NBSIR 73-288

Swiss Building and Housing

Researcti Activities

H. R. Trechsel

Center for Building Technology

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C. 20234

August 1973

Final

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS
I
NBSIR 73-288

SWISS BUILDING AND HOUSING

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

H. R. Trechsel

Center for Building Technology

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C. 20234

August 1973

Final

U. S. DEPARTMEI^T OF COMMERCE, Frederick B. Dent. Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS. Richard W. Roberts, Director

PREFACE

Although international cooperation is well established in most

areas of traditional sciences, such cooperation in the field of building

technology was organized only recently beyond occasional and uncoordinated

study trips and participation in international conferences. To date, the

Center for Building Technology has established formal cooperative research

programs with England, France, and Japan. These programs have so far proven

mutually advantageous and an expansion of this type of activity appears

justified.

This report discusses the results of meetings held in Switzerland

with the objective to identify various Swiss building research organizations

and to survey building research activities. Based on these results and on further discussions with Swiss authorities during their planned visit to

CBT, the possibility and nature of a cooperative program with Switzerland

will be considered.

The author wishes to acknowledge the most cordial reception he received

from all the Swiss organizations and their representatives. In particular,

the help and assistance of Professor J. W. Huber, President, and Dr. G.

Koehn, Secretary, of the Swiss Federal Commission for Housing Research (FKW)

and of Dr. G. Grin, Science Councelor at the Swiss Embassy in Washington,

D. C, is greatly appreciated. It was only thanks to the combined efforts

of all the Swiss authorities involved that the visit was not only professionally successful, but also personally rewarding.

iii
Contents

Page

1. Introduction 1

2. Building, Research, Regulation, and Education 3

2.1. Building Activity 3

2.2. Organization of Building Research 5

2.3. The Building Regulatory System 8

2.4. Education 12

3. Building Research Organizations 15

3.1. Forschungskommission Wohnungsbau (FKW) . 15

3.2. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology - Zurich (ETH-Z) 17

3.3. Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EFF-L) 23

3.4. Eidgenoessische Materialspruefungs-und Versuchsanstalt

fuer Industrie, Bauwesen und Gewerbe (EMPA) 27

3.5. Schweizerisches Institut fuer Aussenwirtschaf ts

,

Struktur, und Marktf orschung 30

3.6. Schweizerischer Ingenieur und Architekten

Verein (SIA) 31

3.7. Schweizerische Zentralstelle fuer Baurationalisierung

(CRB) 32

3.8. Institut fuer Bauberatung 32

3.9. Baudata Systematik (BDS) 33

3.10. Battelle Memorial Institute - Geneva 33

3.11. U. Hettich, Architect 34

3.12. Mr. H. Litz, Architect 35

3.13. Suter & Suter, Architects 35

iv
Contents

Page

3.14. Edward Heifer, Architect 36

3.15. Ernst Goehner AG 37

3.16. Karl Steiner General Contractors 38

3.17. Planning Bureau of the City of Berne 39

3.18. Delegation du Logement du Canton de Geneve 39

4. Building Research Projects 41

4.1. Building Economics 42

4.2. Modular Coordination 45

4.3. Evaluation of Proposed Housing Projects 46

4.4. Evaluation of Proposed Research Projects 46

4.5. Building Design 47

4.6. Land Use and Planning 47

4.7. Feedback 48

4.8. Design Management 48

4.9. Building Accoustics 49

4.10. Testing and Certification 49

4.11. Transportation 50

4.12. Building Laws and Codes . 50

4.13. Legal Aspects of Rental Housing . 51

4.14. Organization of Building Research 51

4.15. Literature and Documentation , 53

5. Suiranary and Discussion 53

Appendix 1 54

Appendix 2 56

V

SWISS BUILDING AND HOUSING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Heinz R. Trechsel

Following up earlier contacts of Center for Building

Technology (CBT) itfanagement with representatives of Swiss

building research organizations, the author visited Switzerland

in the Fall of 1972 for two weeks.

This report discusses the results of meetings with

representatives of the Swiss Federal Commission for Housing

Research (FKW) , major educational and research establishments,

architects, contractors, builders, and local building officials.

Topics covered in the discussions included building economics,

modular coordination, pre-evaluation of performance of housing

projects, pre-evaluation of research projects, building design,

land use and planning, transportation, and building laws, codes,

and standards.

It appears that cooperative programs in any or all of these

areas could be profitable to the National Bureau of Standards

(NBS) , and to the corresponding Swiss organizations.

Key words: Building research; buildings; cooperation; housing;

international; Switzerland.

1. INTRODUCTION

As a result of a suggestion by the Embassy of Switzerland in

Washington, D. C. Dr. J. R. Wright, then Director of the Building Research

Division, Institute for Applied Technology (lAT) , NBS, visited Switzerland

in 1970 for a two-day study of Swiss building research activities.

Dr. Wright found that sufficient areas of mutual interest exist to justify

the establishment of a cooperative effort in building research between

NBS and appropriate Swiss organizations.

In preparation for such a cooperative program, the author followed

up Dr. Wright's visit for a two-week in-depth study of Swiss organizations and programs relevant to building research; met with various organizations and individuals, and assembled information and data on building and

housing research activities. The program for the visit was developed by

Professor J. W. Huber, President of the Swiss Federal Commission for

Housing Research. This program included visits to organizations and

individuals active in research, planning, education, design, production,

testing, and in the building regulatory field.

The primary objective of the visit was to survey the present building

research activities and organizations in Switzerland. As a secondary

objective, the building and housing construction activity in general

was also briefly investigated.

1
It is planned that this investigator's visit to Switzerland be

followed by a visit of a representative of the Swiss building and

housing research establishment to NBS. At that time, the details and

scope of a cooperative program between appropriate U. S. and Swiss

organizations can be developed.

This report is divided into five broad categories:

1. Introduction

2. Building, Research, Regulation* and Education

3. Building Research Organizations

4. Building Research Projects

5. Summary and Discussion

This division necessitated some duplication of information; however,

it is believed that this is justified in the interest of greater clarity.

The organizations visited and persons interviewed are principally

active or interested in the "software" aspects of housing design, planning,

and construction. Since NBS and CBT have interests also in the "hardware"

aspects and in building research other than housing, the information gained

during the visits was supplemented by studying the literature collected.

Although this report still reflects a strong emphasis on those research

areas investigated in person to person interviews, the results of the

literature survey are also included. It is thus believed that the information presented constitutes an accurate state-of-the-art of Swiss building

research activity in 1972.

The itinerary of the visit to Switzerland, the names and addresses

of the organizations visited, and the names of the principal contacts

are listed in the appendixes on Pages 54 through 58.

This investigator has received many offers for future cooperation.

The warm reception received indicates a very broad basis for a cooperative

building research effort by appropriate American organizations with Swiss

agencies.

2
2. BUILDING, RESEARCH, REGULATION, AND EDUCATION

2.1. Building Activity

In any discussion of Swiss building activity it is useful to note

the scale of the country. In the following table some comparative

statistics are given for reference. The numbers for the U. S. are given

in parenthesis.

Density

Population

per Square

Mile

Population (1970) 6,300,000 (203,000,000)

Total Area 16,000 ^ ( 3,500,000) 395 (57.5)

Uninhabitable area 7,100 (NA) 0 (NA)

Inhabitable area 8,900 M^^ (NA) 710 (NA)

NA - Not available or not comparable.

- Square Mile

(Uninhabitable areas include lakes, rivers, glaciers, deserts, and

other areas only seasonally inhabited.)

The current building activity is under the influence of three major

factors

continued high demand

shortage of land

shortage of labor

The combined result of these factors are strong inflationary pressures;

in 1972, building costs are reported to have increased at a rate of approximately 10 percent per annum, and predictions for 1973 run as high as 15

percent.

The high demand has taken its beginning with the end of World War II,

during which building construction had been all but halted. General post- war affluence, the drop in average household size (from 4 to 2.5 within 25

years) , and increase in population of almost 50 percent over the last 25

years have all contributed to maintain a high demand for new housing despite

very high building activity in the past years.

Not only is Switzerland one of the most densely populated countries in

Europe, but also large areas are unsuitable for development. Furthermore,

the country is pursuing a deliberate policy to maintain a viable agricultural

base, both for socio-political and for defense reasons, and various means

have been used in the past to discourage the conversion of agricultural

land into other uses, such as housing. Legislation now in preparation

attempts to regulate future land use on the federal level to prevent land

speculation and to make available suitable development land for the orderly

growth required.

3
Up to the mid-1960 's almost unlimited immigration of foreign labor

was encouraged to ease the shortage of labor. Since then, some restrictions were put into effect. Although the most obvious shortage is in

production labor, similar shortages are to be found in the entire construction industry, including drafting, design, and supervisory personnel. The

acuteness of the labor shortage can be judged by the fact that most efforts

in the area of building research appear not so much directed towards total

cost savings, but towards construction labor savings on the one hand, and

the increase of the "livability" or "quality" on the other.

Although it is difficult to generalize, the cost level of housing

construction can be measured by the following average unit cost figures;

(1) Average housing unit costs are the equivalent of approximately

$80,000. In terms of income, the cost of a housing unit is considered

"normal" if it is in the range of 5 to 6 times the annual salary. Developed

land for residential construction (suburban location) costs approximately

SFR 300 per square meter or $400,000 per acre; building construction cost

averages SFR 300 per cubic meter or approximately $80 per square foot.

(2) Rental costs, on the other hand, are more similar to American

conditions in metropolitan areas: approximately $200 per month per living

unit or 20 percent of salary.

From these figures it is obvious that home ownership in Switzerland is

a luxury enjoyed only by those with above average incomes.

The various authorities interviewed appeared to agree that, barring a major economic recession or some serious political problems, the inflationary pressures in the construction sector are expected to continue.

However, two developments are looked to for some prospect of relief:

(1) A substantial increase in productivity due to the possible

success of present and future building research activities.

(2) The anticipated limited cooperation between Switzerland and the

European Economic Community (EEC) which would open up the Swiss construction

market to foreign contractors. It is expected that the advent of foreign

competition would greatly influence the construction industry. This view

was, interestingly, expressed by contracting industry representatives.

To this observer who had not been in close contact with the Swiss

building construction industry for some twenty years, the most impressive

change was in the scale of housing projects. Not only have high-rise

structures (10 stories and up) gained full acceptance, but the size of

single housing projects today are often very substantial. For example,

in the City of Bern, with a total population of only approximately 165,000,

single housing developments of up to 3000 units have been constructed

recently. Although developments of this scale are not unusual in the

U. S., they are only to be found within the major metropolitan areas.

4
Another major aspect is the very extensive planning activity associated

with these projects. The integration of the required infrastructure

(schools, kindergartens, shopping, and recreational facilities) seems

to be successful and a direct result of the apparently close cooperation

of the public and private sectors during all stages of design and con- struction.

A discussion of Swiss building activity would be incomplete without

the mention of the position of the architect in the process of building

construction, and of the method of contract administration. Although the

most important activity of the architect is of course the development of

building designs and the preparation of contract documents, the architect

is generally also responsible for the construction administration and site

supervision. Generally, separate contracts are let for each trade, the

number of contracts usually being approximately 20, but not infrequently

being as high as 50 in large and complex projects. The contracts normally

are not based on a lump sum, but on unit prices for specific positions,

such as, for example, a square meter of flooring, or a line foot of

electrical conduit. This system has the advantages that (1) quantity

surveys have to be made only once and by the architect, reducing the

contractor's overhead since he is not required to perform this task,

and (2) bidding can take place before a complete set of contract documents is available, since minor changes in dimensions are not changing

the basic contract provisions (although they do affect, of course, the

final cost to the owner). The disadvantages of this system of bidding

appear to be (1) the need to determine, usually by on-site quantity

survey after construction, the actual quantities provided by the contractor, and (2) the fact that final construction cost are not known

until after construction is completed and surveyed. The system is similar

to the modern U. S. concept of construction management, but it is interesting to note that at the same time construction management is becoming more

widely used in this country, the concept of general contracting is finding

growing application in Switzerland.

2.2. Organization of Building Research

It appears that in Switzerland the terms "building" or "housing"

research always means those research activities which are exclusively

related to the building and its use, rather than to the more specific

research areas such as structural design or strength of materials;

such research being applicable also to structures other than buildings.

