The construction industry is rapidly evolving to meet the demands of a growing population, urbanization, and climate change. With the built environment accounting for nearly 40% of global CO2 emissions, the need for sustainable and energy-efficient construction has become imperative. At the forefront of driving this change is Stichting Bouwresearch (SBR), the Netherlands’ leading construction research organization.
Introduction to Stichting Bouwresearch
Stichting Bouwresearch (SBR) is an independent foundation focused on research and innovation in the construction industry. Headquartered in Rotterdam, SBR was established in 1946 in response to the immense housing shortage and demand for reconstruction in the aftermath of World War II.
Over the past 75+ years, SBR has been instrumental in revolutionizing construction practices, materials, and technologies in the Netherlands. Its mission is to develop and apply new knowledge to make the built environment more sustainable, affordable, and innovative.
SBR collaborates extensively with the construction industry, government agencies, knowledge institutions, and non-profit organizations. Key partners include TU Delft, Eindhoven University of Technology, TNO, RVO, BNA, Neprom, Bouwend Nederland, and COBOUW.
Contributions to the Construction Industry
Stichting Bouwresearch has pioneered numerous innovations that have transformed the Dutch construction sector and influenced building practices worldwide.
Innovative Materials and Techniques
- Developed high-strength prefab concrete that enabled widespread use of prefabricated building systems
- Invented vibrocompaction technique for improving soft soil foundations
- Created alternative sustainable building materials like baked clay blocks and photocured concrete
- Promoted industrialized construction methods for enhanced quality, speed, and efficiency
Sustainable and Efficient Building Practices
- Introduced life cycle analysis and embodied energy calculation methods
- Formulated widely used climate design tools like Climate Coffer and Climatic Envelope
- Developed key eco-building certification schemes such as GPR Gebouw and BREEAM-NL
- Established guidelines and solutions to improve energy efficiency in buildings
Advancements in Construction Technology
- Pioneered 3D printing technology for construction in the 1990s
- Created innovative digital planning instruments like BIM Light and SBR Reference Details and Metadata
- Leads research into robotics, automation, and digital fabrication in construction
- Develops data standards and ontologies for seamless information exchange and transparency
Research and Development Activities
With over 70 years of experience, SBR has established itself as an authority in construction research. Its R&D activities are oriented towards three priority areas – technology, sustainability, and safety.
Focus on Technology, Sustainability, and Safety
- Technology: developing knowledge on innovative materials, industrialized construction, robotics, data exchange, digitization, etc.
- Sustainability: reducing environmental impact through energy efficiency, circularity, waste reduction, etc.
- Safety: improving occupational and structural safety, risk management, asset management, etc.
Notable Achievements and Projects
- Developed the innovative Individual Flat Decentralization (IFD) renovation concept
- Created a sulfur concrete recipe that traps CO2 emissions
- Designed and implemented the first 3D printed steel bridge in Amsterdam
- Leads the national BIM Loket initiative for open BIM standards
- Manages the online database Nationale Milieudatabase with LCA data
Ongoing Commitment to Sustainable Advancement
As a leading research organization, SBR continues to pioneer innovations that make the construction sector more advanced and sustainable. Ongoing R&D focuses on:
- Circular and biobased materials
- Robotics and automation
- Data and digitization
- Energy flexibility
- Lean and industrialized construction
This sustained commitment has positioned SBR at the helm of driving change through research.
Environmental Impact and Green Certification
SBR has played a defining role in steering the Dutch construction industry towards sustainability and energy efficiency.
Influence on Sustainable Construction
- Mainstreamed environmental LCA methods in construction
- Developed key eco-certification schemes like GPR Gebouw
- Formulated widely adopted climate design tools
- Published manuals and best practices for sustainable building
- Leads research into biobased materials, circular systems, etc.
Green Certification Methods in the Dutch Market
SBR pioneered the below rating systems that are now widely used in the Netherlands:
- GPR Gebouw: assesses sustainability of buildings on 5 metrics – Energy, Environment, Health, Quality of Use, and Future Value
- BREEAM-NL: Dutch version of BREEAM certificate for sustainable buildings
- MPG Calculation: assesses environmental impact of materials over the lifecycle
These schemes have made green certification mainstream and are used to rate thousands of buildings annually.
