIMBots/MicroServices for design and construction, ModSCO for building performance assessment using Reduced Order Grey Box Models, iPREDICT for predictive maintenance, the Human Thermal Model for personalised thermal comfort, the Environmental Assessment Platform (CEAT, LCCCA, CMT, OPT), and the XWIKI-based requirement management and QA platform. AI/ML features — self-learning model calibration, energy forecasting (TNO Applied AI), predictive maintenance, and optimisation — are embedded as discrete capabilities within this integration layer rather than as the primary differentiator.

SPHERE operated entirely on EU Horizon 2020 grant funding under Grant Agreement No. 820805, with no commercial pricing or revenue model. Outputs (platform, tools, ontologies, API) were published as open knowledge. Pilot engagements included NeroZero (53 energy-neutral homes in Heerhugowaard, Netherlands, via TNO) and Croydon Council (UK heat-network monitoring via VRM Tech's Clarity IoT platform). To ensure post-project continuity, the Building Digital Twin Association (BDTA) was founded in November 2020 as an independent non-commercial organisation to develop the ontology, Object Type Libraries, and Open Digital Twin API after the project's October 2022 close.

Name

SPHERE Project

Legal name

IDP INGENIERIA Y ARQUITECTURA IBERIA SL (IDP)

Website

https://sphere-project.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SPHERE Project was a 2018-2022 Horizon 2020 EU research project that developed a BIM-based Digital Twin Platform as a Service for optimising residential building lifecycles, using ontology-driven architecture to integrate design, construction, and operational data across multi-vendor ecosystems for the AECOO sector.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Digital Twin Software

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise PaaS (App Runtime & Managed Application Platforms) (HDAEAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Building Automation & Controls (BAS/BMS) (HSAPAPAA)

Keywords

• Building digital twins
• BIM platform software
• Construction technology research
• Building lifecycle management
• Energy efficiency software

Headquarters

HQ city

Sabadell, Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. EU Research Grant (H2020): SPHERE is funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 820805. It is a 4-year research project (2018-2022) with no commercial revenue model. The project focuses on demonstration and validation of the SPHERE platform with real new and retrofitting construction cases. Post-project uptake is targeted through the Building Digital Twin Association (BDTA) and the federation of the platform and tools ecosystem.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

SPHERE provides a BIM-based Digital Twin Platform delivered as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) ICT Systems of Systems infrastructure for residential buildings. The platform integrates data, information, and knowledge across the building lifecycle (design, construction, manufacturing, operations) via an ontology-driven architecture (W3C SSN + BOT + Object Type Libraries), open APIs, and an IDDS framework for seamless virtual-to-physical synchronization. It bundles sub-tools such as BIMBots, ModSCO, iPREDICT, Human Thermal Model, and an Environmental Assessment Platform, validated across 4 pilot residential buildings in 3 climate zones.

