Faculty of
Architecture and Civil Engineering

The preservation and development of the existing building stock is one of the key challenges of our time and forms a crucial aspect in achieving sustainability goals. At present, around two-thirds of all investment in construction is already being channelled not into new builds but into the existing building stock.

Particular importance is attached to existing buildings which, due to their construction methods or cultural significance, can be classified as defining the character of towns and cities. These historically significant buildings are worth preserving not only in terms of resource efficiency and CO₂ reduction, but particularly from a socio-cultural perspective.

The research group ‘Preservation and Development of Historically Significant Buildings’ focuses on methods and approaches for the sustainable and careful management of historic buildings.

It deals with the following topics:

• Methods of geometric surveying and structural investigation of historic buildings.
• Methods of building documentation (digitalisation, BIM)
• Historical building research, including archaeological building research, the application of digital methods, and the incorporation of issues relating to the history of building technology and construction (Construction History)
• Heritage conservation assessments and objectives, conservation management plans and participatory processes.
• Methods for the sensitive, sustainable and resource-efficient restoration and development of historically significant buildings.

This research group includes the following fields of expertise:

• Design in a historical context,
• Building Construction for existing buildings,
• History of architecture, and
• Building research and heritage conservation, as well as
• the Laboratory for Building Research.

Research Projects in the Field of Preservation and Development of Historically Significant Buildings

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Duppel, Professorship of Design in a Historical Context

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Friedmar Voormann, Professorship of Structural Engineering for Existing Buildings

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Corinna Rohn, Professorship for Architectural History and Building Research

Prof. Dr. Anne Bantelmann-Betz, Professorship for Historic Preservation

Inner development refers to the urban planning strategy of meeting the demand for new residential, commercial, and other spaces primarily through the (re)use of potential within the existing, already developed built-up areas of a town or city, and largely avoiding the designation of new development areas on the outskirts. Such potential may include vacant lots and brownfield sites, as well as opportunities for adding stories or extensions, (impending) vacancies, or underutilized properties. Inner development is thus an essential component of sustainable, resource-efficient spatial development.

The research group’s goal is to examine this issue across various spatial and temporal scales: From identifying potential at the urban region and neighborhood levels, through urban planning frameworks and effects, to an analysis at the building and structural levels, as well as the evaluation of infill development concepts over their entire life cycle using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Volker Kleinekort, Professorship of Urban Planning and Housing Design

Prof. Dipl. Arch. ETH Sascha Luippold, Professorship for Climate-Just Construction and Design

Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Daniel Seiberts, Professorship for Sustainability and Design

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Fabian Wenner, Professorship of Sustainable Urban Planning and Alternative Mobility Concepts

The design of transportation systems plays a central role in the functioning of economic and social systems. However, the existing transport system is being called into question more than ever: on the one hand, the environmental and climate impact of transport and the declining social acceptance of motorized transport in cities require changes. On the other hand, digitalization offers completely new possibilities for shaping the transport system.
The research focus "Mobilität und Verkehr" (Mobility and Traffic) operates in this area of tension. Supported by the Mobility Management specialist group and the RITMO research center, it develops solutions for the mobility of tomorrow. Central to this is the idea of keeping an equal eye on transport supply and demand in terms of Mobility Management. The focus of research - always linked to teaching and transfer - lies in the fields of

• Survey and analysis of mobility and traffic,
• Design of Mobility Management and transport planning processes,
• Development of cross-modal mobility and transportation concepts
• Evaluation of processes, projects and programs in mobility and transport

Research projects in the field of mobility and transportation

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Volker Blees, Professorship for Transport Engineering

Prof. Dr.-Ing. André Bruns, Professorship for Mobility Management and Transport Planning

Prof. Dr. Christian Grotemeier, Professorship for Mobility Management and Business Administration

Prof. Dr. Matthias Kowald, Professorship for Mobility Behaviour

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martina Lohmeier, Professorship for Mobility Management and Cycling

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Fabian Wenner, Professorship for Sustainable Urban Planning and Alternative Mobility Concepts

The goal of the "Nachwachsende Baustoffe und Lehmbau" (Renewable building materials and clay construction) research group at the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering is to research, develop and investigate building components, constructions or structures in new buildings that are made from or use renewable building materials such as wood, straw, hemp or bamboo.

The complementary natural building material clay is also the focus of attention.

The specialization on these building materials and their use in construction is intended to make a significant contribution to a sustainable building revolution.

In addition to new buildings, the existing building stock will also be explicitly addressed. A key goal is to preserve timber constructions in existing buildings, e.g. half-timbered houses or roof trusses, including the gray energy invested, and to make them usable for future generations.

The research group currently includes the Laboratory of Timber Engineering, the Research Group on Materials from Renewable Resources in Construction at the Laboratory of Timber Engineering and the field of Design and Climate-Friendly Construction.

Research projects in the field of renewable building materials and clay construction

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Leander Bathon, Laboratory of Timber Engineering

Prof. Dipl. Arch. ETH Sascha Luippold, Professorship of Design and Climate-Resilient Construction

Dr.-Ing. Oliver Bletz-Mühldorfer, Research Group on Materials from Renewable Resources in Construction at the Laboratory of Timber Engineering