Building & Living


We offer excellent know-how paired with creativity from basic research all the way to product development, and we contribute our industry and market knowledge.
Our services in R&D range from surface microstructures to the supporting structures of buildings, from building physics modeling to 1:1 fire tests, from structural optimisation of windows/doors to the durability of facades, all the way to examinations of floor coverings and coatings for indoor and outdoor use.

design-element

Building structure and statics

In our static test facility, we offer examinations into load transfer and building bracing as well as into the connection technology of components. Furthermore, our civil engineers will support you with static calculations and modeling.

Wooden house construction and house technology

The development of high-performance components and the use of new, efficient component layers for our customers are part of our standard programme. The subject of prefabrication and joining technology significantly determines our development work. The intelligent integration of complex building services constitutes another focus.

Building physics and fire protection

We support you in your product development with hygrothermal simulations, 1:1 experiments in the laboratory and in the field test, as well as building acoustic measurements in the Akustik Center Austria. In the field of fire protection, we design, organize, and evaluate extensive fire tests together with our cooperation partners.

Building shell and facade

In the area of windows, doors and (glass) facades, we offer all options for structural, thermal and acoustic optimisation of components, e.g. in connection with vacuum glass.
We deal with the subject of wooden facades in all of its facets, from the choice of raw materials to the construction and surface quality through to durability, service life, and maintenance.

Fittings, furniture, and surfaces

Home furnishings such as seating furniture, kitchens, beds or mattresses are just as much part of our research objects as office or school furniture.
In the area of flooring and decking, we examine materials, constructions and durability.
Surface structures and coatings in the weathered and non-weathered area are further research topics.

Contact Persons


Windows / doors


Dr. Julia Bachinger

P:+43 1 798 26 23-63
E:Get in touch

Surfaces


Dr. Boris Forsthuber

P:+43 1 798 26 23-20
E:Get in touch

Timber construction


DI Sylvia Polleres

P:+43 1 798 26 23-67
E:Get in touch

Building physics


Dr. Bernd Nusser

P:+43 1 798 26 23-71
E:Get in touch

Our services


Akustik Center Austria

The building acoustics laboratory offers examination capabilities for walls, ceilings, roofs, windows, facades and building technology as well as for longitudinal sound conduction and butt joint design. Using laser technology, we can render sound-induced vibrations "visible".

Centre for windows and doors

We offer comprehensive testing and examination options for all types of windows, doors, and facades as well as for individual components such as window profiles, fittings, sun protection devices, mounting systems and the like, irrespective of the material.

Microscopy

Light microscopes and a scanning electron microscope (SEM/EDX) provide us with images and measurements for analysing the structure, topography, and chemical composition of a wide variety of material samples.

Field test houses

We examine wall elements, windows, doors, flat roofs and pitched roofs in our two field test houses at real outdoor climate conditions and adaptable indoor climates. Thus, we are able to analyze effects and their interactions beyond laboratory conditions.

Cooperative projects


Grade2New

Wood is widely recognized as a competitive renewable raw material for construction products. To maintain and improve this unique selling position, Europe is pushing the…

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ErKa

Qualification initiative for (thermal) upgrade of double windows

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TreeGuard

Climate changes are leading to increased (re)forestation in our forests. As a result, the demand for tree shelters, especially alternative, biodegradable ones, is…

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SuperBark

Softwood bark is a by-product of the timber industry that is currently mostly used to produce energy and heat. In the project SuperBark, phenolic components and cellulose…

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Terrasse digital

Decking e.g. for terraces and balconies is one of the most important and at the same time a very challenging application for wood in outdoor areas. The variety of…

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TimberLoop

Due to the further CO2 storage and resource savings in each new life cycle, its high availability and many synergistic effects, construction timber from previous use has…

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dataholz_build_up

The aim of the project is to further develop the digitization of the online component catalog into a multifunctional planning tool. A thematic focus is on the analysis,…

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HyPELignum

The European project „HyPELignum“ under the coordination of RISE (SWE) focusses on the development of printed electronics on wood and wood-based materials. Use-cases…

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Bauen mit Laubholz

Project purpose is to establish foundations for an effective use of local hardwoods as construction products. Priorities are to develop new processing methods to increase…

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Mindwood

Functional inkjet printing for smart wooden construction elements with integrated monitoring

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Available infrastructure:


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