Although an effort was made to collect some data on these other research

areas, this investigator's contacts all were in the area of building and

housing research as defined by Swiss usage. Accordingly, the chart shown

in Figure 1 shows only the organization as it affects housing research.

The chart shows that all aspects of housing at the federal level are reporting through a "delegate" directly to the Federal Council, the

5
highest executive body in Switzerland. It further shows that the Federal

Commission for Housing Research (FKW) is placed at the same level as the

Bureau for Housing Construction which is responsible for all federal

subsidy programs and corresponds to HUD in the U. S. The Housing Commission is a third body at this level and is responsible for the political

aspects of housing and community development activities.

The Federal Commission for Housing Research (FKW) does not do any

research work itself but has substantial funds available for contracting out

research projects. The organizations which conduct the research under

contract to FKW are many and of varied backgrounds. They include the

research institutes attached to both Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology

(ETH-Z and ETH-L) , private research organizations, practicing architects,

and ad-hoc groups formed specially for the duration of a particular

research project. This report on Swiss building research activities is

based on visits mainly to such research organizations under contract to

FKW.

6
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7
2.3. The Building Regulatory System

As was shown above under "Building Activity" , the population density

on the inhabitable land area of Switzerland is extremely high. This

density has led to a building regulatory system concerned not only with

the construction features of single buildings, but also with planning

aspects and with the relationship of buildings and/or developments to

each other and to the general population.

General legal principles in Switzerland appear to hold owner, architect, engineer, and contractor responsible and liable for any building

related accident, irrespective of whether or not such accident was

caused through the negligence of the owner, architect, etc. So as not

to diminish this responsibility, laws, regulations, and codes are held

largely in general terms, referring simply to "good engineering practices"

Detailed codes would be considered implying at least a partial responsibility by the Government for the performance of individuals connected

with building activities. Instead, the Government agencies perform

essentially a policing function (they are also called "building police").

Fire protective aspects are considered independent of the building

regulatory process. Their regulation differs from state to state and

is tied-in with the fire insurance requirements. Unlike the general

building regulations, the fire protection aspects are mostly regulated

by the canton (state). There do exist "Guidelines" issued by the "Associa

tion of Swiss Cantonal Insurance Companies" (Vereinigung der Kantonalen

Feuerversicherungen) . These "Guidelines" (Wegleitungen) have no legal

standing, but are used by many cantonal agencies as a model for their own regulations.

The three political levels: federal, cantonal (state) and county

all share in the total building regulatory activity as discussed below.

a. Laws, Regulations, and Codes

The federal authority is limited to special aspects of building

activities, such as in the areas of: land use, zoning, and building-lines

in connection with federal highway construction; promotion of housing

construction; and rehabilitation of housing in mountain regions. In

addition, federal regulations govern building related activities of

civil defense, accident prevention and employment, electrical installations, and water pollution.

Because of the limited authority of federal agencies, the building

regulatory activity is concentrated in general in the cantons (states)

.

However, the conditions within the various states vary in three major

categories

.

8
A first variation is in the division of the respective responsibilities

between canton and county. For example, whereas in the Cantons Basle-Stadt

and Geneva, the entire building regulations are handled on the cantonal

level, in some of the more rural states cantonal law merely authorizes

the counties to regulate building activities within their jurisdictions.

Between these two extremes, any division of responsibilities between

states and counties can be found,

A second variation exists in the intensity of the regulatory activity.

The degree of detail covered by the building regulations varies very substantially between single cantons and between counties, even within the same canton.

Finally, there exist differences in the technical content of building

regulations, although such differences do not appear to be as great as could be expected, because for some of the technical aspects the codes,

or the norms of the Swiss Engineers and Architects Association (S.I. A.) are generally recognized and are referenced in appropriate sections of the

regulations. Also, it is a fairly common practice for counties to seek the

advice of the canton in technical matters and this tends to increase the

uniformity at least within the canton.

The building regulatory laws can be divided into three parts, related

to planning, development, and building construction.

b. Planning

In this context, planning is the predetermination of zones for land use including use density. It can be national, regional, cantonal, or communal in scope. Most authority for planning is currently at the

cantonal level, although the Federal Government has recently acquired

legal means to act in specified planning related questions. Within their

jurisdiction, the counties also have some planning authority.

A new federal law enacted on March 17, 1972, as a temporary urgent

ordinance, requires the cantons to act in the planning field by excluding

certain areas from future development. The criterion for these areas

are given in the legislation as follows:

(1) River banks and lake fronts,

(2) Landscapes of particular beauty and singularity.

(3) Cityscapes, villages, historical places, natural and artistic

memorials, etc., of national or regional importance.

(4) Recreational spaces.

9
(5) Areas which are known to be endangered by natural forces.

While the federal law mandates the cantons to designate areas based

on the above criteria, the cantons themselves are responsible for the

selection of the areas. Furthermore, the law specifically empowers

the cantons to designate additional areas exempted from development

if such exemption is needed to safeguard future planning options.

A permanent ordinance relating to planning activities is pending

in the legislature. This law is designed to incorporate the provisions

of the temporary urgent measures of March, 1972, into the permanent body

of law, and to provide the detailed legal basis for an extensive new

planning policy. An integral part of the pending legislation is a system for compensating owners of land which can not be developed, and

a heavy taxation of profits realized from the sale of land opened for

development.

Active both for the Federal Government and for the canton is the

"Institut fuer Orts, Regional, und Landesplanung" (ORL) . It is this

Institute which, under contract and in cooperation with the cantonal

governments, will in fact largely select the areas to be "permanently"

excluded from further development.

c. Development

The term "development" as used here means all those regulations

which deal with the transition from one land-use to another, such as when agricultural land is developed for housing. Included are the

laws governing the construction of roads and other items of infrastructure,

as well as some aspects of eminent domain and private real-estate property

rights. Although federal laws do regulate specific aspects of this area,

cantonal laws in general are governing. County authority is limited.

d. Building Construction

This is the area dealing with single building constructions, their

parts, and components. Again, the regulation of this area is generally

divided among all three authorities: federal, cantonal and local.

The federal activity is limited to certain aspects in the area of

housing construction through a form of "minimum and maximum property

standards" for subsidized constructions, and in the other areas mentioned

earlier. All other aspects are either under cantonal or local jurisdiction

as applicable within any specific state.

e. Content

While in the U. S. building regulatory activity traditionally is

concerned only with safety to life, health, and property, Swiss building

10
regulatory concerns include general environmental aspects. Among these

are aesthetics and architectural design, protection of significant

natural and historical landmarks, provisions for building access by

invalids, pollution control, planning and zoning, and requirements for

the provision of playgrounds. It is interesting to note that for example

the Bernese Cantonal Building Law does not even mention health and safety

as related to construction activities, and in the applicable Building

Ordinance (or Rules and Regulations) of the same state, construction

related building safety, including special provisions for high-rise

buildings are contained in only 14 of a total of 61 pages. From the

discussions and a study of obtained literature, including a few laws

and ordinances, it appears that the Swiss building regulatory activity

is largely concerned with areas of direct common or public concern, that

is with those aspects which affect the population as a whole and the

neighbors, and not primarily with those aspects which affect the safety

of the occupants of the buildings.

Although the ordinance mentioned above (for the Canton of Bern)

does give some specific requirements (for example, minimum exit widths),

such specific requirements are rare. Instead, the ordinance requires

that "for all constructions recognized engineering principles must be

followed", and refers to guidelines and codes developed and published

by such organizations as the Swiss Accident Insurance Association (SUVA)

,

the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects (SIA) , and to other regulations governing specific areas such as electrical and gas installations.

f. Enforcement

Three aspects of Swiss building regulation enforcement policy seem interesting and in contrast to U. S. usage.

First, where the cantonal building laws are preemptive (such as in

the Canton of Bern) , the canton generally delegates the enforcement of

its laws and ordinances to the municipalities, maintaining a sort of

monitoring activity only. However, the canton may reserve the right to

enforce its laws if the municipality does not do so. In such cases,

the municipality must reimburse the canton for its activity. In addition

to enforcing the cantonal laws and regulations, the municipality and its

"building police" may also enforce their own regulations within their

jurisdiction, if such local ordinances are mandated by the canton.

Second, "enforcement" of building regulations in Switzerland does

not normally include a full plan check and exhaustive inspections. In

keeping with general legal principles, the designer, builder, and owner

are presumed to follow the regulations and codes, and only spot checks

are made by the agency. However, plans must be submitted to the agency

for open inspection by the public; and owners of neighboring properties

or other interested parties must be advised either by newspaper advertisements or by direct letter of planned constructions. It is then assumed

11
that the neighbor checks the plans for possible violations to his

detriment, and that he notifies the agency accordingly.

Thirdly, by requiring that all work must be performed by licensed

contractors, it is believed that a high degree of compliance with the

regulations and with the appropriate codes is ensured.

g. Responsibility

The regulatory activity was discussed with representatives of city and

cantonal agencies. They stated flatly that the responsibility for safe

buildings and for meeting the laws, regulations, and codes, rests solely

with the owners, designers, and contractors, and that a complete plan

check and thorough inspections by the agency or its representative would

in fact dilute the owner's responsibility and establish the agency's

co-responsibility. As proof of the workability of the Swiss system

they cited the fact that failures or serious code related accidents

are practically unheard of.

h. Evaluation by Architects and Contractors

The general area of codes and regulations was discussed with representatives of contractors, housing producers, and architects. None of

them appeared to be overly concerned with the subject, except that they

expressed strong support for greater uniformity. Two architects, in

answer to a direct question, stated that they could not think of any

instance in which codes influenced their designs or constructions, and

that the existence of codes does not influence construction costs.

2.4. Education

Essentially, there are three educational levels in building construction activities available in Switzerland:.

a. Draftsmen and Craftsmen

Preparation for these occupations consists of a total of 8 to 10

years of primary or secondary education, an apprenticeship of three to

four years, and part-time schooling during the entire apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship program is very well organized and institutionalized.

The part-time schooling is rigorous and includes both a continuing education in general subjects and specialized training and education. After

completion of his apprenticeship a draftsman, mason, carpenter, etc., is

expected to essentially know all facets of his trade and in addition to

have a reasonable familiarity with related subjects. He is generally at

a level where he can be given a task within his field of competency and

perform all necessary work without further technical supervision or instruction.

12
b. "Techniker"

The literal translation of "technician" does not accurately define

this educational level.

In general, a "Techniker" has to have completed a full apprentice

program and have some practical experience before entering a so-called

"Technlkum". The "Technikum" is a cantonal (state) or private three

to four year educational institution in which the future "Techniker"

is given the full theoretical and practical education to solve all

typical engineering problems within his trade area. Public "Technikums"

generally are full-time schools, while several private "Technikums"

offer part-time evening study programs. Although the degree of "Techniker"

is similar to the bachelor degree in America, the training is much more

directed toward the practical aspects of a technical specialty, and his

general studies are limited. A "Techniker" can not normally enter directly

a graduate program at a higher institution of learning. In the field of

architecture, many "technikers" have been successful as practitioning

architects

.

"Technikers" are often found in such positions as office chiefs,

project managers, and construction superintendents of even large projects.

They are employed by small and large contracting firms and by building

regulatory agencies. "Technikers", on the other hand, are seldom employed

by research organizations.

In recent years "Technikers" are increasingly using the titles

"Architect" or "Engineer". This usage is legal and is in line with the

terminology used in other European countries.

There does exist today in Switzerland a school for construction

superintendents. It is located in Soloturn, but this investigator has

had no contact to get additional information, neither in regard to prerequisites nor to curriculum. However, it appears that this school would

essentially be at the "Technikum" level.

c. Architects and Engineers

At the college or university level, the two Federal Institutes of

Technology in Zurich (ETH-Z) and Lausanne (EPF-L) are the only engineering

and architecture schools in existance in Switzerland. They both are fulltime day schools.

The prerequisite for all courses at these schools is the successful

completion of the "gymnasium", a school that branches off from the primary

school after the fourth or fifth year, and continues through grade thirteen.

The "gymnasium" is strictly a college preparatory school and the final exam

is called "Maturitaet" (in the German speaking part) and "Baccalaureate"

in the French speaking part of the country.

13
Both architectural and engineering studies generally follow a "norm study plan" in which few options are open to the student,

except in the area of general studies. After generally two preliminary

exams, the final exam is called the diploma. This can be followed by

graduate studies of generally two years leading to the doctorate.

