Building innovation

Structural safety

The safety of buildings is a starting point. Unfortunately, safety is regularly compromised in various ways. TNO investigates damage in the event of a calamity, but also develops standards, design guidelines, monitoring systems and solutions for specific problems. An important theme is the seismic problem in Groningen, but TNO also works on foundation damage, standards for vibrations, risk-based fire safety and acts as an expert in emergencies.

Circularity and sustainable building materials

TNO has broad knowledge about the environmental impact and circularity of building materials. We are working to increase the circularity of specific building materials, including concrete, plaster and wood. Examples of specific innovations include the development of cold-baked bricks, switchable coatings and the reuse of wooden doors.

In the field of materials research, we pay specific attention to monuments and, in particular, to the degradation and repair of natural stone and masonry.

Computerisation and industrialisation

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is key to the transition from a document to a data driven industry. TNO has a long and rich history in the field of Building Information Modelling. Our tools, data standards and usage expertise have been the basis for many sustainable improvements in the industry.

Healthcare buildings

Choices made when designing and furnishing a building in which care has to be provided have major and long-lasting consequences. Consequences that are expressed in terms of safety, funding, patient and employee satisfaction and the ability to provide care as efficiently as possible. TNO can help you with these choices. Read more about this on the healthcare buildings pages.