Publications
"Future Building" (Zukunft Bau) Innovation Programme
Article Building & Housing
Alongside the construction and housing industries, planning, architecture and construction engineering have a strong influence on our society by creating and shaping the spaces we live in. This means that they are relevant not only in economic terms, but also in sociopolitical terms.
The Future Building Research Funding, Future Building Departmental Research and Future Building Pilot Project sub-programmes of the Future Building innovation programme of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI) provide significant momentum to the construction sector.
The Future Building innovation programme is implemented on behalf of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI) by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) within the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR). The BMI and the BBSR actively support:
- climate change mitigation
- energy and resource efficiency
- affordable construction
- quality architectural design in the (urban) development context
- managing demographic change
At the same time they focus on increasing and transferring knowledge on innovations in technology, organisation and improving the quality of the built environment. The impetus behind all measures is the goal of driving forward the sustainable development of the buildings sector as a whole.
Research funding
The Future Building Research Funding sub-programme enables research topics in the construction sector to be formulated on an individual basis by researchers. The topics must be of particular public interest. Independent experts advise the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community in its funding decisions.
Departmental research
The Future Building Departmental Research sub-programme sets out the key content points and goals of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community, and awards research commissions to suitable researchers based on a public tendering procedure. The topics for research must be issues that are part of specific departmental tasks.
Pilot projects
Future Building pilot projects are used to test innovative construction techniques in practice. Specific building projects are monitored by academic experts to gain knowledge for similar projects in the future.
Pilot project for the sustainable, affordable construction of “Variowohnungen” – flexible, modular mini apartments at low prices
The demand for affordable accommodation has been growing in German cities and urban areas for years. Despite the sharp rise in student numbers in recent years, many investors are reluctant to invest in student accommodation. The federal ministry responsible for building therefore put funds from its Future Investments Programme towards the Future Building Innovation Programme up to the end of 2019. The aim was to construct and research innovative pilot projects in sustainable, affordable housing for students and trainees throughout Germany.
Efficiency House Plus pilot project
This programme supports construction clients in constructing buildings that produce considerably more energy than is used in their operation. This energy is then used first and foremost for electromobility. The pilot projects are assessed within an accompanying academic study. 35 buildings are currently part of the Efficiency House Plus network and are being monitored for academic analysis. Since 2015, funding has also been available for educational facilities constructed to Efficiency House Plus standard.
