Building type E in research construction
E = simple or experimental
Building is becoming more and more complicated, slower and more expensive. It should be simpler, faster, cheaper and also more diverse in terms of architecture. This is why the Chamber of Architects initiated the new building type E.
Building despite the thicket of regulations
If you want to stick to all the rules - around 24,000 in total - innovations are hardly feasible. Planning and building takes place in an ever denser network of standards and regulations. These largely determine the technical implementation of buildings, but also their dimensions and equipment standards. In doing so, they drive comfort demands to perfectionist heights that have long since exceeded what is understandably necessary from the point of view of sufficiency. Almost all of the standards that must be complied with are of a private nature and become standard as so-called rules of technology. Compliance with them is therefore a prerequisite for a defect-free building, without this being absolutely necessary for reasons of static safety, for example. Over the decades, a set of rules made up of DIN standards, guidelines and labels has been established that mostly does not serve to ensure construction quality, but on the contrary represents an obstacle. The result is a new construction routine that, while adhering to standards, has inferior uniformity. A situation that is detrimental to any innovative power.
To address this dilemma, the Chamber of Architects initiated the new building type E, either as a simple or experimental construction. The Ministry of Justice has also submitted a draft law to promote building type- E. There is an urgent need for exemption from standards and guidelines in order to create planning freedom that also enables qualified professional groups to bring their professional expertise into the process through innovative thinking. This is the only way planners of all disciplines can build in a quality-oriented, sustainable and appropriate manner with an eye on the essentials. Expert builders are thus given the opportunity to work with the planners to define the standards they believe are necessary for the specific project and at the same time have the freedom to independently design the necessary weighing processes.
Building classes thought differently - building type E
In addition to the existing system in the building regulations, building projects can be assigned to building type "E", in the sense of "simple construction" or "experimental construction". The standards and guidelines mentioned in Section 85a of the Model Building Code (MBO) do not necessarily apply to these projects. In principle, the protection goals of the building regulations apply, see § 3 (more precisely in §§ 12-16) structural safety, fire protection, healthy living and environmental protection.
At the beginning of an "E" project, there is a careful, joint definition of the goals and qualities between the planner and the client, which are freely agreed upon but can be based on common standards. This list makes the properties of the building permanently transparent. The visible marking of the new "E" building types makes it clear that this is a building that can deviate from common standards without, however, disregarding the protection goals of the building regulations.
The reduced set of rules enables clients and planners to coordinate standards, materials and construction details in such a way that sensible and sustainable buildings are created at affordable costs. In addition to the joint definition of goals, sustainability also includes good design and coordination with user needs.
The "E" building type does not cause uncertainty, as the existing system is not changed. This is simply enriched with an additional planning path, thus opening up a new spectrum of possibilities. Actual (implemented) deviations can be named and explained to users.
Advantage for the renovation of existing buildings
Especially in the case of existing buildings, the use of building type E would often mean that the renovation remains economical and the building can be preserved in terms of sustainability. In order to investigate the extent to which building type E can be used in research buildings, the MPG is setting up two pilot projects:
- Expansion of the MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig
- Renovation of the MPI for Geoanthropology, Jena