Doctorates in the field of architecture are rare.

The civil engineering area is divided into two separate departments

and study fields:

(1) Structural engineering with emphasis on structures, buildings,

bridge, and other constructions.

(2) Civil engineering with emphasis on surveying, drainage and

irrigation, road and utility construction.

Unlike the education offered in the "Technikums" , the college level courses generally stress the theoretical aspects of the profession and

the alumni are expected to enter private praxis, research organizations,

or management level positions in industry or government after a short

period of practical work experience.

So as to differentiate the architect or engineer with a university

level education from the "Techniker", the former uses the title "Diplom

Architekt" (or engineer) . The use of this title is illegal unless the

holder has successfully completed all the requirements of an approved

university-level school.

14
3. BUILDING RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS

The term research Is used here in its broadest possible sense. Accordingly, the following descriptions include also educational and

planning organizations whose activities are related to the total building

research effort in Switzerland.

The personal survey of Swiss building research organizations entailed

visits to organizations almost exclusively concerned with housing construction, and with only few exceptions concerned primarily with the "software"

aspects of building research. So as to present a broader based report on Swiss building research, this investigator has also obtained and studied

some written Information on additional organizations.

3.1. Forschungskommission Wohnungsbau (FKW)

(Federal Commission for Housing Research)

Based on the federal law to promote housing construction, enacted

March 19, 1965, by the Swiss Parliament and effective as of March 1, 1966,

the Federal Council established the Commission on Housing Research on February 22, 1966. The first members of the Commission were appointed

by the Department for Economic Affairs on June 28, 1966.

The Commission constitutes a non-parliamentary Commission reporting

administratively to the Department of Economic Affairs. Its objective is

the promotion of research to raise the productivity in housing construction.

The "raise in productivity" is defined as the improvement of the relation of

total effort to total result, whereby the number or amount of housing

construction, its quality, and the required operating and maintenance

cost must be considered.

In pursuit of its objective, the Commission sponsors housing research

by outside persons; the Commission itself does not have the staff or facilities to conduct its own research. Although the regulations require

that appropriate research be generally supported with only a 40 percent

subsidy, they do permit on exceptions the 100 percent funding of research

contracts. In praxis, this exception has become the rule and most contracts

are now based on specific requests by the Commission at 100 percent funding.

A research plan and a priority list, both developed by the Commission,

guides selection of research project. The plan has eight points:

1. Housing Habits

1.1. Socio-economic conditions

1.2. Housing physiology

2 . Financing and Development

15
3. Real Estate and Infrastructure

4. Housing Design

4.1. Building design

4.2. Building physics

4.3. Mechanical and electrical equipment

4.4. Interior arrangement

4.5. Cost estimates and methods for their determination

4.6. Bidding and contracting

4.7. Construction planning - use of CPM, etc.

5. Building Materials and Components

5.1. Building materials

5.2. Testing of building materials

5.3. Modular coordination and standardization

5.4. Information systems on building materials

6 . Building Construction

7 . Housing Market

8 . Legal Aspects

The original priority list recognizes three categories.

1. For Immediate Development

Projects which promise to result in a substantial increase in

productivity in the near future, and projects needed as a basis for

future studies.

2. To be Started Before the End of 1970

Projects which also promise to result in a substantial increase

in productivity in the near future, but which can not be started

immediately because preliminary work must first be completed, or which must be delayed because of lack of personnel or other required

resources

.

3. For Later Study

3.1. Projects which can not be solved with presently available

resources.

3.2. Projects for which substantial preliminary investigations

are required.

16
3.3. Projects for which legal preconditions are not as yet

existing.

As of December 1972, 24 reports based on work sponsored by the

Commission have been published either by FKW or by associated organizations. At least five additional reports are available in printed form,

and an undisclosed number of reports are in the editorial stages. No

information was available on the number of research projects under way,

but this number is estimated to be in the neighborhood of 10.

a. Organization of FKW

The Commission consists of its President, Professor J. W. Ruber,

Architect; two Vice-presidents; and seven members. They represent

educational, professional, business, and financial interests involved

in housing construction. Through its members the FKW maintains direct

contact with the major organizations directly involved with building

research and housing policy. For example, Mr. F. X. Suter, First Vicepresident, is Chief of the Bureau of Housing Construction.

A Secretariat, under the direction of Dr. G. Koehn, is responsible

for all administrative matters, research contract administration, and

for the editing and publishing of reports. A technical staff (position

of Chief presently vacant) is responsible for technical aspects of

preliminary work, monitoring, and technical supervision of research

contracts.

According to its current mandate, FKW will be dissolved in the near future; however, under new proposed legislation a permanent

organization will not only continue FKW's activity, but will expand

its scope to include building research in general. So far as it could

be determined, both personnel and organizational structure of the new

organization will be identical to, or expanded from, the current FKW.

Unquestionably, the FKW is the central agency in the total Swiss

housing research effort. Through its control of all federal subsidies

associated with housing research, it is estimated to influence, directly

or indirectly, close to 100 percent of such research activity.

3.2. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology - Zurich (ETH-Z)

Founded in 1855 as a building trade school, ETH-Z was the first

federally funded educational institution. It consists today of eleven

departments

17
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8. Civil Engineering and Surveying

9. Mathematics and Physics

10. Sciences

Directly involved in building construction related activities are the

Department of Architecture and Structural Engineering.

A total of approximately 110 institutes and laboratories are either

attached to the departments or are directly responsible to the school

management. The objective of these institutes is to be active in research,

to give technical assistance to industry and all levels of government, and

to provide research facilities to both teaching staff and students.

Approximately 20 institutes and laboratories are active in fields related

to building research in the wider sense, about 10 of which are directly

concerned with construction activities.

In 1970, total student enrollment was approximately 6,000 (up from

2,700 in 1955) with a staff of approximately 1,200 professors, lecturers,

instructors, and assistants. Projections for 1975 estimate that the

number of students will have increased to 7,500. A serious effort is

being made to improve the high proportion of students to professors from

the current 30 to 1 to 15 to 1 within the next few years.

Physically, the main activity is centered on the campus near the

center of the City of Zurich. However, a new campus on the outskirts

of the city is under construction. All building related activity will

be located at the new facility on the "Hoenggerberg" . The school's

administration and several of the other departments will remain in the

existing campus on Leonhardstrasse.

18
a. Department of Architecture

The formal research work In architecture is conducted at three

independent Institutes, the Institute for Building Research, the Institute

for Planning, and the Institute for History and Theory of Architecture.

The three organizations and their work is discussed in detail below.

However, informal research is conducted at the department by study

groups consisting of students under the guidance of faculty members.

Broadly speaking, these groups are active in three areas:

(1) The development and evaluation of the study plans and the

evaluation of student work. This is an effort to find the basis for

the restructuring of the education and training of architects. The

emphasis in these studies is definitely in the area of social relevance.

(2) Studies related directly to semester projects, the objective

being to deepen the student's awareness and understanding of a specific

building type, or of a specific planning problem. Basically these are studies in which the program for a project is developed from the standpoint of an interdisciplinary approach.

(3) Studies independent of the other school activities, they include

field studies and travel reports, historical studies, and broad research

projects dealing with all phases of planning and design.

In all the projects conducted by these study groups the socioeconomic aspects appear to be prominent - many projects dealing exclusively in this area, and construction or technology oriented projects

appear non-existent. A brief review of a few final reports written by

these groups indicated substantial depth as well as a great effort to

substantiate findings with detailed statistics.

b. Institut fuer Hochbauforschung (HBF) , ETH-Z

(Institute for Building Research)

HBF is the formal building research organization. Professor Kunz,

Director, teaches at the department of architecture major courses in

construction supervision and management, building cost, and building

construction sequence. The Institute consists of approximately six

architects and one civil engineer. In addition, open positions exist

currently for one sociologist, one lawyer, one economist and one building

cost specialist. In addition, and as required, a part-time staff varying

between 5 and 15 professional and clerical persons are employed. The

Institute operates under a budget of approximately SFR 1,000,000 ($300,000)

annually. Approximately 10 percent of the budget is used for outside research

contracts in specific areas for which required expertise is not available

internally.

The Institute does not have any facilities for experimental construction work, although presumably the shops and laboratories of the EMPA could

19
be used. However, to date, the projects of HBF have been entirely in the

area of "software" and no plans appear to exist to expand the scope to

"hardware" items.

Project areas of HBF cover the following major areas:

(1) Building economics, construction cost, and construction

accounting procedures, including studies of case histories.

(2) Design Management, design methodology, and use of network manage

ment in the design process.

(3) Evaluation of quality and performance of housing, including

planning, design, construction, and material related factors.

(4) University planning, an extensive effort at integrating the

requirements relating to sociology, education, economy, and construction.

c. Institut fuer Bauplanung und Baubertrieb (IBB) . (Institute for Construction Research)

IBB is concerned with the construction process as, an integrated

activity of the major functions of economy, management, and technology,

and the minor functions of sociology, law and politics, and ecology. It

is a new Institute currently in the formative stage. It is related to the

Civil Engineering Department of ETH-Z and it is planned to grow by 1980

to a staff of approximately 70 professional, technical, and clerical

employees.

' The Institute was established based on the recognition of the gap

existing between the purely technically oriented and educated engineer

on the one hand, and the entrepreneur-economist on the other. It is the

function of the Institute to close this gap by providing education and

research facilities to broaden the traditional scope of the civil engineering training which is more concerned with the aspects of design than with

those of on-going construction.

Although the Institute does at this time appear to be a functioning

organization, no information in regard to specific projects or accomplishments is available as yet.

d. Institut fuer Geschichte und Theorie

der Architektur (GTA)

(Institute for History and Theory of Architecture)

The Institute publishes papers on history and theory of architecture.

It is also active in the organization of exhibits and administers the

school's archives on architectural history.

Of interest is the CIAM archive. The "Congres Internationaux

d 'Architecture Moderne" was founded in 1928 in La Sarraz. A substantial

20
nuraber of important CIAM documents on the architecture of the early 20th

Century is said to be disbursed among the many nations and it is now

intended to collect these documents and maintain them at a special

archive within the Institute.

e. Institut fuer Orts-, Regional-und Landesplanung (ORL)

(Institute for National, Regional, and Local Planning)

The Institute had its beginnings in 1943 as the Center of Planning

within the Institute of Geography, and was made an independent institute

in 1961. Its responsibilities are in the areas of education, research

and consultation and information.

(1) Education

All educational activities are on the graduate level. Prerequisite

for entering the two year planning courses are a degree in any of a number of related disciplines, specifically architecture, civil engineering, geography, agriculture, forestry, landscaping, law, sociology, and

economy. The courses stress interdisciplinary studies in all phases of

planning.

(2) Research and Consultation

The main research activity is the preparation of guidelines for the

future development of the entire territory of Switzerland. The purpose

of the guidelines is to assist all agencies involved in planning (government as well as private), to coordinate individual planning efforts, and

to prevent gross errors and unsound investments based on faulty planning.

The Institute has no political authority to enforce the guidelines but

they may be used by political bodies for establishing firm planning

requirements. It is in this area that ORL is providing substantial

consultation services. ORL also assists the Bureau for Housing Construction and thus has a direct influence on the development and location of

future housing constructions.

(3) Information System

A specific task of ORL is the establishment and maintenance of a data bank on planning related statistics and facts, based on a small

dimensioned grid (unit = 1 hectar = approximately 100,000 sqf ) . The

system is fully programmed and population figures are incorporated in

cooperation with the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. The data bank is

available to all political subdivisions. Because of the small grid size

used, the system is claimed to be helpful in solving even local planning

problems

.

The new federal law on planning activities is further enhancing the

status of ORL, as this 250 member institute will have the responsibility

to develop the cantonal development plans required by the new legislation.

21
f. Institut fuer Baustatik und Massivbau;

Baustatik und Stahlbau

(Institute for Structure and Masonry and Concrete

Construction and Structure and Steel Construction)

The two currently separate institutes will be combined in 1975 at the

time of the move to the new campus on the Hoenggerberg. The future empahsis

of the new organization will be:

(1) Application of computers to problems of structures, studies of

the actual behavior of building materials and the in-service conditions

as basis for the design of structures.

(2) Investigations on new building materials and construction methods,

behavior of elements and complete structures.

