Building the Future: How Bauhütte 4.0 and Fraunhofer IPK Are Revolutionizing Urban Timber Construction

Bauhütte 4.0 research and development project, by CHORA Conscious City TU-Berlin, and Fraunhofer IPK.

Prof. Raoul Bunschoten, TU Berlin Prof. Dr.Ing. Holger Kohl, FRAUNHOFER IPK SENIOR TEAM: Svenja Binz Martin Bittmann Nicole Oertwig Moritz Maria Hanshans Lucas Krupp Leonard Schrage VIDEO AND CONTENT CREATED BY: Katherine Eynon Tan Phong Nguyen Heiko Rehage Ueli Saluz Kinan Sarakbi Alejandro Palacio Siebe Aniko Anthony Strutz

In Berlin's Schumacher Quartier, a transformative initiative redefines sustainable urban development.  In 2020, Fraunhofer IPK, the Bauhütte 4.0, helped develop the project, integrating Industry 4.0 technologies with timber construction to create a climate-friendly, affordable housing model.​

A Vision for Sustainable Urban Living

Schumacher Quartier aims to provide over 5,000 homes for more than 10,000 residents, positioning itself as the world's largest urban timber construction project. The district embodies a commitment to sustainability, with the initial construction phase requiring at least 50% timber usage, a figure set to increase in subsequent phases. ​

Integrating Industry 4.0 in Construction

Fraunhofer IPK's approach leverages digitalization and automation to enhance efficiency and precision in timber construction. By employing Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twins, the project ensures seamless integration from design to manufacturing. This digital infrastructure facilitates high levels of prefabrication, reducing construction time and material waste. 

Bauhütte 4.0: A Modern Interpretation of Traditional Craftsmanship

Drawing inspiration from the medieval Bauhütte tradition, Bauhütte 4.0 serves as a centralized hub for innovation in timber construction. It is located within Berlin TXL—The Urban Tech Republic and functions as a research and development center, production facility, and open-city lab. The initiative fosters collaboration among architects, engineers, and manufacturers to develop scalable, sustainable building solutions. ​

Max Rudolph, MA Thesis Projekt, FG CHORA, TU Berlin.

Environmental Impact and Regional Integration

The project emphasizes using locally sourced timber from Brandenburg and Berlin forests, promoting sustainable forestry practices and reducing transportation emissions. This regional approach not only supports the local economy but also aligns with broader climate goals by minimizing the carbon footprint of construction materials. 

A Blueprint for Future Urban Development

Schumacher Quartier and Bauhütte 4.0 represent a paradigm shift in urban planning and construction. By integrating advanced digital technologies with sustainable materials and practices, they offer a replicable model for cities worldwide aiming to achieve climate neutrality and housing affordability.​

Explore More

For a deeper understanding of the project's scope and innovations, watch the detailed presentation available here:https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiNzY2YzIwM2UtNDhhYS00NzIwLThkYmYtNThjMzBmNWJlNmVjIiwidCI6IjExMTliYjkwLTg4YmEtNDg5NC1iN2YxLWRlMjZlMTI5ZDk3NyIsImMiOjR9&pageName=ReportSection

References

Fraunhofer IPK. (2020, June 17). Sustainable architecture relies on Industry 4.0 technologies. Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology IPK. https://www.ipk.fraunhofer.de/de/medien/presseinformationen/20200617-nachhaltige-architektur-setzt-auf-industrie-40-technologien.html

Fraunhofer IPK. (2022). City of tomorrow – Schumacher Quartier: The future of sustainable building in urban spaces. FUTUR Magazine. https://www.ipk.fraunhofer.de/en/media/futur/futur-2022-1/city-of-tomorrow.html

Living Systems. (n.d.). Bauhütte 4.0 – Collaborative innovation for sustainable construction. https://www.living.systems/bauhuette/

Schumacher Quartier. (2023). Timber construction in Schumacher Quartier [PDF]. https://schumacher-quartier.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/221123_Holzbau_EN.pdf

Center for Sustainable Future of European Projects (CSFEP). (n.d.). Our work: Bauhütte 4.0. https://www.csfep.org/our-work-bauhuette

CHORA TU-Berlin (2021, November 8). Sustainable urban development – Schumacher Quartier and Bauhütte 4.0 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RgDY3NX-MY