Building standards in Germany are high by European standards. Denmark and the Netherlands have long since developed more flexible building regulations, techniques and methods. But now the new building type E in Germany is set to bring about improvements and make building easier and cheaper.
The Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) has developed a new guideline and process recommendation for building type E with the aim of significantly promoting the construction of affordable housing. In doing so, the Ministry has taken up concepts and ideas from the Federal Chamber of Architects and the Federal Chamber of Engineers.
The "Guideline and process recommendation for building type E" is intended to support building owners and those involved in planning and construction in the implementation of "simple construction". Instructions for formulating agreements for architects' and construction contracts help to implement simple construction in practice with legal certainty. The guide is intended to encourage more creative and cost-effective planning and construction in future. The German government will now initiate the necessary amendments to the German Civil Code (BGB) in order to support simple and cost-effective construction under civil law.
Federal Building Minister Klara Geywitz commented: "Building must be made easier and cheaper again, without compromising on safety. Heinrich Bökamp, President of the Federal Chamber of Engineers, says: "Faster and more cost-effective construction, but guaranteeing safety: Building type E can give our planning professions the necessary legally compliant scope for design." And Andrea Gebhard, President of the Federal Chamber of Architects, emphasises: "The possibility of dispensing with unnecessary standards with the introduction of building type E can not only speed up construction and renovation processes, but also make them more cost-effective and resource-efficient.
The 70-page practical document provides information from the concrete intermediate ceiling to the socket and can be downloaded at www.bmwsb.bund.de/SharedDocs/downloads/Webs/BMWSB/DE/veroeffentlichungen/bauen/gebaeudetyp-e-leitlinie.pdf.
Photo: © Frank Magdelyns, Pixabay