(3) Problems of prefabrication and mass production of construction

elements, and cooperation with the Institute for Construction Management.

g. Institut fuer Aerodynamik

(Institute for Aerodynamics)

The Institute for Aerodynamics was established in 1931 to be active

in both theoretic and applied aerodynamics. Although project areas originally were primarily in the fields of aeronautics (the Institute

claims to have had the first closed-circuit supersonic wind tunnel)

,

currently the activity includes investigations on the wind resistance

of buildings and structures and on thermo-accoustic phenomena in

diffusors and pipe lines.

h. Institut fuer Geophysik und

Schweizerischer Erdbebendienst

(Institute for Geophysics and Swiss Seismological Service)

The Institute is of interest because of the work in earthquake

research. The Service establishes and maintains a network of seismologic

stations and studies the seismic activity in the Alpine Region, on the

Iberic Peninsula, and in North Africa. Investigations also include

safety measures in fault areas and the improvement of measuring techniques and instrumentation.

i. Additional ETH-Z Institutes and Laboratories

All the above institutes have a direct, although in some cases only

limited relation to building research and the activities of CBT. A

number of other organizations of ETH-Z are active in areas only marginally

related to building research. For completeness these are listed below

in alphabetical order.

(1) Institut fuer Bau-und Transportmaschinen (Institute for

Construction and Transport Equipment). Although currently active exclusively in the area of safety for aerial cable cars, the Institute for

Construction and Transport Equipment is scheduled to become more and more

active in the field of mechanized construction equipment.

22
(2) Laboratorlum fuer EMPA Lehrbetrieb (Laboratory for EMPA

Educational Activity) . This is an annex laboratory to the EMPA. Its

purpose is to provide facilities for experimental testing in connection

with course work, on materials testing.

(3) Institut fuer Geodaesie und Photogrammetrie und fuer' Kartographie

(Institutes for Geodetic and Photogrammetry , and for Cartography). These

two institutes are mentioned here because of their relationship to planning

in the development of new methods for surveying and mapping.

(4) Geographisches Institut (Geographic Institute) . The Geographic

Institute is of interest because of its work in ecology and environmental

matters. It also cooperates with the ORL by providing essential data for

planning purposes.

(5) Geologisches Institut (Geologic Institute) . The Institute is

active in research concerned with substrata, water tables, and other areas related to planning and building location.

(6) Institut fuer Grundbau und Bodenmechanik (Institute for Foundations and Soil Mechanics). The Institute is concerned with research in

foundations and soil mechanics.

(7) Institut fuer Strassen-und Untertagbau (Institute for Highway and

Underground Construction) . The Institute is active in highway research

related to planning. Other activities, such as studies on tunnel construction are of interest in the planning and development of infrastructures.

(8) Institut fuer Kristallographie und Petrographie (Institute for

Crystallography and Petrography) , Although the total scope of this

Institute is very wide, its work in the classification of stones and

rocks used as building materials is noted.

(9) Institut fuer Kulturtechnik (Institute for Civil Engineering)

The Institute is active in research on problems of drainage and irrigation.

It is also active in rural planning and related fields.

(10) Versuchsanstalt fuer Wasserbau, Hydrologie und Glaziologie (VAW)

(Experiment Station for Hydrology and Glaziology) . The Experiment Station

is concerned with the development of water as a natural resource. The

experimental facilities permit the study of water flow and migration both

above and below ground level.

3.3. Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPF-L)

(Swiss Federal Institute of Technology-Lausanne)

EPF-L was originally established in 1853 as a private technical school, was incorporated in 1869 into the Academy of Lausanne (later University) and

was known between 1946 and 1969 as "Ecole Polytechnique de L'Universite de

Lausanne", comprising a Department of Architecture and one of Engineering.

Since 1969 EPF-L is the second educational institution directly under the

jurisdiction of the Federal Government. Its purpose is not only to provide

engineering education, but also to be active in research. The management

of EPF-L reports directly to the "Schweizerischer Hochschulrat"

23
Similar to ETH-Z, EPF-L is organized into teaching departments and

into research institutes or laboratories. Although teaching staff and

Institute management often are combined into one or more persons, the

Institutes are not in general a part of the corresponding department, but

are independently^reporting to the President. It appears that the direction

of the various Institutes often is under the supervision of an appropriate

commission. The membership of such commissions consists of experts within

the school as well as experts from the professions and related industries.

In nine departments, a total of approximately 1700 students are enrolled, and irj 1971, 160 students were graduated and 17 doctoral degrees

were conferred. Almost one-half of the students are of a nationality other

than Swiss. ' *

In 1971, the teaching staff consisted of 73 professors, 217 assistants,

some 360 support ^ 3|.raonnel , and 75 "special staff, the latter being personnel

active mainly in the research areas and supported by funds other than the

general school budget.

The school is presently located within the city limits of Lausanne, but

an entirely new ,:Tipus is currently being designed for a location of Ecublens

somewhat outside of this city. Start of site work is scheduled for Spring,

1973. Occupancy of the first facilities is planned for Fall, 1974, and

completion of the first phase with 600,000 square feet floor area is expected

in 1978.

Related to the work in building research are six of the EPF-L Institutes

(a) "Institut de Recherche sur L ' Environnement Construit" (IREC)

(Research Institute for the Constructed Environment)

(b) "Laboratoire de Geotechnique" (LEGP)

(Geotechnical Laboratory)

(c) "Laboratoire d'Hydraulique" (LHYDREP)

(Hydrological Laboratory)

(d) "Institut de Statique des Constructions"

(Institute for Structures)

(e) "Institut de la Construction Metallique" (ICOM)

(Institute for Metal Construction)

(f) "Institut de Techniques des Transports" (ITEP)

(Institute for Transportation Technology)

a. Institut de Recherche sur L' Environnement

Construit (IREC)

IREC was formed only recently. It is planned to provide a multidiscipline approach to a wide range of problems, foremost in the housing

field and related to "software" aspects. At present IREC consists of one full-time architect, one full-time economist, one part-time sociologist

24
and one part-time architect. Additional personnel is employed for short

periods as needed, and a small library and information facility is

staffed by a part-time information specialist. A substantial expansion

of the staff seems to be planned.

The current projects deal with financial, legal, and organizational

aspects of housing construction; but an expansion 3"to the areas of

performance concept, space perception, and environmental psychology is

planned. A comprehensive project into various problems of high-rise

building construction has been started recently.

b. Laboratoire de Geotechnique (LF*^ ^

LEGP is active in the field of foundation and soil mechanic research.

Its objectives are to perfect test methods, both in the field and in the

laboratory so as to better classify and evaluate so3""s, and to improve

analytical methods for designing foundations.

Currently the research program includes theoretical studies in soil

mechanics, properties of rocks, and frost effects; applied research in

the area of road and bridge constructions; and both test methods and

actual testing and consultation on bearing soils.

c. Laboratoire d'Hydraulique (LHYDREP)

This laboratory is active in the areas of flood control, frequency

predictions, and computer studies to estimate fluvial deposits in rivers

(originally developed for the Mekong Delta)

.

d. Institut de Statique des Constructions

The field of research of this institute are studies of the structural

behavior on small scale models, for structures which are too complex to be

solved analytically, and too large to permit full scale testing. In

particular, dynamic effects on structures are studied, such as the

behavior of railroad bridges under moving loads. A current project

deals with wind forces on buildings and other tall structures.

e. Institut de la Construction Metallique (ICOM)

The research areas of ICOM are: the behavior of composite structures,

the elastic-plastic stability of frames, new applications of the finite

element method, and studies on effective safety factors of structures.

Specific current research projects deal with the behavior of composite

steel and concrete framework, both under static and dynamic loads; postbuckling behavior of light gauge sections, both open and closed; analytical

25
determination of post-buckling behavior of metal beams; behavior and design

of sandwich panels; application of finite element method to welded constructions. Future planned work includes studies on the use and application of

light-weight concrete.

f. Institut de Technique des Transports (ITEP)

Studies of ITEP include all aspects of transportation, but with

emphasis on rail-type systems. In general, ITEP is concerned with the

software aspects, such as mathematical models for pre-determining distribution, density, and "bottlenecks", and on management systems for

transportation. In the planning field, several studies are being carried

out under contract for rural and urban jurisdiction both in Switzerland

and in Algeria.

ITEP is cooperating with the Department of Engineering and its

Institute on Electric Machines, in the development of a new transportation

system based on the application of the EPF-L developed "Moteur Lineaires

Asynchrones" . In this motor, the stationary rail becomes an integral - part of the motor which does not have any rotating parts. By not relying

on wheels for transmitting the motive power to the rail the system (if

sufficient power is used) has no limits in regard to slopes - it can

even be used for vertical transportation; it also does not rely on mechanical friction for breaking. A 94 m (275 ft.) long test rail is

installed at the EPF-L site permitting the testing of motors from 15 to

30 KW. In connection with this development project, the staff is in

contact with the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Prof. Genton

of the Institute has contacts with:

Mr. de Concini, International Relations; and

Mr. Robert Dial, Chief, New Systems Requirements Analysis Branch,

Urban Transit Administration.

Prof. Jufer of the Institute is in contact with:

Mr. Matthew Guarino, Jr., Project Engineer, Electrical Propulsion

and Power Systems, Office of High-Speed

Ground Transportation.

g. Additional EPF-L Research Institutes

In the "Department du Genie Rurale", some additional work is potentially applicable to housing and building research through the following

four organizations:

"Institut de Photogrammetrie"

(Institute for Photograrametry)

"Institut du Genie Rurale"

(linstitute for Rural Civil Engineering)

26
"Institut Genie de L'Environement"

(Institute for Environmental Sciences)

"Institut de Petrographie"

(Institute for Petrography)

These institutes are mainly concerned with engineering sciences

applicable to rural areas, and to regional planning efforts. The first

two institutes deal with methods of triangulation and the development

of small scale maps and plans. The third is not yet operational, but

will deal with air and water pollution, energy conservation, and waste

disposal and recycling. The last one interfaces with both building

materials and building subsoil,

3.4. Eidgenoesslsche Materialspruefungs-und

Versuchsanstalt fuer Industrie, Bauwesen und Gewerbe (EMPA)

(Swiss Federal Materials Testing and Experiment Station)

Also known by its earlier name of "Eidgenoesslsche MaterialpruefungsAnstalt", EMPA is the leading Swiss organization in the testing field.

The institution was founded in 1880 as an organization for testing

building materials in connection with the Swiss Polytechnique Institute

(now ETH-Z). Between 1895 and 1937 the scope of EMPA's work was expanded

so that today all areas of industry and commerce are represented in its

testing program. Today building and general construction related testing

account for approximately one-third of its total activity. In addition,

EMPA has also undertaken labelling and certification programs in some

areas.

The main facility of EMPA is located in relatively new buildings in

Duebendorf near Zurich. A smaller facility, a former textile laboratory,

is located in St. Gall. However, only activities in textiles, leather,

paper and related testing are conducted in this annex.

Prof. T. Erisman is director of the entire organization. He reports

to the "Schweizerische Hochschulrat" . The "Advisory Commission of the

EMPA" is assisting the Schulrat and the EMPA, and a special commission

advises on activities related to the St. Gall operation.

As of December 31, 1971, the organization, including the St. Gall

facility, consisted of a total of 479 employees, of which approximately

one-half are classified as professionals (with a college level degree)

and approximately 60 are apprentices and temporary help. Sixteen

members of the staff are actively engaged in teaching, mainly at ETH-Z.

The total budget for 1971 was approximately SFR 17,600,000 (or

$5,500,000), of which SFR 12,100,000 ($4,000,000) were employment costs.

The organization chart shown in Figure 2 identifies the departments

and indicates the names of the respective chiefs.

