Fraunhofer-Informationszentrum
Completed project
Background
The transfer of knowledge for affordable housing and innovative construction is hampered in practice by various factors, meaning that innovative and ecological construction cannot take place efficiently. On the one hand, the necessary cooperation partners change from construction project to construction project, making it difficult to establish long-term cooperative relationships that support the dissemination of knowledge. On the other hand, over the centuries, trades with their own areas of expertise have developed, which structurally complicate knowledge transfer.
Goal
The digital transfer platform project addresses the systemic barriers to knowledge transfer in the construction industry in Baden-Württemberg, which arise in particular from constant fluctuation in project teams, deeply rooted trade silos and a fragmented, locally bound corporate structure. The aim of the project is to establish a neutral and independent knowledge ecosystem that acts as a central foundation for innovation and creates transparency in the previously confusing landscape of providers and offerings. Fraunhofer IRB is contributing its expertise to this project in order to promote the exchange of best practices and interdisciplinary cooperation between builders, planners and tradespeople through the objective processing of information.
Technologically, the platform relies on a domain-specific data model and social network functions to enable long-term networking beyond individual construction sites. A key added value over conventional search engines lies in the curated database and the use of optional AI tools, such as chatbots or recommender systems, which minimise the amount of research required and suggest tailor-made solutions for affordable housing and sustainable construction. The platform thus serves as a strategic catalyst to increase the speed of innovation in the industry and to promote government goals for the transformation of the sector in a participatory manner.
Role of Fraunhofer IRB
The Fraunhofer Information Centre for Planning and Building IRB is responsible for the conceptual and operational preparatory work for the digital transfer platform within the project. With decades of expertise in the neutral processing of construction information, the institute conducts systematic research, data analysis, mapping and needs analyses to ensure a target group-oriented information architecture. Its core tasks include mapping the provider landscape, in which over 190 players have already been identified, and developing taxonomies for classifying transfer formats. In addition, Fraunhofer IRB prepares basic content such as best practice projects and promotes the participatory involvement of heterogeneous stakeholders through its active participation in working group 3.1 of the Strategiedialog Bau (SDB BW).
Results
The final report for the project is currently being prepared.
Funding Acknowledgement
Finanziert aus Landesmitteln, die der Landtag Baden-Württemberg beschlossen hat. Gefördert im Rahmen des Strategiedialogs »Bezahlbares Wohnen und innovatives Bauen«.