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We organise joint research projects with industry. Contract services and a wide ranging training and education programme for the wood and construction industry ensure that we maintain a close contact with the practicalities of everyday life.
 

Resarch and Development - Innovations with visions


Mission statement

 

 

Prof. René Graf
dipl. Ing. EPFL
Head of Division R+D

 

Facts and figures

History

1986: Establishment of R+D division

1991: Institutionalized project leads

1994: 1st international project „Gebohrtes Holz“ - (drilled wood)

1998: Systematic integration of R+D in the training programs

2003: Reorganisation of R+D division as part o the global reorganisation of the Architecture, Wood and Civil engineering of the Berne University of Applied Sciences (BUAS-AWCE)

2006: Our laboratories in Burgdorf are certificated to ISO/IEC 17025 standard and have SAS (Schweizerische Akkreditierungsstelle) accreditation. Tests performed in our laboratories are internationally recognised.

 

Organisation

The division consists of eight units

  • Architectural Processes
  • Management and Building Processes
  • Production and Logistics
  • Materials and Wood Technology
  • Timber and Composite Construction 
  • Facades, Finishing and Furniture
  • Natural Phenomena and Hydraulic Engineering
  • Geotechnics

      Division board

      Division responsible                  René Graf

      Substitute                                     Marc-André Gonin

       

       

      R+D Figures

       

      Employees 80
      Number of women 21
      Number of employees abroard 24
      Languages German, French, English, Italian
      Number of projects per form of financing:
      UAS-AWCE   21
      COST (European Cooperation in the field of Scientific an Technical Research)      13
      National environment department (BAFU)     4
      The innovation promotion agency CTI     4
      Holz21, Bafu project     2
      European Union EU      2  
      The Swiss National Science Foundation        1
      Others     3

       

      Services per area:

      Canton Berne     89
      Rest of Switzerland 137
      Foreign countries   21

       

      Number of projects per partner:

      Canton Berne     2
      Rest of Switzerland     7
      Foreign countries     2

                                                 

       Research for the markets

       
      Applied Research and Development

      Our research effort is dedicated to finding practical, innovative solutions to real problems on the factory floor and construction site. Applied research also means finding solutions quickly. This makes us the ideal partner for small- and medium-size enterprises (SME).

       

      Contract services

      We offer a complete range of contract services for industry. The services provided include product testing, planning, expertise and consultancy. Our specialists provide expert help with feasibility studies and product and production optimisation programmes.

       

      Accredited test laboratory

      Our laboratories are certificated to ISO/IEC 17025 standard and have SAS (Schweizerische Akkreditierungsstelle) accreditation. SAS is a member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). Tests performed in our laboratories are internationally recognised.

       

      Knowledge and Technology Transfer (WTT - KTT)

      Our training courses and educational programmes have a strong practical bias - this is our way of ensuring that the latest knowledge and technology get transferred into real, daily practice. The Bern University of Applied Sciences, Architecture, Wood and Construction is a member of the W6 Technology Transfer Consortium (www.whoch6.ch). We can call on the services of an expert KTT organisation to ensure that the latest technical knowledge and innovations are converted into everyday reality

       
      Contact R+D

      Bern University of Applied Sciences

      Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering
      Solothurnstrasse 102
      CH-2500 Biel
      Tel. + 41 32 344 03 41
      Fax +41 32 344 03 91

      E-Mail rd.ahb@bfh.ch