Compliance with Environmental Standards and Regulations
- SBR buildings comply with the highest sustainability classifications
- Its projects adhere to regulations like the Dutch Building Decree and Environmental Protection Act
- Ongoing research ensures construction practices evolve to meet European standards
- Life cycle analysis data supports environmental compliance and reporting
Case Studies and Projects
SBR has successfully implemented its innovative research across hundreds of field projects and demonstration sites.
Demonstration and Dissemination Projects
- The Green Village: a campus to demonstrate sustainable building innovations
- The Wave: innovative undulating mixed-use building made with bio-bricks
- 3D Printed Pedestrian Bridge: showcases possibilities of 3D printing in construction
Impact on Local Housing Policies and Energy Planning
SBR’s IFD renovation and Energiesprong concepts have transformed housing policies:
- IFD method enables affordable, deep renovation of apartment blocks
- Energiesprong promotes net-zero energy homes through retrofits
- Research data has informed municipal zoning laws and building codes
- Energy analysis guides local energy transition and district heating policies
IFD Technology for the Renovation of Apartment Buildings
The IFD renovation method developed by SBR upgrades apartment blocks by:
- Adding modular prefab units to existing buildings
- Decentralizing and renewing MEP systems flat-by-flat
- Improving insulation and airtightness dramatically
- Installing sustainable energy systems like heat pumps
- Optimizing construction process and limiting tenant disturbance
This concept enables deep renovation with minor tenant inconvenience. Over 50,000 homes have been transformed through IFD.
Future Outlook and Industry Impact
SBR is gearing up to lead the next wave of innovation in sustainable construction.
Anticipated Shift Towards Data-Driven Decision-Making
- SBR is pioneering data exchange platforms like SBR Data Services
- Open BIM standards will enable seamless information sharing
- Data analytics to optimize design, construction, and asset management
- Digital logbooks and meters to track building performance
Influence on Construction Industry Practices
- Mainstreaming sustainable materials like bioplastics and composites
- Promoting industrialized construction with automation and robotics
- Enabling circular building through flexible design and material passports
- Decarbonization through energy optimization, electrification, and on-site renewable energy
Continued Commitment to Innovation and Sustainability
As a leading research institute, SBR will continue to develop cutting-edge knowledge and technologies to transform the building sector. Its sustained efforts to make the built environment innovative, sustainable, and safe will be crucial in tackling global challenges like climate change, urbanization, and housing shortages.
Stichting Bouwresearch has been pioneering change in the construction industry for over seven decades through its tireless research and development. As expectations from the building sector continue to evolve, SBR is poised to lead the next wave of innovation in sustainable and digital construction in the Netherlands and globally.
Conclusion
Over its 75+ year history, Stichting Bouwresearch has cemented its position as a powerhouse of construction research and innovation in the Netherlands. Its pioneering of sustainable materials, energy-efficient building techniques, digital methods, and industrialized construction have transformed the Dutch building sector.
SBR’s research data and solutions have directly shaped national policies, regulations, and practices to make sustainability mainstream. Demonstration projects have proven the viability of innovations like 3D printing, robotics, and deep renovation methods.
As a respected authority, SBR continues to develop knowledge and technologies that drive advancement. Its commitment to pioneering research in service of society has made the built environment more sustainable, affordable, safe, and innovative. Stichting Bouwresearch’s legacy and leadership will be vital as the construction industry steps up to meet global challenges in the 21st century.
FAQs
Q: When was Stichting Bouwresearch established?
A: SBR was founded in 1946 to support post-war reconstruction efforts in the Netherlands.
Q: What is SBR’s mission?
A: Its mission is to develop and apply new knowledge to make the built environment more sustainable, affordable, safe, and innovative.
Q: What are some key innovations pioneered by SBR?
A: Major innovations include high-strength concrete, sustainable building materials, BREEAM certification, LCA methods, 3D printing, IFD renovation, etc.
Q: How has SBR influenced construction policies?
A: SBR data has directly shaped building codes, zoning laws, and renovation programs at municipal and national levels.
Q: What future technologies is SBR researching?
A: Ongoing R&D focuses on industrialized construction, circular systems, robotics, data exchange platforms, and more.
Q: How has SBR demonstrated its innovations?
A: Through real-world projects like the 3D printed bridge, The Green Village campus, IFD renovation, etc.
Q: Does SBR collaborate with other organizations?
A: Yes, extensively with industry, academia, government bodies, and non-profits across the Netherlands.