27
Concrete, Cement Joosting

Director

Erisman

Building

Materials

Roesli

Metals

Steiner

Chemistry

Preis

Specialties

Hochweber

Support

Burkhardt

Bldg. Construction

(Materials & Elements)

Vacant

Roadbuilding & Insulating

Materials

Fritz

Plastics Meier

Wood and Timber Kuehne

Heavy Construction Ladner

Technology, Constructions Morf

1

i Nondestructive Testing Blaser

Containers Vollenweider

4 Metallography Fichter

Anorganic, Physical Chemistry Eisenwein

Organic Chemistry, Lubricants Banholzer

Liquid Fuels Gartenmann

Combustion, Pollution Jutzi

j Building Physics Sagelsdorf

f

Water Chemistry , Bldg. Chemistry Weber

Petrography

Accoustics Lauber

Corrosion, Surface Protection Boehni

Safety Engineering

(including fire protection)

Bieri

Damage investigations

(Buildings)

Wuergler

Public Relations Fischer

EDV, Documentation Brauchli

Electronics, Instrumentation Bischof

Construction Services Leutert

1 Fatigue, Stress Analysis Esslinger

Administration

Heierle

Personnel

Legal

Secretariat

Transportation

Finance Haegi j Accounting Brunner j Material Purchasing Elmer

Maintenance Wernli

FIGURE 2. ORGANIZATION OF EMPA DUEBENDORF

28
Despite its position as a federal agency and its teaching functions,

80 percent of EMPA's income and expenditures are related to commercial

testing and other sponsored activities for private industry. Research

activities are generally restricted to:

(1) Research that is needed to maintain the professional level of

the organization.

(2) The research that relates directly to practical aspects of

testing, particularly to apparatus, instrumentation, and methods of

testing.

(3) Research activities conducted in close cooperation with outside

organizations

.

Although the restriction to the three areas listed would appear to

leave little room for meaningful research, many of the sponsored

activities are in fact applied research, as only part of these are

in the area of routine testing.

Close cooperation with the ETH-Z is maintained through teaching

activity at ETH by many of EMPA's staff members. In addition, EMPA

conducts its own classes in material sciences, some of which are built

into the required curriculum for engineers at the ETH-Z.

In regard to building research, the following departments are of

particular interest:

a. Department of Building Materials

The department is concerned with mechanical and structural testing

and evaluation of non-metallic materials and products, components, and

constructions, including reinforced and prestressed concrete and composite constructions. The emphasis is on applications in general and building

construction.

In the area of concrete and concrete products, the evaluation of

concrete, cement, aggregates, and additives are of major concern to the

department.

b. Department of Metals

The Department is concerned with testing of metals (particularly

steel) used in building, machine, and container applications.

In the building construction area load tests both on components (in

laboratory) and on completed structures (in field) , and welding inspections during construction are of major interest. Through this activity

29
in welding Inspection, the Department is tied into the building regulatory

system by conducting mandatory field inspections and tests of weldments.

c. Department Special Problems

This Department is concerned with testing in the fields of building

physics and building chemistry, such as thermal and humidity aspects of

building and component performance, fire protection technology, corrosion,

and building accoustics. The development of window test methods for water

and air infiltration and for accoustic performance; investigations in the area of building safety in regard to fire and explosion; and building

failures and damage investigations are some examples of the work of this

department.

d. Department Supporting Services

Ancilliary to the above departments are sections which deal with

information and data systems, measurement and electronic technology,

and fatigue and stress analysis.

3.5. Schweizerisches Institut fuer Aussenwirtschaf ts

,

Struktur, und Marktforschung

(Swiss Institute for Foreign Commerce and Marketing)

This Institute is attached to the University of Economics and Social

Sciences of St. Gall. The Institute is organized into the Departments of

International Economic Affairs and Planning and Market Research. It is

the latter of these Departments that is active in the housing field. The

two project areas currently under study are housing statistics and methods

for increasing housing construction.

The work in statistics includes close cooperation with "BaudataSystematik" (Page 33) in developing uniform accounting procedures, the

development of a nationwide building cost index, housing distribution,

and housing cost (both rental and construction)

.

In the area of method for increasing housing construction, the

studies include the definition of the various economic factors which

determine the supply of housing, and the influence of various governmental

efforts, such as construction subsidy programs, publicly owned housing,

and rent subsidies.

As likely future projects were mentioned economic studies on: urban

renewal, import duties, foreign contractor competition, administrative

protectionistic acts and other restrictions such as building codes.

The Institute employs a total of approximately 20 persons including

teaching and clerical staff. Active exclusively in the area of building

research are two graduate (pre-doctoral students and two part-time students,

reporting to Professor Nydegger, Director of the Institute.

30
3.6. Schweizerischer Ingenieur und

Architekten Verein (SIA)

(Swiss Association of Engineers and Architects)

SIA is the major professional association of Swiss engineers and

architects.

The objective of the Society, as stated in its bylaws is the

protection of the interests of the professions of engineering and

architecture, and the development of standards. In pursuit of these

objectives, SIA develops standards in the areas of:

Definition of professional activity

Fees schedules

Professional ethics

Definition of types of construction activities

Bidding procedures

Contract arrangements (including publication of contract forms)

Cost and accounting procedures

Engineering and design procedures

Strength and performance of materials, products, and components.

Standards developed in the last two areas are referenced in most

building laws and regulations and are the equivalent of part of building

codes and ASTM standards used in the United States. These standards do

not, however, constitute a comprehensive collection of reference standards,

but are developed on a- selective basis. Instead of being referenced

directly in laws and regulations, they are often implied by such statements

as "according to good engineering practice".

The Society develops the various standards through committees and

subcommittees. Only Society members - and accordingly only professionals - can serve on these committees as full members. Consumers (other than

indirectly through architects and engineers) are not represented, and

neither are producer interests. Informally, however, producers do liberally cooperate with the various committees, and many SIA materials

standards appear to be simply industry standards adopted and approved by

the Society. The lack of formal and effective representation by consumer

and producer groups does not seem to be considered important. In fact,

the lack is not even perceived as such.

31
3.7. Schweizerische Zentralstelle fuer

Baurationalisierung (CRB)

(Swiss Center for Efficiency in Building Construction)

CRB is a non-profit organization, financed by 30 percent through

membership fees, 20 percent through Federal Government subsidies, and

50 percent from the sale of literature. With an annual budget of

approximately SFR 1,000,000 ($300,000), the organization has a fulltime staff of five and a part-time staff for a varying total of between

12 and 25.

The objective of the organization is the promotion of efficiency

in the building construction and contracting area through the development and publication of "software" methods and procedures. It is active

foremostly in the area of cost accounting, but has substantial interests

in the entire construction process, including:

Construction Management theory and methods

Modular coordination.

Documentation of available building systems, literature and publications on all aspects related to its area of activity.

Research in mathematical models for building and building construction processes.

CRB appears to enjoy the active support of most persons interviewed.

In particular its efforts are recognized in the industry sector. The

major contribution of CRB seems to be in the area of reduced contractor

and architect's overheads.

3.8. Institut fuer Bauberatung

(Institute for Construction Consultation)

This is a private organization and a division of "Fides Treuhand AG"

(corporation) owned by Swiss Credit. The organization employs approximately 12 architects, engineers, and computer programmers.

The objective of the organization is to provide, on a commercial

basis, consulting services to building owners and architects in the

area of cost control, time planning, and construction management. To

perform these services, the Institute has developed various PERT and

CPM systems for data manipulation.

All the systems currently used are based on single individual

contracts and do not extend to contractor's internal cost accounting.

However, the systems could be used by general contractors or in "construction management" situations.

32
Although the systems are not developed for this purpose, it would

be possible to use them for optimization based on cost and time factors.

At this time the difficulty would exist in the lack of reliable input

data.

3.9. Baudata Systematik (BDS)

(Building Construction Information System)

This is an informal non-profit organization with the objective to

develope a uniform and systematic data and documentation basis for the

entire building industry.

The organization also attempts (and appears to be quite successful)

to promote the use of a uniform data system by producers in their sales

literature.

BDS has no staff other than the Secretary (Mr. Held) and operates

under the consensus principle. The membership is almost exclusively

composed of professionals with little input from either the consumer or producer categories.

3.10. Battelle Memorial Institute - Geneva

The Battelle Memorial Institute maintains a major establishment

in Geneva. As all other individual Battelle Institutes this one operates

essentially independent from the main office in Columbus, Ohio, U. S. A.

One division with approximately 12 employees is exclusively active

in the building research area. All projects are of the "software" type,

there being no facilities for experimental work available. Major project

areas are:

a. Pre-evaluation of Building Research Projects

This project is sponsored by FKW for its use in evaluating research

proposals and for determining priorities of suggested projects.

b. Structure of Swiss Building Research Activity

This study is currently in the editorial stage and a copy of the final

report was promised to be sent to this investigator.

c. Thermal Insulating Materials

A study of present and future needs and availability of insulating

materials in regard to economic and technological considerations.

d. Environmental Factors in Industrial Buildings

The study is to consider space, noise, vibration, humidity, air, and

light in industrial environments, and the influence of these factors on

33
occupant satisfaction, health, and productivity. An integrated approach

is planned for this project which is sponsored by an Italian automobile

manufacturer.

e. Study of Housing Construction, Housing Needs,

and Industrialized Housing Construction

This is a cooperative project with other Battelle Institutes and covers selected countries on a worldwide basis. This privately sponsored

project attempts to determine (1) where industrialized housing construction

in fact is proven successful, and (2) what factors are needed for successful

industrialized construction.

f. Future Projects

Sponsored by the Canton of Geneva, Battelle will study housing and

building economics, and the entire complex of questions of transportation

for the Canton of Geneva. This Canton is almost entirely surrounded by

French Territory and is furthermore divided by the lake and the Rhone River.

Urban mass transportation is considered the major key in all future development plans.

3.11. U. Hettich, Architect

Mr. Hettich is a partner in a cooperatively organized architectural

firm. He is also the former chief of the technical office of FKW. He was recently appointed Chief of the Bernese Cantonal Building Department.

He will assume this post in the Spring of 1973.

In his capacity as Chief of the Technical Office of FKW, Mr. Hettich

was instrumental in developing the original research program of this

organization. Since his resignation he has maintained his interests in

building research and is now both a member of FKW and one of its contractors.

In the latter capacity he is active on two projects:

a. Measurement of "Housing Quality

(Performance of Housing)

Under the pressures of high demand and rising land prices, it is

believed that the housing costs to the consumer are not depending greatly

on actual construction cost, as cost savings to the contractors are not

passed on to the consumer. Accordingly, Mr. Hettich is of the opinion

that building research should aim more at the improvement of the housing

quality (at equal cost level). However, any effort in this direction

presupposes a method for measuring this quality. The project goal is the

development of such a method.

34
b. Rehabilitation of Housing

Consistent with Mr. Hettich's findings in regard to the improvement

of housing performance, he proposes in this project the study of the

rehabilitation of existing but substandard housing. No results were available from this study at this time.

3.12. Mr. H. Litz, Architect

Mr. Litz is an independently working architect with several large

housing development designs to his credit, as well as substantial

experience in the development of concrete housing systems. However,

his present main interest is in the area of modular coordination.

Mr. Litz has been Ernst Goehner AG's leading consultant for many

years, both in the design of building systems and entire developments.

When he originally developed the "Goehner System", it was planned to

produce an open system of components which could be used for the con- struction of various differing housing linlts. He still believes that

this would have been the correct, and in the long run the more successful

course (the Goehner System as currently being built is a closed system

of components each designed for the specific building type)

.

Through his work on concrete components, Mr. Litz became interested

in modular coordination. He is the author of several publications and

research reports on this subject which is his major current interest.

3.13. Suter & Suter, Architects

Suter & Suter is the largest strictly architectural firm in Switzerland.

The firm is not involved in contracting, financing, or development work.

It employs a total of 450 architects, designers, draftsmen, job superintendents and clerical staff, of which approximately 50 are stationed in

subsidiaries in other cities of Switzerland, ih France, Germany, and

Austria. Suter & Suter builds worldwide with a total annual building

volume of approximately SFR 500,000,000 ($150,000,000). The firm originally

specialized in buildings for the industry (particularly chemical and

pharmaceutical) but is active today in all building types, although

industrial construction still seems to predominate.

Suter & Suter often uses prefabricated elements in its construction

in combination with conventional methods but not complete prefabricated

systems.

Suter & Suter has pioneered in the area of construction cost accounting and much of the current developments by CRB and the "Institut fuer

Bauberatung" are based on this early work. At present Suter & Suter uses

a computer based accounting system to monitor the cost performance of all

its construction work.

35
•ill

Suter & Suter has established a special working group (ICARE)

which concerns itself with research related activities. Its four main

tasks are:

Development of standardized details, mainly in industrial construction. These details are for internal use only and are continuously updated

based on experience in the field.

