1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. School of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering
  3. Research + Consulting services
  4. Research areas
  5. Windows, Doors and Façades
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Windows, Doors and Façades

We work with you to develop and optimise products and systems in the areas of transparent façades, windows and doors.

Our activities focus on heat transfer measurements and calculations, anti-burglary protection, climatic testing and tests of vehicle components for public transport.

We are accredited to the international standard EN ISO 17025 and have a notified test lab for windows and doors (Notified Body NB 2172).

Forestry Research Institute of Ghana: Opening Ceremony

Institute for Timber Construction, Structures and Architecture IHTA

We conduct research into innovative, resource-conserving and energy-efficient buildings, and support you from the building design phase through to construction and redevelopment.

Selected Publications

Service portfolio

We deal with matters of construction, statics, building physics and production engineering in the area of the building envelope and its components. All orders are carried out by trained specialists from the relevant specialist field and treated with absolute discretion.
By arrangement, we can also carry out custom examinations specifically tailored to a company. They can also take place externally at the company and on construction sites.

Our services include:

  • Research projects commissioned by companies and institutions
  • Technology developments tailored to the size of the company (from micro-enterprises to industrial companies)
  • Support in applying for research funding from national and international funding organisations (including Innosuisse, FOEN, Horizon 2020, M-ERA.NET)
  • Testing services for windows, doors and closures
  • Testing services for the physical properties of components and materials
  • Test services for anti-burglary protection
  • Test services for vehicle components for public transport
  • Calculations and simulations for bonded glazing or window corner assemblies as well as static dimensioning of window and façade constructions
  • Consultancy and expert appraisals

We are heavily involved in teaching and continuing education. We supervise students’ projects and theses. We also frequently engage master’s students as assistants in research projects. In this way, we contribute to training the experts of the future.

We have connections with the following academic programmes and courses of continuing education:

We aim to transfer all non-confidential research into practice. To this end, we hold events and lectures, write specialist articles, conduct tours, organise workshops, and present our results at trade fairs.

Areas of expertise

Besides our areas of technical expertise, we are distinguished by our close connections to the industry, to standardisation organisations, public institutions, associations and international research networks.

Our areas of expertise in the area of doors, windows and façades include:

  • Component development and optimisation
  • Building physics
  • Statics
  • Glass in the building envelope
  • Bonded glazings
  • Personal safety

Institute for Timber Construction, Structures and Architecture IHTA

Windows, doors and façades are key areas of focus for the Institute for Timber Construction, Structures and Architecture IHTA. At the IHTA we focus on innovative, resource-saving and energy-efficient buildings. We support you from the design to the constructional implementation to the built environment. Other key areas of focus:

Infrastructure

We have access to laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment for the proficient handling of service and development orders, including:

  • Window and façade test stand
  • Differential climate chambers for façade elements up to 350x280cm, temperatures from -30°C to 80°C and relative humidity from 30% to 95%
  • Break-in test stand for window, door and façade elements as well as gates
  • Continuous function test bench for windows and doors
  • Alternating pressure test bench for glazing subject to high stress
  • Climatic chambers for components up to 7m long
  • Test bench with robot for complex motion sequences
  • Test bench for heat transfer measurements of windows, doors and frames (controlled heating box, “Hot Box procedure”)
  • Various weathering devices
  • Various tensile and compression testers

Contact

A wide range of opportunities for cooperation exists. We are pleased to provide information and look forward to hearing from you:

Urs Uehlinger

  • Kompetenzbereichsleiter
  • +41 32 344 03 94
  • Show e-mail