To integrate or not to integrate?

Optimal interaction between building envelope and structure and building systems is a key aspect in realising sustainable buildings. Achieving this requires a holistic, integrative approach whose practical implementation raises various questions. The new Foe professorship on "Integrated Building Systems" is going to deal with such questions within the framework of interfaculty research. Today, building systems are important for various reasons. They account for up to 40 percent of the total investment costs of a building, depending on their complexity. 40 percent of operating costs can be influenced by building system design. Approximately 40 percent of the EU final energy consumption can be attributed to buildings; the efficiency of utilizing this energy strongly depends on building systems.