Construction industry

Building owners in Germany are to be able to submit their building applications digitally this year. Felix Pakleppa, Managing Director of the German Construction Industry Association (ZDB), welcomes this development. However, he is calling for mandatory guidelines. By the end of 2023, more than half of the lower building supervisory authorities are to go digital, according to the Federal Building Ministry. "That is...

The proposals for changes to the construction contract law of the German Civil Code (BGB) have met with resistance from the construction industry. The core of these proposed amendments concerns the possibility for clients to independently change contractually agreed services. The construction trade and construction industry associations reject the abolition of the attempt to reach an agreement before such an amendment...

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has a direct impact on spatial development in Germany and Europe. It has an impact on the supply of energy and raw materials and raises questions about the resilience of settlement structures and the protection of critical infrastructure. In its current issue, the specialist journal IzR of the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR)...

A bio-inspired microphone that could revolutionize speech recognition in smart home applications has recently been developed by Ilmenau University of Technology together with research partners. The microphone mimics the human ear and thus improves speech recognition in noisy environments. This technology could enable complete acoustic systems consisting of a microphone and speech recognition to...

The consumer advice center warns against a scam via e-mail regarding an alleged subsidy program of the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). The KfW does indeed offer funding programs, but not an "inflation protection funding program". Criminals have written a corresponding e-mail with the KfW logo. Their aim is to obtain personal data. In the e-mail...

The energy quality of buildings will have a greater influence on the purchase price of real estate in the future than in the past. This is the opinion of 90 percent of 240 experts from various sectors of the real estate market who took part in an online survey conducted by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR). The purchase prices depend on the type of construction, thermal insulation and...

Phil Niemeyer, Felix Roder and Niklas Haschke, all graduates of Bauhaus-Universität Weimer, were successful in the nationwide "Built on IT" competition. The competition is about finding innovative digital solutions in the construction industry. The award-winning works deal with current challenges in the construction industry, such as cost-effective construction, digitalization and...

The winners of the "Häuser-Awards 2023" of the architecture magazine "Häuser" for individual solutions in existing buildings have been announced. First place goes to Berlin architect Thomas Kröger (Thomas Kröger Architekten) for the "Haus in den Söllen" in the Uckermark - a country house with a rendered façade. Second place goes to the DMVA office from Mechelen for the "Haus PVO" in the...

Colored photovoltaic modules can now not only be a visual highlight, but also offer high efficiency. To this end, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has developed a new technology, MorphoColor® technology. This makes it possible to color PV modules in different colors without significantly reducing the efficiency of the module, as was previously the case.

In order to save as many costs as possible, PDS Bank Nord advises builders to plan well and provides them with tips. For example, builders should make sure that the plot is already developed when they buy it. Otherwise, the costs for utilities, sewage and cable lines will be added to the price. Builders can also save costs if they only build a house with the...