Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU)

The Competence Center Building Envelopes and Civil Engineering (CCGH+IB) at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), Switzerland, provides interdisciplinary expertise in application-oriented research, development, testing and consultancy for building envelopes and construction materials.

Its activities combine numerical simulation and standardised calculation methods with laboratory testing, in-situ measurements, inspections, prototype development and technical consultancy. The centre supports the development, assessment and validation of building-envelope components, systems and materials, with particular expertise in façade engineering, glass engineering, building physics, wind engineering and circular construction.

Facilities and capabilities

• Accredited testing of curtain wall systems, windows, doors, architectural glass, concrete and steel through a testing laboratory accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS) in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025
• In-situ testing, inspection and quality assessment of building-envelope components and systems
• Design for manufacturing, parametric design and prototype development for customised building-envelope solutions
• Specialised test rigs and assessment methods for green façades and vegetated building-envelope systems
• Glass engineering, testing and experimental validation of architectural glass, glass components and façade systems
• Building-physics assessments using numerical simulations, standardised calculation methods, laboratory testing and in-situ measurements
• Wind-load and wind-induced vibration assessments using CFD, wind-tunnel testing and experimental investigations
• Daylight measurement, simulation and optical characterisation of materials and components
• Characterisation and assessment of existing façade components for refurbishment and reuse
• Development of refurbishment, selective dismantling and reuse strategies for façade components