Making building data easier to share

Access to reliable building data is essential for understanding existing materials and supporting more circular construction decisions.

Within SUM4Re, partner Concular is working on this challenge through the development of the MILS Bridge, a solution designed to connect existing company systems to the MILS network.

MILS is a decentralised network for building data. Instead of relying on a central database, each participant keeps control of its own data and can make selected information available to other connected users.

This approach supports the wider SUM4Re objective of creating digital foundations for better material identification, traceability and reuse.

Connecting existing systems to the MILS network

The MILS Bridge acts as the connection between existing company infrastructure and the decentralised MILS network.

Built on a client-server architecture, it enables secure communication with MILS nodes and can connect a range of existing data sources, including:

• Local and static files
• Google Drive documents
• HTTP APIs
• Raw JSON
• Concular’s internal systems

The approach is designed to make these sources publishable to the network without requiring custom integration code.

Keeping data connected and under control

The decentralised structure means that data remains with its owner rather than being transferred into one central database.

Connected users can browse building data published by other nodes and register their own information for others to access. At the same time, access control and user management help determine who can see and use specific data.

The MILS Bridge also includes multi-language support and tools for identifying and debugging communication issues, supporting practical operation across different systems and users.

Supporting SUM4Re’s digital workflow

The MILS Bridge contributes to SUM4Re’s wider digital architecture, which brings together different data platforms and workflows to support the creation and enrichment of digital material information. The project is developing methods for sharing data between platforms including Concular, Genia and Cirdax.

This is particularly relevant to SUM4Re’s ambition to create materials banks from digital urban mining, where information about existing buildings and their materials can support better decisions about reuse and recovery.

From connected data to circular construction

Better access to building information can help create the conditions for more informed decisions about existing materials.

Through the MILS Bridge, Concular is contributing a practical connection between existing company data systems and a decentralised building data network.

As SUM4Re continues developing its digital workflows and pilot applications, this type of interoperability can help bring different sources of building information together and support the project’s broader vision of keeping materials in circulation.

Better connected data can help build the information infrastructure needed for more circular construction.