Cost estimating and statistics. Based on internally and externally

available information, detailed cost statistics are developed and maintained. These statistics are used to monitor the cost of proposed

designs at all stages of development.

Every department has one man assigned the task of reporting to

ICARE any deficiencies or difficulties discovered. This information is

collected, reviewed, and dissiminated among those internal departments

which might need the information. ICARE also develops statistics from

this information and uses it for updating standard details and cost

estimate information. In fact, this activity is an organized internal

"feedback".

In addition ICARE prepares testimonies and cost estimates on existing constructions, both for internal use and on a commission basis for

third parties.

Suter & Suter has in the past used outside consultants for confidential surveys of occupant satisfaction in housing construction. The results

of such surveys served not only for design improvements but also in promotional activities. The organization also maintains continued informal

contacts with owners and maintenance personnel, and credits this fact for

the large number of repeat commissions.

3.14. Edward Heifer, Architect

The office of Mr. Heifer is active both as designer of buildings and

housing projects and as developer.

Because of this dual involvement in multi-family housing he has become

active in three research related activities:

a. Industrialized Construction

In effect, E. Heifer's organization has developed their own precast

concrete building system. It is an "open" system and is easily altered

to adapt to each project requirement. It also appears to be used frequently

in combination with conventional construction. Cost savings realized

through the use of his system over conventional construction are reported

to be in the 10 percent range.

36
b. In-Offlce Standards

Heifer's office is developing standard details and standardized

dimensions for their own use in conventional construction. The development of these standards are pursued independent of current projects.

c. Feedback

For his own use, Heifer's office is continuously monitoring and

documenting the performance of its construction, including such items

as customer satisfaction, operating, and maintenance cost. The data

so collected is treated as confidential.

In all, Mr. Heifer's organization earmarks 10 percent of its profits

for research and development activities.

The organization consists of approximately 75 persons including

architects, designers, draftsmen, job supervisors and clerical staff.

The building volume is in the range of SFR 70,000,000 ($20,000,000) per year,

of which the organization is co-owner in roughly half of the projects.

3.15. Ernst Goehner AG

Ernst Goehner AG is the largest Swiss housing developer, currently

owned by Electro Watt AG. Grown originally from a millwork shop and

window factory (Goehner was one of the first to offer standardized

window sizes) , it is best known today for its prefabricated concrete

building systems for housing construction. However, over one-half of

its housing construction is built conventionally. Goehner also builds

non-residential structures and these are all conventionally built. In

1971, the total building volume of Ernst Goehner AG was SFR 217,000,000

($70,000,000).

As a developer Goehner builds large housing developments in the 1000

to 3000 unit range, the majority in medium and highrise structures. Most

developments are on the outskirts of Zurich on undeveloped rural land.

Although Goehner does own a few of its developments, the majority are built on the turn-key principle for sale to large investors (such as insurance companies). At the request of the client, Goehner not only

designs and constructs the buildings, but also provides initial building

management services, such as initial renting and training of maintenance

personnel.

The design of most developments is under the direction of Mr. Litz,

Architect, who was also instrumental in the development of the building

system.

The "Goehner System" is a typical precast concrete system consisting

of various floor, wall, and partition elements. It is essentially a "closed" system.

37
Goehner (with Mr. Litz as project architect) has been successful in bringing variety into their developments by varying building heights, the

liberal application of color, the integration of different building types

such as kindergartens with their different scale, and through imaginative

site design and landscaping.

Goehner has commissioned a number of studies in the general area of

"feedback", mainly for use as a marketing tool and as a basis for changes

in subsequent projects. Much of this information is also of general

interest

.

3.16. Karl Steiner General Contractors

Only in recent years have general contractors appeared on the con- struction scene in Switzerland and their activity accounts for only a small fraction of the total construction activity.

Karl Steiner uses methods of "predesign" and "pre-engineering" of

details and components, but believes that the so-called systems are not

truly competitive. Questioned as to why then systems building appears

to be well developed, and accepted, in Switzerland, Steiner personnel

indicated that in today's market "anything can be sold".

The representatives of Steiner indicated that their own organization

does not conduct any research, but expressed a strong recognition of the

need for such activities. They expressed the opinion that such research

would best be conducted by a private organization whereby research objectives should be determined by concensus of the various segments of the

building industry. They also indicated that the present lack of research

activity by private organizations is due to the high economic cycle in

which little incentive exists for increasing the efficiency. The demand

for "just getting things done" is too great to leave time for activities

which are not related directly to today's problems.

Their own greatest problem was stated to be the lack of information

flow within their own organization, particularly the lack of feedback

from the site to the engineering department. As Steiner is active in

various areas of Switzerland, the multitude of building laws and codes

is a major problem area.

3.17. Planning Bureau of the City of Berne

The objective of the Bureau is the guidance of the orderly expansion

of the building inventory in the City of Berne. The Bureau works very

closely with the Cantonal Planning Department. In fact, the two organizations are located in the same building and some of their functions seemed

to overlap.

38
Based on Cantonal laws and City rules and regulations, the City

Planning Bureau develops and maintains a "guide plan" for the entire

territory and establishes specific regulations and zones for selected

development areas. In this work, the Bureau considers present and

planned transportation networks and facilities, population projections,

performance of established building projects, sociological factors,

movement of occupants. Specifically, the Bureau does conduct comparative studies in owner satisfaction and project comparisons. These

efforts are similar to "Feedback", except that they are conducted

informally and on a modest scale. The Bureau would like to be able to

do these studies more methodically and in larger scale, but lack of

both funds and personnel prevent additional work in this area. The

Bureau also recognizes that sociological aspects are not sufficiently

developed and considered in its planning efforts. Within budgetary

limits it is planned to develop a small organization devoted exclusively

to data collection and evaluation so as to strengthen the Bureau's

capabilities.

Within the "guide plan" (or master plan) , private developers are encouraged to develop specific projects. These developers may be

individuals or are more commonly groups of persons with financial

or professional interests, such as banks, insurance companies, architects, and contractors. The projects vary from single buildings to

integrated neighborhoods with up to 3000 apartments with all auxiliary

services and required infrastructure, such as kindergartens, schools,

shopping centers, health and recreational facilities. The Bureau appears

to very actively participate in both the planning and execution of these

projects, although this participation seems to be informal.

As one of the specific tasks of the Bureau and of the "guide plan",

the maintenance of free (undeveloped) spaces and areas was identified.

These spaces may be public parks, but are more often agriculturally

used areas. In the cases where continued agricultural production on such land is no longer profitable, support by subventions are considered

a compensation for profit that could be realized if the land were zoned

for development.

In a short visit to several projects (Gaebelbach, Tscharnergut) it was found that modern planning ideas were realized to a high degree. The

aesthetic overall approach also was very successful.

3.18. Delegation du Logement du Canton de Geneve

(Housing Commission of the Canton (State) of Geneva)

The "Delegation" is a recently established organization which is

responsible for the overall planning of housing in the Canton (State) of

Geneva. It is part of the Cantonal Government and acts in a coordinating

function. The delegation is committed to an integrated approach based

39
largely on the results of sociological research. It also has available

funds for sponsored research in specific problem areas (e.g. transportation, see under Battelle)

.

Current housing construction in the Canton is characterized by the

fact that 80 percent is subsidized in one form or other, and that

Geneva was one of the first cantons in Switzerland to adopt a comprehensive zoning plan. This plan provides for five zones, one of which

is established as "development zone". Unlike the other four conventional

and relatively rigid zones, this one permits considerable freedom in

land-use and density. However, in this zone the developers are required

to assume a larger share of the cost of infrastructure. By this means it

is hoped to achieve three goals: (1) to provide the necessary funds

without increasing the tax burden of the other areas; (2) to reduce the

potentially enormous speculative profits by present land owners; and (3)

to eliminate or reduce the monotony of conventional zones. This latter

aspect is admittedly speculative at this moment and constitutes an interesting large-scale experiment in city and regional planning.

AO
A. BUILDING RESEARCH PROJECTS

In this section, a limited number of selected typical and significant

research projects and project areas are briefly described. However, prior

to the discussion, a few general observations may be of interest:

(a) Few projects are truly interdisciplinary in nature; the personnel

directly involved in the single projects being either all of the same or closely related disciplinary background, or having only a token participation by substantially different disciplines. Only in the area of planning

has full interdisciplinarity been achieved.

(b) The total research effort appears very well coordinated and

directed. For example, in the area which could be called "preconditions

for industrialization" a logical development is clearly discernible:

standardization of cost accounting positions leads to uniformity in

quantity surveys (development of "Baukostenplan" or "building cost plan")

and to the development of a uniform "catalog" of building parts. The

definition of the single building parts and their interfaces constitute

a first precondition for the industrialization of their production.

Studies on the modular coordination of the defined building parts and

their limitation to a relatively few sizes provides the second precondition.

Based on additional studies into specific design aspects and legal restrictions (codes) , performance characteristics (or specifications) can then be

developed to provide the third and final precondition for the industrial

production of single building parts, elements, or even complete modules.

For each of these steps one or several research projects have been defined

by FKW and are either completed, under study, or proposed as "future work".

(c) Another noteworthy aspect of Swiss building research activity is

the liberal and conscious use of preliminary studies. These tend to go

far beyond typical state-of-art studies and include both project justification and project description. Thus they not only lead to more efficient

research studies, but appear also to prevent unneeded projects from being

established.

(d) Finally, with regard to project content, the Swiss definition of

housing research (and probably also of building research) appears to apply

primarily to the "software" aspects of the problem area, as with the

exception of the activities at the EMPA and at some of the institutes

attached to the engineering departments of the two Federal Institutes of

Technology, no "hardware" oriented projects were found to exist. Also,

all but the above-mentioned organizations lacked facilities for experimental

work. It appears that "hardware" is considered essentially product oriented,

and product design is not considered part of housing or building research,

but rather to belong into the responsibility of private producers.

41
4.1. Building Economics

A substantial research effort is under way to reduce the indirect

cost of building construction, particularly in the area of contract

preparation, contract administration, and accounting. These projects are widely supported by the building industry as their results directly

benefit not only the consumer, but also architects and contractors,

particularly in the present seller's market. Several persons interviewed

indicated that these efforts in themselves do not substantially affect

total construction cost, but that these projects are directly related

to and necessary preconditions for the future industrialization of the

construction process.

Additional research in building cost statistics and in subsidy

programs also fall under the heading of building economics and land cost.

a. Baukostenplan

Originated by the architectural firm of Suter and Suter, the "Building

Cost Plan" was developed in its present form by the "Schweizerische

Zentralstelle fuer Baurationalisierung" (CRB) . It is an organized plan,

or format, for listing building construction cost for purposes of estimating, bidding, and cost control. Although the plan permits as detailed

a breakdown of cost as needed for a specific purpose, three significant

digits are used and are predetermined. The first group, signified by

the first digit, divides the work types into ten broad groupings, such

as 0 for land cost, 1 for preliminary work, 2 for building, . . . to 9

for interior movable equipment and furnishings. The second digit describes

a more detailed breakdown, for example 21 denotes the basic structure

(supports, floors, and walls). The third digit signifies the final predetermined detail cost position, for example 211 would thus correspond to

masonry. Additional subdivisions are possible, and guidelines for their

use have been developed.

The "Baukostenplan" is based on activity types or trades, e.g.

"masonry", "carpentry", "hardware", and is thus not easily used in those cases where prefabricated elements combine several activity types, such

as, for example, prehung doors which include both carpentry and hardware

positions. Accordingly, work is currently in progress to expand the plan

to accommodate such components.

The advantages claimed for the plan are the possibility of using cost

breakdowns as detailed as required, or as available. Thus, for early

estimates to determine the magnitude of cost, only the first broad groupings (or first digit) are used; for preliminary estimates, two digits may

be useful, and for contract documents, three digits (and any further necessary subdivision) are used. The system, if consequently used, permits cost

comparisons even of widely differing building types, and provides the necessary data for future cost estimates. It appears that the "Baukostenplan"

is used widely in Swiss building construction.

42
b. Bautellkatalog

The "catalogue of building parts" is a document intended as a companion document to the "Building Cost Plan" so as to permit meaningful

cost accounting for prefabricated elements and equipment. In addition the

"catalogue" interfaces with the development of modular coordination and

with the entire complex of questions related to performance specifications.

