The increasing number of buildings, due to erosion and extraordinary effects, has increasingly made technological advancements focused on innovative methods possible. This has become more prominent alongside traditional practices such as visual inspection and destructive building diagnostic methods. Thanks to the continuous development of tools, technologies and methodologies, the accurate and detailed digital mapping of buildings (including all their aspects) is available. Among these solutions, the laser scanner point cloud is the most popular due to its high level of detail. The newly emerging and now widespread survey procedures based on laser, photogrammetric remote sensing reflect a real-time, current state of the buildings, which maximizes the accuracy of the Building Information Model (BIM) - Historic Building Information Model (HBIM) completed in the later phases and helps detect structural or surface defects. This study presents the analyzing techniques of point clouds to diagnose buildings, assess their condition, identify errors, and develop sustainability strategies. It also explores areas that require further research and development to enhance the effectiveness of these methods. In the first phase of the paper, the currently used point cloud generation technologies (e.g.: laser scanning, photogrammetry, light detection and ranging (LiDAR)) will be presented with their advantages and disadvantages. The research methodology was conducted using the VOSviewer software to visually analyze bibliometric networks from a dataset of scientific publications, focusing on trends in structural health monitoring and highlighting key areas such as damage detection, computer vision, and AI-based techniques. In the second phase of the study, the possibilities of the analysis of point clouds and image processing-based survey options for structural diagnostic purposes will be explained and presented. The evaluation of the three damage detection methodologies (Geometrical features, Color and intensity information, Combined Method) highlights their complexity, technological requirements, cost, practical applicability, and accuracy. During the analysis, the goal is to map and systematize innovative methods supported by digital tools for diagnostic tasks in existing buildings.

During the renovation of protected buildings, strict regulations must be met. Buildings of different ages and protection categories require different structural solutions, including the modernization of windows and doors. In addition to heritage protection aspects, environmental awareness, sustainability, energy efficiency regulations, and the objectives of Fit for 55 and the Green Deal are given a prominent role. The research examines how the different categories of protection appear in Hungary in connection with the replacement of windows and doors and what regulations apply to their renovation. A case study of a historic building examines the effects of the interventions, with particular regard to the reduction of CO2 emissions, with the help of life cycle assessment (LCA) based on a BIM model, using machine and manual calculations. The results show that it is worth staying with the original solid wood material because changing the material – for example, to modern PVC or aluminum triple-layer windows – involves a greater environmental impact. The methodology of the analysis can be used as an analogy for the renovation of other similar buildings and can serve as a basis for issuing different tenders.

Modern architecture has brought new opportunities with the development of industry and technology. Among other things, it has become possible to visually connect the interior and exterior spaces with transparent structures, while providing climatic separation. Since the first modern buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe, large glazed surface buildings have gained considerable ground. Through the examination of a case study, the research looks for the answer to which of the possible structural solutions for buildings with large surfaces of glass are double or triple glazing, the use of internal or external, or fixed or movable shading is it more beneficial from a building energy point of view, in order to create the comfort of the interior space. The tests were carried out according to the calculations of the 7/2006 TNM decree and also according to the rules of the 9/2023 ÉKM decree, in force from November 2023.