Stakeholder-informed renovation digital twin for multi-domain monitoring: pilot implementation and acceptance evaluation

Achieving the EU’s energy and decarbonisation goals requires more efficient management of building renovation projects. Whilst digital twin (DT) technology is increasingly adopted across the built environment, most existing research and practice focus on its application during the operational phase of built assets such as energy monitoring, space and occupancy management, and predictive maintenance. However, there remains a gap in leveraging DT potential in renovation projects, supporting multi-domain performance tracking. This study presents a pilot implementation and preliminary evaluation of a Renovation Digital Twin (RDT) platform tailored to the specific challenges of renovation projects. The RDT integrates real-time data and dashboards to monitor 13 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across five domains: cost, schedule, quality, safety, and environment. Designed with GDPR compliance and usability in mind, the platform aims to support Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) stakeholders by improving transparency, early issue detection, and decision-making throughout project delivery. The RDT was evaluated using a quantitative questionnaire based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) involving 102 industry professionals to assess perceived usefulness, ease of use, and overall user acceptance. Results demonstrated high user confidence, with Attitude Toward Use (RII = 0.894) ranking highest amongst TAM constructs. Deployment on the French RINNO demonstration site, achieving 73% emissions reduction but facing economic viability challenges, demonstrates the platform’s capacity to surface complex multi-domain trade-offs. Whilst minor usability improvements were identified, initial findings provide evidence of the platform’s viability and user acceptance, though broader validation across diverse renovation contexts is required. This research contributes an initial, stakeholder-informed DT framework for renovation, advancing the role of digital technologies in improving coordination, monitoring, and performance in occupied retrofit environments.