The development of the "Bautellkatalog" is currently in the preliminary

stage.

c. Cost Comparison of Housing Projects

Two projects in this area are currently under study at the "Institut

fuer Hochbauforschung" (HBF)

:

a. A comparison and study is being made of various cost evaluation

methods and systems. Dutch, French, and British methods are studied for

their applicability to Swiss conditions.

b. Four housing projects of the City of Zurich are being compared.

The four projects differ in the degree of prefabrication used, from

totally conventional on-site construction to a method using large concrete

elements. Based on total construction cost, the housing unit cost of the

conventionally constructed project was the lowest with a cost of approximately 8% less than the most expensive system. However, the projects were

not identical in size, room layouts, and other aspects and these differences

may be responsible for cost variation higher than those observed between

the different construction methods. A more detailed "adjusted" cost

analysis is currently in progress.

c. In a companion project at HBF, the economic effect of the number

of parts in production series is being studied. This investigation is

needed because building components are produced in relatively small series

and with many variations, both conditions which in prior studies of industrial production were not considered.

In addition to these formal studies, individual architectural firms

(Suter & Suter, Ed. Heifer), contractors, and builders also are continually

monitoring and comparing the economics of various construction methods

and building systems. It is Interesting to note that the opinions regarding the relative cost of conventional and industrialized construction

varied widely.

d. Statistics in Building Construction and Cost

The "Schweizerisches Institut fuer Aussenwirtschaf ts, Struktur, und

Marktforschung" in St. Gall, is developing methodologies for the treatment

of statistics in various building related applications.

Although various localities have for some time developed building

cost indices, these are not based on a uniform method and are therefore

43
not comparable. The Institute is currently developing a methodology

to establish a nationwide building cost index, and is collecting the

necessary data to form the basis for the numerical value of the index.

The other group of statistics, both in regard to methodology and

numerical treatment, is in the area of housing production, housing

distribution, use change, and demolition. The statistics so developed

will be used as data for some of the other work of the Institute.

e. Methods for Increasing Housing Production

The Institut fuer Aussenwirtschaf ts , Struktur, und Marktforschung

conducts studies to determine the influence of various economic factors

on the supply of housing. The emphasis of this work is to investigate

the effects of various methods of public assistance, such as direct subsidies, rent subsidies, public housing, and others. The results of these

studies are expected to have a direct influence on future legislative

proposals in this area.

An extension of this work is planned to include factors of urban

planning and urban renewal, competition from foreign contractors,

industrialization of housing construction, tariffs and administrative

restrictions on imported building materials and components, and of building regulatory restrictions.

f. Financial Aspects of Landownership

The "Institut de L'Environnement Construite" (IREC) at EPF-L plans

an extensive study into all aspects of land cost, their determination,

and their effect on both housing production and housing cost.

The project is to investigate the financial aspects of landownership

and their relation to housing production and housing cost. It will investigate the definitions of evaluation criteria, and their use in the decision

making process in housing construction. In effect, it studies the question

of what is the value of a particular piece of real estate property, what

are the components of this value, and how are they determined. The results

of the project are hoped to become a management and decision making tool

for use by private builders and developers, as well as by various public

and government agencies involved in housing construction.

g. Analysis of the Housing Production Process

Also at IREC a project investigates the relative importance of the

various parties in the housing production process, such as public agencies,

public services, landowner, developer, financial institutions, architects,

contractors, users, etc., and the influence these parties have on the

decision making process. By developing an order of priorities it is

proposed that the more important influences be further investigated.

44
h. The Role of the Developer

Because the role of the developer is claimed to be the least clearly

defined and understood in the total process of housing production, this

project at IREC (EPF -L) has the objective to identify the developer's

financial and economic function in relation to financial institutions

and investors, and his decision making power in the field of environmental

quality.

The project is based on the fact that, from the standpoint of rental

income (earnings), real estate investments are currently among the least

attractive in Switzerland.

i. Economics of Heating

Extensive studies in this area have been completed by various ad hoc

groups under contract with FKW. The investigations included first studies

of comfort conditions as determined by air temperature, surface temperature

of space enclosure, temperature distribution, air humidity, air movement,

and the condition of the individual (rest or activity). Second, the energy

consumption for various heating systems and various building and comfort

conditions were investigated. Based on the above factors the heating

cost were studied both in regard to operation, first cost, and total cost,

including depreciation with assumed useful life for each separate equipment

component. The results of these studies are a comprehensive method not

only for predetermining total heating cost for a given building, but also

for the selection of the optimal combination of insulation, heating plant,

and heating fuel. Future work in this area is expected to include the

development of more meaningful statistics of cost, equipment performance,

and the comfort requirements of individuals.

4.2. Modular Coordination

As mentioned earlier, modular coordination is considered as one of

the necessary preconditions for the industrialization of the building

process and the building industry. Accordingly, a concerted effort in

this area is under way in Switzerland.

The major exponent of these efforts appears to be architect H. Litz,

who is heading a special task group composed of representatives from

industry and various other interests. The group works under contract

with the FKW. The work is closely coordinated with other European efforts

on this subject.

A detailed discussion of the technical aspects of Mr. Litz's activity

would go beyond the scope of this report. However, although substantial

progress appears to have been made so far, it is interesting to note that

Mr. Litz foresees his personal efforts in this area to continue for at

least another five years.

45
Mr. Litz inquired about the progress of "metrication" in the U.S.A.

and expressed his hope that a system of meaningful modular coordination

in building construction be developed concurrently with the reorganization of the measurement system.

4.3. Evaluation of Proposed Housing Projects

Government housing subsidy agencies, planning offices, and private

Investors all use currently different methods for the preevaluation of

housing projects, all based on different criteria. None of the methods

used at present consider all aspects (economic, social, spacial, political

etc.) and none except for the economic aspects in a narrow sense are based

on objective valuation; instead most decisions on the desirability of any

one housing project is largely based on subjective judgment.

Architect Hettich is developing the methodology for the objective

preevaluation of housing projects for use mainly by subsidy agencies. The

methodology is expected to consider technologic, economic, social, spacial

and environmental factors. Since many of the factors involved can not at

present be expressed in numerical values, an initial phase of the project

consists of developing "measuring sticks" for selected major factors.

In regard to the final preevaluation method, Mr. Hettich expects that

for each performance attribute a lower acceptable performance level will

be established, together with a "lowest allowable total", this total being

greater than the sum of all lowest acceptable performance levels. Through

this method it will be possible for the designer or developer to effect

trade-offs which are expected to provide a needed flexibility not available with present "minimum property standards" system and which should

lead to both improved economics and a more varied supply of housing.

The "Institut fuer Hochbauforschung" (HBF) at ETH-Z is working on

the methodology for developing performance criteria in the area of housing

construction. While Mr. Hettich' s project is more oriented toward

habitability , the HBF project is more related to the physical aspects

of building materials, components, and parts.

4.4. Evaluation of Proposed Research Projects

Because FKW is sponsoring a relatively large number of research

projects, the need for an objective evaluation method for research proposals became apparent. Accordingly, Battelle Institute - Geneva, has

developed a comprehensive evaluation system.

The methodology calls for the consideration of various factors,

such as:

46
Frequency of potential applications - Number of housing units affected - number of rooms in

housing unit affected;

Degree of use of potential applications - Hours of use;

Potential construction cost savings;

Potential other benefits;

Likelihood of success.

The system is quite complex, but appears to be well thought out.

The major difficulties foreseen are lack of reliable numerical input data,

and the fact that the relative weight given to the various factors is

largely based on subjective judgment. Battelle recognizes that political

and other factors not considered in their study may, in specific cases,

be of even greater importance than the factors considered. However, the

system under development should be useful as a management tool for organizations required to evaluate and select research proposals.

4.5. Building Design

Substantial work is in progress in developing guidelines and recom- mendations for the design of housing units and their equipment.

Basic investigations on space requirements for various furniture and

equipment placements were made, largely to update earlier recommendations

as given in many architectural handbooks. The results of these investigations are also expected to be used in the housing evaluation studies.

An important position is taken by studies and investigations into

housing user needs, particularly for housing the aged, the infirm, and a group referred to as "social orphans", under which name are to be listed

single adults with dependents and persons with some mental handicap. For

example, unwed mothers would fall into this category. Most of these

studies are considered as interdisciplinary socio-economic problems.

An investigation into the physiological requirements as a basis for

building planning and design was undertaken by an interdisciplinary task

group under contract with FKW. The report of this work is a most complete,

and well documented paper on all those aspects of housing design which are directly related to physiological human needs.

4.6. Land Use and Planning

Land use and planning are both considered integral parts of the building and housing construction activity. Accordingly, the research in these areas also are integral parts of housing and building research.

47
The specific activities in land use and planning research are described under 2.3.b. Planning, on Page 9; 3.2.e. Institut fuer Crts-,

Regional-, und Landesplanung (ORL) , on Page 21; 3.17. Planning Bureau

of the City of Berne, on Page 38; and under 3.18. Delegation du Logement

du Canton de Geneve, on Page 39.

In general, research in land use and planning appeared to be well

developed, although many of the persons interviewed insisted that

British, Scandinavian, and U. S. planning research is further developed.

4.7. Feedback

Except for the largely promotion-oriented efforts of large builders

and one architectural firm, no organized system for collecting and coordinating performance information from newly built housing was found. However, the subject appeared to be of great interest to many persons and

organizations contacted. While most of those interviewed believed that

the information flow from designer to fabricator and erector generally

is well and successfully organized, the flow of information (experience)

in the other direction, that is from occupied building, erection site,

fabricating shop, to drawing room and design department is either nonexistant or largely left to accident. This flow used to be maintained

through personal site inspections and was not as critical as long as only

conventional building methods were used for which many years of experience

existed. It was pointed out that due to understaf f ing proper personal

inspections are no longer possible with the same frequency on one hand,

and that on the other, the increased use of new materials and building

methods as well as new planning principles has increased the need for

feedback. Although no research projects were found to exist, some work

in "feedback" systems may well be started in the near future.

4.8. Design Management

HBF of ETH-Z has been active for some time in a project on design

management functions, considering resources, time, cost, and other factors.

A state-of-art study of Swiss design management practices was completed

and showed great differences in management methods and philosophy between

not only larger and smaller offices, but also between offices of similar

size. In general, only the large offices have any organized method for

design management, and these use individually developed methods. The study

of present practices also involves a comparison with British practices (the

project architect being a British subject).

In a second stage it is planned to analyze in depth all phases of

design management, design philosophy, and possibly applicable management

systems and methodology from other areas of humian endeavor. Among other

approaches, the application of network management techniques and computer

based design aids will be studied and evaluated.

48
4.9. Building Accoustics

Projects in the area of building accoustics include studies of the

fundamentals of accoustic performance of buildings and applicable measurement techniques, and the development of a method of test for the sound

attenuation of windows. The purpose of this method was specifically

the evaluation of windows intended for applications in proximity to airports and runways. The development of a new method of test was needed

because it was found that the sound attenuation performance of exterior

elements such as windows can not be properly evaluated with the methods

commonly used for interior partitions or doors, as the sound from exterior

sources is directed, while the sound from interior sources is dispersed.

This work was developed at EMPA where also at present the only available

test equipment is located.

4.10. Testing and Certification

Switzerland does not at present have an agrement system for the

evaluation of innovative building systems, components, and materials.

However, EMPA does both certification and testing, and its certification

is accepted in general by building regulatory agencies.

In the testing area, EMPA has been active both in steel and in

concrete and masonry construction.

Of direct interest to the building construction industry is the work

in the development of a sampling method for evaluating concrete in com- pleted structures. The method consists of extracting small cores by boring

similar to the methods used for evaluating soil and rock conditions. The

new method has the advantage that the sampling process does not generally

weaken the structure as only small diameter cores are extracted, and that

it is possible to extract several samples from even small concrete building

parts. The reliability of the method is admitted to be somewhat inferior

to the conventional cylinder test methods (in Switzerland, conventional

concrete testing is conducted on cubes) , but still within acceptable limits

consistent with the approximate nature of the design assumption and the

inherently large material strength tolerances, particularly since the

small specimen size permits a greater number of samples to be tested.

Also in the area of concrete construction is the evaluation of

aggregate quality, particularly its purity. Although the importance of

using high-grade quality aggregates without impurities is recognized, it

is also recognized that often lower grades or impure aggregate have to be

used. EMPA is doing both research and service work in this area.

