The primary focus of the Fraunhofer IBP’s work is on research, development, testing, demonstration and consulting in the various specialist areas of building physics. These include areas such as noise control and sound insulation measures in buildings, the optimization of acoustics in indoor spaces, and solutions for improving energy efficiency and optimizing lighting technology.They also include issues related to climate control and the indoor environment, hygiene and health protection, building material emissions, weatherproofing and protection against heat and moisture, preservation of building structures and the conservation of historical monuments. The institute employs life cycle engineering methods to analyze the potential environmental, social and technical impacts of products, services and processes. This enables us to evaluate and make lasting improvements towards sustainability and to foster innovation processes. Our portfolio of building science services also includes building chemistry, building biology and hygiene, as well as cutting-edge work in the field of concrete technology. Our Kassel branch applies and builds on conventional methods of efficient energy use and provides key expertise in the development of building system components. The “Systems Integration in Efficient Buildings” research team, which is affiliated with the Department of Indoor Environment and based at our Nuremberg branch, works on integrated solutions for buildings. Its goal is to provide maximum comfort, health benefits and age-appropriate housing while keeping costs reasonable and minimizing the use of energy. Completing its portfolio by a collaboration between Fraunhofer IBP, Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences and ift Rosenheim, the Fraunhofer Center Building Technology at Rosenheim develops and designs innovative building concepts and optimized components for both new and existing buildings with a focus on current topics like saving energy, solar energy generation, resource efficiency, sustainability, plus energy concepts, and modularity including adaptivity and thermal comfort. The Fraunhofer IBP works together with industry partners to help develop and launch novel and environmentally- friendly building materials, components and systems. Our clients predominantly comprise building companies, mechanical engineering firms, plant manufacturers, contractors, developers, architects, planners and licensing authorities, as well as private and public-sector institutions engaged in construction research. The application of building science expertise to related areas of specialization has expanded our circle of partners to include companies from the automotive and aviation industries. We carry out complex building physics studies at our efficient and well-equipped laboratories and test centers and at our outdoor testing site in Holzkirchen, which to the best of our knowledge is the largest facility of its kind. Modern laboratory measuring techniques and computational methods help researchers develop and optimize building products for practical applications. We also carry out experiments in environmental test chambers, simulation facilities and existing buildings to assess components and overall systems for new buildings and renovation projects based on the principles of building physics. The Fraunhofer IBP has been approved by the German building inspection authorities as a testing, monitoring and certification center for building materials and building techniques in Germany and the rest of Europe. Four of the institute’s test laboratories have been granted flexible accreditation by the German accreditation body Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS) in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025. This entitles them to develop new test methods and to modify existing methods. The motto “Building on knowledge” lies at the heart of the institute’s research and development work and includes the academic programs offered through the Chairs of Building Physics at the Technical University of Munich and the University of Stuttgart. The doctoral study courses “Climate – Culture – Building” and “People Inside” provide a solid framework for conducting basic research into climate adapted building design and the interaction between people and their indoor environments. At the same time, close ties to regional industry ensure a strong and steady influx of professional expertise in all the institute’s fields of research.