Product overview

SPHERE Project is a 4-year Horizon 2020 EU research initiative that provides a BIM-based Digital Twin Platform as a Service (PaaS) infrastructure. The platform integrates multiple tools and services from consortium partners into a unified ecosystem for building lifecycle optimization. Key products include: the core SPHERE Digital Twin Platform for BIM-based building representation; BIMBots/MicroServices for design and construction phases; ModSCO for building performance assessment; iPREDICT for predictive maintenance; the Human Thermal Model (HTM) for personalized thermal comfort; Environmental Assessment Platform (CEAT, LCCCA, CMT, OPT) for material and energy assessment; BIMBOT for generative design decision support; and the Digital Twin Requirement Management Platform (XWIKI). The platform aims for 25% reduction in construction time, 15% less energy demand, and 25% less CO2 emissions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SPHERE BIM-based Digital Twin Platform Platform as a Service (PaaS) ICT Systems of Systems infrastructure providing a BIM-based Digital Twin Environment for residential buildings, integrating data, information, and knowledge across design, construction, manufacturing, and operations. Built on ontology-driven architecture (W3C SSN + BOT + Object Type Libraries) with the IDDS framework for virtual-to-physical synchronization, open APIs, and decentralized data storages. Targeted at the AECOO sector for 25% shorter construction time, 15% lower operational energy demand, and 25% less CO2/GHG emissions.
• BIMBots / MicroServices Software microservices (BIMBots) developed for the design and construction phases of buildings, covering energy use, indoor environmental quality, and water management. Validated under laboratory conditions and integrated into the SPHERE ecosystem. For AECOO sector participants needing decision-support microservices across early lifecycle phases.
• ModSCO Web Application (Model-Supported Control) Web application based on Reduced Order Grey Box Models (ROM) developed with MODELICA language, equipped with a GUI, enabling standardised building performance assessment using the IPMVP protocol for energy savings estimation. Allows users to apply control settings and test envelope retrofit packages. For building performance analysts, facility managers, and energy efficiency researchers.
• iPREDICT (Predictive Maintenance Tool) Predictive maintenance tool that interconnects the predictive maintenance system with automatic maintenance management systems (CMMS), enabling standardised workflows for predictive and automated maintenance. For facility and asset managers needing predictive and automated maintenance within the Digital Twin environment.
• Human Thermal Model (HTM) A personalised indoor thermal comfort model providing optimal temperature conditions for different users, accounting for individual variation of up to 6°C in preferred optimal temperature. Demand-based thermal comfort concept integrated into the SPHERE Digital Twin platform. For building operators and occupants needing personalised thermal comfort management.
• Environmental Assessment Platform (CEAT, LCCCA, CMT, OPT) Four software technologies for material, energy, and environmental assessment of buildings: CEAT, LCCCA (Life Cycle Cost and Carbon Assessment), CMT, and OPT (Optimisation tool for concrete decisions). CEAT, LCCCA, and CMT utilise component and asset information in BIM models, while OPT supports decision-making on concrete selection for maintenance and refurbishment. For sustainability analysts, LCA practitioners, and building materials specifiers.
• Digital Twin Requirement Management and QA Platform (XWIKI) Collaborative XWIKI platform integrating all SPHERE project requirements developed by consortium partners in a live environment for high quality assurance standards. For project teams requiring collaborative requirements management and quality assurance in Digital Twin development.
• Open Digital Twin API Open, ontology-based API enabling inter-organisational and application information exchange based on standards like ISO 15926 for life cycle management of built assets. Part of the SPHERE Digital Twin Architecture enabling the ecosystem approach. For software vendors and integration teams needing standardised interoperability between building applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25% reduction in construction time
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability5 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IDP INGENIERIA Y ARQUITECTURA IBERIA SL (IDP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018Project Coordinator of SPHERE. IDP is responsible for overall project management, coordination, and the Digital Twin implementation. The coordinator is based in Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of FinlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018Technical Coordinator of SPHERE. Contributed to ontology development (alongside Neanex and Semmtech) and stakeholder workshops. VTT's research covers the ontology linked to WP2, thermal dummy research, and end-user needs workshops.
• EURECATcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018Host of the SPHERE Kick-off Meeting (1st General Assembly) in Cerdanyola, Barcelona in November 2018. Contributed to technical discussions and User-Centered Design (UCD) workshops.
• R2McoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner contributing to internal training (webinar on BIM and 3D scanning of buildings), Data Management guidelines, and technical development. Author of D1.1 Internal Progress Report.
• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading predictive twin model development for NeroZero dwellings in the Netherlands. Developed scalable building models for energy forecasting within Applied AI program. Partner in NeroZero house development with ATAG and Brink Climatesystems.
• VRM TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped VRM Clarity IoT platform for remote building asset monitoring and management. Worked with Croydon Council on heat network optimisation achieving potential 40% gas consumption saving. Contributed to SPHERE's Digital Twin ecosystem through IoT integration.
• NeanexcoreTechnology or IntegrationContributed to SPHERE Digital Twin Ontology development alongside VTT and Semmtech. Co-authored the ontology as a driver for change article. Part of the core development team for the Open Digital Twin API.
