Building Physics and Sustainable Design

The research group Building Physics and Sustainable Design at Ghent Campus was created in 2008. The research can be grouped into 4 research lines:

1. Energy performance and indoor climate (SDG 7, 13): Interaction building and HVAC systems: studies the interaction between characteristics, use, energy performance and indoor climate of buildings on the one hand and the choice, design, operation and performances of innovative HVAC systems and lighting on the other hand.
2. Technology of renewable construction materials (SDG 12): timber construction and use of organic fibres: investigates sustainability and durability of structures made from timber, bamboo and wood-based products as well as insulation materials made from natural fibres.
3. Community scale sustainability & sustainable development (SDG 1, 3, 11): social and ecological sustainability of buildings and communities: focusses on assessment and certification of social sustainability and zero carbon emissions on buidings, community and regional scale.
4. Methods for holistic design, construction and operation of high performance buildings
   • Circular bio-based construction industry (SDG 9, 12)
   • Life cycle analysis (SDG 12): calculates the environmental impact of materials, products, or buildings, by taking into account the complete life cycle (production, transport, construction, use, deconstruction, waste processing and benefits from recycling/reuse) and each phase's impact on ecosystem and human health, in order to identify and compare the sustainability of the studied object.
   • Building Information Modelling - Improved process management: develops, improves and implements BIM-based workflows for all life-cycle stages of buildings
   • Commissioning, building management and monitoring

The research is situated on different levels: building materials and components, whole buildings and neighbourhood or region level. Strong synergy between these 4 lines exist. International research collaboration is set up within the framework of Interreg and the International Energy Agency’s Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme. Building Physics and Sustainable Design research group has an extensive network consisting of Flemish KMO’s, research centres, government agencies and sector organizations.

The research is supported by the availability of 2 adequate and high level research facility.