The work at EMPA on the performance of masonry compression members is

well known and is discussed in the open literature.

49
In the certification area, EMPA and, to a lesser degree, some of

the Institutes at EPF-L are strictly using "spot-check" methods. No

compliance or quality control activity is involved.

4.11. Transportation

Although transportation is not generally considered part of housing

or building research, it is part of planning and thus related to the

question of housing.

Switzerland has traditionally had a good public transportation

system and the high population density is contributing not only to the

maintenance of the existing system but to its expansion. Accordingly,

research in urban transportation appears well developed, for example:

On the technological level, EPF-L is active in the development of

entire transportation systems and of Innovative motors for such systems.

EPF-L also is cooperating with U. S. agencies working in this area. More

details of this cooperative program are given in the discussion of EPF-L

and its Institut of Transportation Technology.

On the planning level, Battelle Institute is developing a comprehensive transportation plan for the City and Canton of Geneva.

4.12. Building Laws and Codes

Current and completed work in this field can be divided into separate

but Interrelated areas:

Research Is being conducted into the legal and constitutional

aspects of building laws and codes with the objective to determine

the state-of-art and the means for influencing the development of

changes and revisions possibly required.

State-of-art studies of the technical content of the laws and

codes to determine both differences and similarities in the various

codes

.

Studies to determine the effect of legal and code restrictions

on building construction, particularly in regard to economic (cost)

effects, and directed towards industrialized building construction.

In regard to the third of these research areas, the research conducted

so far is said to indicate that little evidence exists to substantiate

the belief that building laws and codes constitute a major constraint on building activity or Industrialized construction, nor that laws and codes

substantially affect the building cost. It was further found that many

objections to the multiplicity of codes are in fact objections to the

50
higher requirements in some codes, and that a unification of the codes

at the higher performance level would not answer this criticism. Several

comments made by architects and other knowledgeable persons to this

investigator appear to substantiate the findings of these research studies

conducted by various ad hoc groups under the sponsorship of FKW.

4.13. Legal Aspects of Rental Housing

According to Swiss law, the renter has no rights on the property

Itself. For example, if an owner terminates a lease, the renter can only

sue for damages, but not for return of the rented object, nor for reinstallment of the lease. Various forms of relief in the area of apartment

leases are in effect since World War II, however, these were established

as temporary measures and have not altered the legal basis. New socioeconomic facts and standards are now pressuring for fundamental legal

changes. The project objective is to Investigate the present legal

situation in Switzerland and selected foreign countries (under others

also the United States) and to propose possible solutions based on new

legislation or regulation at either federal, cantonal (state) or local

levels.

The project is conducted at IREC of EPF-L.

4.14. Organization of Building Research

Sponsored by FKW and in cooperation with other organizations (CRB)

and individuals, Battelle Institute - Geneva, is currently developing

proposals for a "model" of future Swiss building research activities.

The first phase of this project Includes a detailed investigation of

present Swiss practices, foreign practices, and tentative suggestions for

alternative organizational structures. The first part parallels closely

the study of Swiss building research activities conducted by this investigator, but will be more detailed and in greater depth (the Battelle

Institute contract sum for this part is SFR 68,000 ($20,000)).

In a preliminary report issued by CRB to document the need for the

above study, it is claimed that today's Swiss building research activity

is Inadequate and that this opinion is held by most persons active in the

building industry. Specifically the following insufficiencies are mentioned: Too little research; research not coordinated; lack of

interdisciplinary research orientation; lack of educational opportunities

for building researchers. According to these inadequacies, the preliminary

CRB report not only demands a restructuring, but also advocates a substantial increase of the research activities.

4.15. Literature and Documentation

Most formal research reports are published by one or more of the

following organizations:

51
Forschungskominission Wohnungsbau (FKW)

Institut fuer Rationalisierung im Bauwesen (CRB)

Schweizerischer Ingenieur und Architekten Verein (SIA)

The sponsoring organization is not always the publishing agency if

publication by an other organization assures a wider distribution.

This investigator has collected a great number of research reports

and other publications. In addition, a number of abstracts and several

literature lists (bibliographies) were obtained. With few exceptions this

material is either in German or French, and will be incorporated in the

GET Library.

52
5. SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION

Within the limitations of a two week visit to Switzerland, a good

understanding was gained of that country's building research activities.

The information obtained in various interviews was supplemented by a brief study of the literature collected during the trip, and this report

reflects both sources.

Considering the size and resources of Switzerland, the country is

very active in building research. This activity is considered a vital

and integral part of the total effort to improve the housing situation.

The activity also appears well coordinated and directed by the Swiss

Federal Commission for Housing Research (FKW)

The single research projects are conducted by private, educational,

and non-profit organizations under federal contract to FKW. The projects

concern mainly the "software" aspects of the socio-economic housing

research areas. Substantial research is reported in the civil engineering

areas, but Swiss usage does not consider such research as part of housing

research. While both housing related "software", and engineering "hardware"

research is well developed, the interdisciplinary link between the two areas is developed to a lesser degree.

With regard to a possible cooperative program between CBT-NBS and

appropriate Swiss institutions, it appears that the American agencies would

most profit from work in the areas of both socio-economic "software" and

engineering "hardware". On the other hand, Switzerland may wish to consider

cooperative work related to the link between the above "software" and

"hardware" areas.

53
APPENDIX 1

Trip itinerary:

November 20, 1972 - Zurich

Institut fuer Bauberatung

Baudata Systematik (BDS)

Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule (E.T.H.)

Karl Steiner AG, General Contractors

November 21, 1972 - Zurich

Institut fuer Hochbauforschung (HBF)

Institut fuer Bauplanung und Baubetrieb (IBB)

Schweizerischer Ingenieur und Architekten Verein (S.I. A.)

November 22, 1972 - Zurich, Binz

Institut fuer Rationalisierung im Bauwesen (ORB)

Ernst Goehner AG, Builders and Developers

Mr. H. Litz, Architect

November 23, 1972 - St. Gallen /

Schweizerisches Institut fuer Aussenwirtschafts-,

Struktur-, und. Marktforschung

November 24, 1972 - Bern

Eidgenoessische Forschungskommission fuer Wohnungsbau (FKW)

Mr. Ed. Heifer, Architect

November 25, 1972 - Bern

Eidgenoessische Forschungskommission fuer Wohnungsbau (FKW)

November 27, 1972 - Bern

Eidgenoessische Forschungskommission fuer Wohnungsbau (FKW)

54
November 28, 1972 - Carouge, Genf

Battelle Institute

Delegation du Logement

November 29, 1972 - Bern, Basel

Planning Department of the City of Bern

Suter and Suter, Architects

November 30, 1972 - Lausanne

Ecole Polytechnique Federal - Lausanne (EPF)

Institut de Recherche Pour 1' Environnement Construite

December 1, 1972 - Duebendorf

Eidgenoessische Materialpruefungs - Anstalt (EMPA)

55
APPENDIX 2

Names and addresses of organizations and principal contact.

Battelle Institute

Rte. Drize 7 Carouge, Switzerland

^ Dr. M. Boerlin, Project Manager

Bauberatung, Institut fuer

Meyerstr. 14

8002 Zurich, Switzerland

Mr. H. Held, Director

Baudata Systematik (BDS)

Meyerstr. lA . * 8002 Zurich, Switzerland

Mr. H. Held, Acting Secretary . "

'

Bauplanung und Baubetrieb (IBB) , Institut fuer

Fliederstrasse 23

8006 Zurich, Switzerland

Prof. A. Pozzi, Director.

Delegation du Logement

Rue des Granges 5

Genf, Switzerland

Mr. P. Gilliand, Director

Ecole Polytechnique Federale - Lausanne (EPF)

Av. de Cour 33 . 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland

Prof. Dr. M. Cosandey, President

Eidgenoessische Forschungskommission fuer Wohnungsbau (FKW)

Weltpoststr. 4

3003 Bern, Switzerland

Dr. G. Koehn, Secretary

Eidgenoessische Forschungskommission fuer Wohnungsbau (FKW)

Schosshaldenstr . 22A

3006 Bern, Switzerland

Prof. J. W. Huber, President

Dr. Boerlin is reported to have been appointed Director of

IREC (EPF-L) in Spring, 1973.

56
Eidgenoessische Materialpruefungs - Anstalt (EMPA)

Ueberlandstr. 129

Duebendorf, Switzerland

Prof. Dr. T. H. Erisman, Director

Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule (E.T.H.)

Department of Architecture

Leonhardstr. 33 E

8006 Zurich, Switzerland

Mrs. T. Hetzler, Assistant to

Prof. V. Gunten, Department Head

Goehner AG, Ernst, Builders and Developers

Hegibachstr. 47

Zurich, Switzerland

Mr. R. A. Rietiker, Vice President

Heifer, Mr. Ed., Architect

Kasthoferstr . 31

Bern, Switzerland

Mr. Ed. Heifer, Principal

Hettich, Mr. U. , Architect

Thunstr. 95

3006 Bern, Switzerland

Mr. U. Hettich, Principal

Institut fuer Hochbauforschung (HBF)

Nelkenstr. 11

8006 Zurich, Switzerland

Prof. H. Kunz, Director

Litz, Mr. H. , Architect

Benglen-Fallanden

8122 Binz, Switzerland

Mr. H. Litz, Principal

Planning Department of the City of Bern

Schwarztorstr . 9

3003 Bern, Switzerland

Mr. H. Graf, Chief Planning Section

Institut fuer Rationalisierung im Bauwesen (CRB)

Sumatrastr. 15

8006 Zurich, Switzerland

Mr. H. Joss, Director

57
Recherche Pour 1' Envlronnement , Construite (IREC)

Institut de

61, Av. de Cour

Lausanne, Switzerland

^ Mr. M. Y. Maystre, Acting Director

Schweizerischer Ingenieur und Architekten Verein (S.I. A.)

Selnaustr. 16

8039 Zurich, Switzerland

Mr. C. Reinhard, Chief, Standards Publication

Schweizerisches Institut fuer Aussenwirtschaf ts-,

Struktur-, und Marktforschung

Dufourstr. 48

9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland

Mr. R. Jeker, Assistant to Prof. A. Nydegger, Director

of the Institute

Steiner AG, Karl, General Contractors

Oerlikon, Zurich, Switzerland

Mr. X. Bezozzi, Vice President

Suter and Suter, Architects

Engelgasse 12

400 Basel, Switzerland

Mr. M. Ritter, Chief, Dept. of Housing Construction

58
^ ORM NBS-1 14A n-'l)

U.S. DE PT. OF COMM. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. PUBLIC AI ION OR REPORl NO. NBSIR 73-288

2. Gov't Accession

No.

3. Recipient's .Ac c c- s.s ion .No.

4. TITLK AND SUBTi ri-H Swiss Building and Housing Research Activities

Status 1972

5. Publication Ilate August 1973

6. Performing Organization Code

7. AUTHOR(S)

Heinz Trechsel

8. Performing Organization

NBSIR 73-288

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

10. Project/Task/Work Unit No. 4633104

11. Contract/Grant No.

12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address

Same as No. 9

13. Type of Report & Period Covered

Final- 1973

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

16. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here.)

Following up earlier contacts of CBT management with representatives

of Swiss building research organizations, the author visited Switzerland

in the Fall of 1972 for two weeks.

This report discusses the results of meetings with representatives

of the Swiss Federal Commission for Housing Research (FKW) , major educational and research establishments, architects, contractors, builders,

and local building officials. Topics covered in the discussions included

building economics, modular coordination, pre-evaluation of performance

of housing projects, pre-evaluation of research projects, building design,

land use and planning, transportation, and building laws, codes, and standards.

It appears that cooperative programs in any or all of these areas could be

profitable to NBS , and to the corresponding Swiss organizations.

17. KEY WORDS (Alphabetical order, separated by semicolons)

Building research; buildings; cooperation; housing; international; Switzerland.

18. AVAILABILITY STATEMENT 19. SECURITY CLASS 21. NO. OF PAGES

(THIS REPORT)

UNLIMITED.

UNCLASSIFIED 58

1 1 FOR OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTION. DO NOT RELEASE 20. SECURITY CLASS 22. Price TO NTIS. (THIS PAGE)

UNCLASSIFIED

USCOMM-DC 66244-P71


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