Off-Site Technologies for the Building Envelope: Mapping Practices and Innovations of Cold-Formed Steel-Based Systems

The 2050 climate goals have reshaped the priorities of the European construction sector, bringing Off-Site Construction (OSC) and energy-intensive industries, such as steel, into sharper focus. This shift underscores the importance of industrialized processes and highlights the need for optimizing resource use. In the steel sector, material efficiency is already being achieved through cold-formed steel-based (CFS) technologies. Among these, Light Steel Frame (LSF) and Sandwich Panels (SP) stand out as key lightweight industrialized solutions. However, a comprehensive state of the art and practice for these technologies is lacking. The aim of this research is twofold: first, to identify research gaps, current trends, and emerging directions; and second, to map the current state of practice by identifying leading LSF and SP manufacturers, along with key products available in the market. The research adopts a multisource methodology, comprising three main steps: (i) a systematic review of EU-funded projects related to offsite facades incorporating CFS technologies; (ii) a thorough review of the scientific literature; and (iii) a market analysis. Drawing on data from CORDIS, Scopus, and Web of Science, this study integrates multiple sources to offer a holistic perspective on the subject. The systematic review of EU-funded projects and market products culminates in a comprehensive atlas of solutions, accompanied by detailed analysis cards that outline key performance indicators such as levels of prefabrication, flexibility, and technological integration. This work significantly contributes to the current body of research by defining the role of CFS technologies within OSC, laying the groundwork for an extensive database that promotes their dissemination and showcases the potential of cold-formed steel-based industrialized products.