The German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) has presented the new digital network platform "myDGNB" to the public. The platform is aimed at architecture, engineering and planning offices, real estate and finance companies, construction companies, product manufacturers, local authorities, universities and all other interested parties. Via the platform, they have...

Scientists from the universities of Freiburg and Stuttgart presented a pavilion that was constructed using new, computer-aided methods and robotic manufacturing processes. According to the researchers, the construction of the "livMatS Biomimetic Shell @ FIT" pavilion in lightweight timber construction resulted in considerable resource savings compared to traditional timber construction. The...

Researchers have now achieved an electrical efficiency of 99.74 percent using heat pump technology. This was made possible by advances in power electronics, which have been specially developed for electrocalorics. According to the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF, the effect is as follows: if an electrocaloric material made of special materials is...

A review mechanism for foreign investments that prohibits the acquisition of regional companies classified as strategic by foreign groups is not compatible with European Union law. The European Court of Justice recently came to this conclusion (ECJ, C-106/22). In the case at hand, the Hungarian concrete element manufacturer Xella...

The "Celestial Look" makes it possible to bring the heavens into your own four walls. The look is characterized by star charts, depictions of the night sky and astrological symbols. These elements can set subtle accents as well as serve as striking eye-catchers and, according to the portal "brigitte.de", can be integrated into the living environment in a variety of ways. For the...

Satisfaction with the housing situation depends largely on home ownership. This is the result of a survey commissioned by immoverkauf24 and ImmoScout24. The survey shows that homeowners are happier with their homes than tenants. Gender also plays a role in this context: women who live in a home of their own feel particularly happy with their...

Additional costs can be incurred when building a house. This is described by a couple on the website "wirbaueneinhaus.info". The couple originally started with a cost forecast of around 730,000 euros in 2022. However, the actual expenses later increased by almost 54,000 euros. This was due to various miscalculated or unexpected costs. For example, the land charge fees increased to...

Zum Heizen und Kühlen kommt im Haus der Bayerischen Geschichte in Regensburg ein sogenanntes ThermWin-System der Firma Huber SE zum Einsatz, das Energie aus Abwasser zurückgewinnt. Das ThermWin-System funktioniert unter anderem mittels eines speziell entwickelten Abwasserwärmetauschers in Verbindung mit einer Wärmepumpe. Die Effizienz des Systems wird durch eine vollautomatische Selbstreinigung...

The Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main (OLG) recently ruled that restaurant owners cannot be held responsible for recognizable unevenness on their patio areas. In the case in question, a guest tripped on a natural stone terrace after leaving the toilet and injured himself. He sued for damages and compensation for pain and suffering. However, the...

Solid wood furniture is known for its stability, durability and aesthetics. However, its lasting beauty depends heavily on proper surface care. Three conventional methods of surface care - varnish, oil and wax - each offer unique advantages. According to the Initiative Pro Massivholz (IPM), it is crucial that the method suits both the taste of the buyer and the...