Projects and References

When wall heating systems are installed on exterior walls in existing buildings, adding interior insulation is particularly beneficial. It reduces heat loss through the exterior wall and, at the same time, allows a transition to surface heating systems, which offer enhanced thermal comfort, lower flow temperatures, and better integration with renewable energy sources. This combination is best approached as a comprehensive, highly energy-efficient Wall Heating-Interior Insulation Hybrid System (H-WIHS). To realize this concept, 10 manufacturing companies and 2 trade associations are working in close collaboration with Fraunhofer IBP in a project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The implementation of six real-world test areas at the Fraunhofer Center in Benediktbeuern enables a broad-based study and demonstration aimed at knowledge transfer.

The department of Hygrothermics has developed products to answer issues relating to the heat and moisture balance of components and buildings.

The rapid economic development in Vietnam has led to changes in lifestyles and needs, accompanied by novel materials, building typologies, constructions and supply systems. This is associated with a variety of building physics challenges, especially under the demanding climate conditions. The German-Vietnamese project "CAMaRSEC" addresses these challenges through the implementation and further development of energy-efficient, resource-efficient and sustainable building practices.

To achieve a biological transformation, material flows must be considered as a whole and biointelligent solutions found for them. Closed material cycles are essential. For the insulating material, biological raw materials as well as residual materials are bonded together by mycelial growth.

In the project "Climate for Culture" the influence of climate change on cultural assets in Europe is determined with 27 partners.

In this project, the existing range of test facilities and simulation options at Fraunhofer IBP are supplemented in order to record rainwater retention capacity of green roofing structures.

Development and utilization of an innovative organic-based building material made of cattail and geopolymer.

There is a lack of suitable depots that meet the requirements of sustainability and energy efficiency as well as those of conservation.

Cultural assets are critical socio-cultural infrastructures whose services contribute to Germany's economic development and competitiveness and promote the community. However, the increase in extreme weather events due to climate change poses a threat to these infrastructures, such as historic buildings & gardens and cultural landscapes. The BMBF-SiFo project “KERES” therefore studied future extreme weather events and their effects on our cultural heritage in Germany, and used models to examine these scenarios.

In order to contend with extreme and imminent climate change, and to sustain cultural cohesion in the inhospitable environments that may result, we need to learn how to adapt and live with extremes by embracing climatically appropriate architecture and infrastructure. Combining the sciences and the arts, The Consortium for Climate-Adapted Architectural Heritage forecasts future climates in terms of geographically-based climate analogs – elucidating the future climate of any given location by identifying places that currently have the anticipated climate conditions – helping communities to adapt to climate change through preemptive modification of the built environment.