Projects and References

At present, there is a high vacancy rate in office buildings due to people working remotely. This is a major economic and ecological problem: air-conditioned, illuminated office space stands empty while people work from home in less energy-efficient living spaces. For offices to be used, they must offer employees clear advantages. The classic multi-space concept, an open-plan office with various workplace modules, still leaves a lot to be desired, especially when it comes to privacy.

Acoustic panels are used to improve the acoustics in rooms with a high proportion of sound-reflecting surfaces. To make them look more attractive, the surface of these panels is covered with a slotted or micro-perforated wooden veneer. This regular surface design narrows the width of the absorption spectrum and impairs the high-quality, natural impression of the wood surface. In the present project, this technical problem is solved by a novel brushing process that opens the wood veneer along the grain, creating irregular holes.

In the GreenAcoustics project, a digital tool that takes a more comprehensive approach is to be designed and implemented as a prototype. The tool will be based on Fraunhofer IBP's existing reverberate technology, which uses not only the usual acoustic parameters, but also the shape of the room and the uneven distribution of absorbers in the room to calculate the reverberation time.

In the “Bassorber” project, a comprehensive calculation tool developed at IBP is used to accelerate and optimize the development of absorbers. The tool not only allows the absorption coefficients of almost all absorber structures to be optimized, but also the interaction between the absorbers.

In the Digital Room Acoustics Planning (DIGAKUST) project, a software solution is being developed that automatically calculates relevant key acoustic figures and makes them audible in a simulation environment in real time by transferring technical room parameters (e.g. size of the room, position of objects in the room, material properties of the surfaces). The aim is to provide users with an easy-to-use tool that captures interiors in great detail, automatically assigns object properties, allows the geometry of the room to be individually configured via an intuitive user interface, and makes it possible to experience the resulting changes in room acoustics in real time. Thus, the impact of structural or design changes on the overall acoustics becomes immediately apparent.

The CycloPlasma project combines an innovative adsorbent material and plasma technology to decontaminate wooden structures containing lindane and PCP. The CycloPlasma technique is a revolutionary concept when it comes to renovating and modernizing historical buildings. The method can be applied to all buildings in private and public ownership.

Psychoacoustics help to predict sound immission so that the actually perceived noise load can be mapped with a view to improving noise control.

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.

The aim of the research study is to develop concepts for »Buildings heated by wind-power«, which are heated during periods of strong wind only.

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.

Life cycle assessments are generally relatively complex and, depending on the objective and scope of study, call for a high level of expertise. Our collaboration with Institut cyclos-HTP has resulted in an important milestone on the way to calculating the carbon footprint (CF) of packaging quickly and efficiently. The application, called PACFAST (Packaging Carbon Footprint Fast and Standardised), uses an automatically generated file in CHI-RA that contains relevant packaging specifications for calculating the carbon footprint of the packaging in question.

The aim of the project is to improve the building energy performance, the life cycle balance and the quality of indoor environments by using micro-structured optical components for daylighting and electrical lighting applications.

This project shows that local, close-to-body air-conditioning measures can be more energy efficient and more comfortable than conventional air-heating.

In pursuit of safeguarding the values of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra (Jordan) given the challenges of rapid societal and climatic change, the Academy of Conservation and Care for the Environment 2024 (ACCE) aims to foster national and international knowledge exchange among post graduate students and young professionals. ACCE is building a platform for emerging young professionals to come together and participate in workshops at the intersection of natural and cultural heritage environments, by learning from and working with the communities entrusted with their care.

To support the sustainable conservation of the cultural heritage site of Petra, the Fraunhofer IBP together with local stakeholders, is developing a concept for a local education and training program.

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.

The HiPIE laboratory enables the conditioning of the environmental conditions acoustics, lighting, room climate and air quality on a room area of approx. 45 sqm.