InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM, organized the InnoRenew CoE International Conference 2026 (IRIC2026), which took place 5–6 November 2026 at the InnoRenew CoE building in Izola, Slovenia. This year, the conference focused on renewable materials and their use in creating healthy and sustainable buildings, while also placing special emphasis on supporting the career development of PhD students and early-career researchers.
International researchers and experts gathered in Izola to exchange knowledge and experience, present their research, and discuss innovative solutions for a healthier and more sustainable built environment.
Dr. Andreja Kutnar, department chair of InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM, opened the conference and welcomed attendees saying: “I am very happy that we are hosting IRIC2026 in our building for the eighth consecutive year, bringing together excellent international researchers, PhD students, and early-career researchers to exchange knowledge and ideas across a wide range of scientific topics.”
The keynote address was delivered by Gijs Bruggink, who gave a presentation titled “Wood & Wellbeing: The Health Benefits of Timber Architecture”.
Gijs Bruggink has spent over 13 years working at ORGA architect, an internationally active architecture practice. He led the research team behind the Wood & Wellbeing report on the health benefits of building with timber. At IRIC2026, he presented his work on wood construction, biophilic design and the importance of designing healthy living and working spaces.
In addition to the keynote address, the conference featured thematic sessions on advanced manufacturing, materials, creativity and society, buildings and health. Participants had a chance to take part in two workshops:
- Michael Burnard workshop “Writing Research Questions and Hypotheses”
- Črtomir Tavzes workshop “Unlocking the Potential of Lower-Quality Wood through Innovative Utilization Pathways”
For the eighth consecutive year, the InnoRenew CoE International Conference provided a forum for the exchange of knowledge and discussion of new scientific developments and innovations in renewable materials that can be used in the built environment to improve human and environmental well-being. The conference also offered PhD students and early-career researchers an opportunity to present their work, exchange ideas, and connect with international colleagues.
The IRIC2026 was co-organized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth as part of Science month 2026.
