1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. Research + Consulting services
  3. Research areas
  4. Institute for Timber Construction, Structures and Architecture IHTA
  5. About us
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About us

We bring together the outstanding, practice-oriented expertise of our staff within individual and interdisciplinary teams for our customers and research partners. Research at the institute is undertaken by specialists from the fields of timber and construction engineering, architecture and the economic sciences. The institute is the only one of its kind in Switzerland to combine architecture and construction and timber engineering under one roof.

Organisation

The Institute for Timber Construction, Structures and Architecture is one of the four institutes in the Department of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering at Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH. The institutes are unique in terms of their outlook as they encompass the material, the buildings, the built environment and the company along with its processes:

 

The Institute for Timber Construction, Structures and Architecture consists of four areas of expertise:

  • Structural and earthquake engineering – Martin Geiser

  • Fire safety and building physics – Christof Renfer

  • Windows, doors and façades – Urs Uehlinger

  • Timber construction, the built environment and historic preservation – Martin Geiser

 

We also work closely with the following divisions:

Employees

Partnerships

Our research teams develop scientifically rigorous solutions to real-world problems. This requires close cooperation with our partners and a deep understanding of their needs. We therefore cultivate close contacts with SMEs and the public sector. We are also active in national and international committees.

Our partners include businesses and institutions across the entire construction industry value chain.

National and international committees

  • Wissenschaftlich-Technische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Bauwerkserhaltung und Denkmalpflege e. V. (WTA)
  • VSS standardisation and research committee NFK 3.10: Andreas Müller
  • Sicheres Wohnen Schweiz (Safe Living Switzerland). Crime prevention
  • VKF: Testing committee
  • Specialist audit team for window construction block courses (BFH-FFF courses)
  • VSS standardisation and research committee NFK 3.10
  • SIA working group, fact sheet 2052, ultra high performance fibre-reinforced concrete
  • SIA 343 doors and gates
  • Minergie module windows certification committee
  • FFF technical committee
  • Swiss energy label for windows
  • FFF labelling committee
  • ARGE standardisation, doors (representation of EN standard for doors in CH)
  • CEN TC 33 windows, doors, shutters, building hardware and curtain walling, WG1 windows and doors
  • CEN TC 33 windows, doors, shutters, building hardware and curtain walling, WG7 burglar resistance
  • BK33 CH advisory group (mirror group for CEN TC33)
  • Notified Bodies mirror group, Switzerland
  • DIN CERTCO, break-in prevention interest group
  • FFF education committee
  • Specialist audit team for window construction block courses (BFH-FFF courses)
  • SIA 265 standard commission
  • Mirror committee for TC124, Switzerland
  • Technical Committee Timber Standards TC124/WG3 (SIA 265 member)
  • Technical Committee Timber Standards TC124/WG1 (SIA 265 member) Specialist audit team for window construction block courses (BFH-FFF courses)