• SemmtechcoreTechnology or IntegrationContributed to SPHERE Digital Twin Ontology development alongside Neanex and VTT. Part of the ecosystem implementation team for the Digital Twin Architecture.
• COMETminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunication partner responsible for producing the project motion graphics video and the SPHERE website (D.8.3). Authored communication materials and contributed to UCD workshops.
• Building Digital Twin Association (BDTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBDTA was founded under the SPHERE project to continue developing project results (top-level ontology, OTLs, Open Digital Twin API) after SPHERE ends in 2022. BDTA's mission is to support Open Knowledge from SPHERE and create an ecosystem for mass implementation of Digital Twins in Europe.
• NFP (NeroZero Housing Developer)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHousing developer building 53 NeroZero energy-neutral homes in Heerhugowaard, Netherlands. TNO is using Digital Twin software to predict and control energy and indoor environment performance for these homes.
• Croydon CouncilminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUK local government partnered with VRM Tech using IoT sensors and Clarity platform for remote monitoring of 20 dwellings, heat network upgrades across 21 plant rooms, achieving potential 40% gas savings.
• BIMERR, BIM4REN, BIM-SPEED, BIM4EEBminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive finalizing H2020 projects focused on digitisation in the building industry that participated in the joint LDAC-CIB W78 workshop alongside SPHERE, sharing Linked Data and ontology technical contributions.
• BIMProve, BIM2TWIN, COGITO, ASHVINminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMore recently started H2020 projects that joined the roundtable discussion at the LDAC-CIB W78 workshop, exploring how Linked Data related outcomes from different projects can support each other and persist through BDTA.
• CREEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrepared the virtual building tour of the Allégra Luxembourg building pilot site for SPHERE. Contributed to the Luxembourg pilot demonstration activities.
• EkodengecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganised WP2 workshop on end-user needs for the platform. Contributed to Risk and Contingency Plan (D1.2). Technical partner in Dublin technical meeting discussions.
• NobatekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerModerated the workshop on Linked Data and ontologies for BIM and Building Digital Twins at the LDAC-CIB W78 joint conference.
• Eurecat (Article Contributor)minorOthersEurecat contributed the article on Blockchain technology in the context of Digital Twins and SPHERE, explaining the principles of distributed consensus for the project.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Dassault Systèmes (3DEXPERIENCE): Dassault's 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides building and infrastructure Digital Twin capabilities including CATIA-based BIM and virtual twin experiences. Comparable to SPHERE's lifecycle Digital Twin vision, with stronger enterprise traction but broader scope than residential-only.
• Trimble (Trimble Connect / Viewpoint): Trimble provides construction technology and connected workflow software including Trimble Connect for BIM collaboration and asset lifecycle management. Comparable to SPHERE's BIM integration and lifecycle collaboration goals, but at significantly broader scale and with established commercial SaaS.
• Bentley Systems (iTwin): Bentley Systems is a large established infrastructure-engineering software vendor; its iTwin platform is a direct Digital Twin offering for infrastructure and buildings. Highly comparable to SPHERE's BIM-based Digital Twin Platform but with much broader scope, deeper capital and a commercial product versus SPHERE's research-stage outputs.
• Autodesk (Tandem / Forma): Autodesk is the dominant BIM software vendor (Revit) and offers Tandem for Digital Twins of buildings and Forma for early-stage design. Directly comparable to SPHERE's BIM-centric Digital Twin architecture, but operating as a broad incumbent with commercial SaaS rather than a research consortium.
• Siemens (Xcelerator / Building X / MindSphere): Siemens offers smart-building and Digital Twin platforms (Building X on MindSphere/Xcelerator) for operational phase optimisation. Comparable to SPHERE's operational-phase focus and IoT integration patterns, with a much larger commercial footprint and IoT infrastructure.
• Hexagon (HxGN SDx / HxGN BIM): Hexagon offers geospatial and construction digital-twin platforms (HxGN SDx, HxGN BIM) covering design, construction and operations. Comparable to SPHERE's lifecycle Digital Twin scope with strong industrial / infrastructure positioning.

Direct peers

• Matterport: Matterport provides spatial digital twins of built environments using 3D capture, commonly used in real estate, construction, and facilities management. Comparable to SPHERE's Digital Twin approach for buildings, though with a different capture modality and more commercial productisation.
• Willow: Willow is a digital-twin platform specialised in buildings and infrastructure, focused on aggregating BIM, IoT, and operational data for asset owners. Closely comparable to SPHERE's Digital Twin Platform vision targeting building owners and operators across the asset lifecycle.
• VRM Tech (Clarity platform): VRM Tech is itself an SPHERE consortium partner providing the VRM Clarity IoT platform for remote building asset monitoring — used in the Croydon Council pilot. Directly comparable as an ecosystem member commercialising Digital Twin / IoT outputs of the SPHERE programme.
• Building Digital Twin Association (BDTA): BDTA is the non-profit association spun out of SPHERE to continue developing the project's ontology, OTLs and Open Digital Twin API. The closest institutional peer — essentially the continuation vehicle for SPHERE's outputs and the natural counterpart for any commercial SPHERE spin-off.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SphereProjectEU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sphere-project

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about SPHERE Project