Director
Phone:
+49 711 685 66577
Our Mock-Ups
In spring 2024, the construction site for three walk-in test buildings, known as “mock-ups,” was set up and construction began. The mock-ups have a floor plan of more than 9 m² and a height of 3 m. Various facade systems are being implemented:
- 1x masonry with ETICS (0.16 m EPS insulation) and exterior plaster
- 1x masonry (0.16 m wood fiber insulation) with VHF, weather protection layer made of larch
- 1x timber construction (total insulation 0.22 m wood fiber insulation), also rear-ventilated with a curtain-type weather protection layer made of larch
Depending on the construction method, the penetration of water between the Habitat system and the facade is prevented by means of tape or drip plates. Since the Habitat systems are integrated into the exterior wall and thus interrupt the insulation, they are additionally insulated with phenolic resin panels.
In the case of rear-ventilated facades, the Habitat systems are architecturally concealed; an attractive look that makes it easier for residents to accept. To ensure optimal acceptance and support from the people who will later live in the buildings with our system, we will soon be conducting additional research on inhabited test buildings to find the balance between safety and damage-free building envelopes, ecologically favorable conditions for insects, and the concerns of society.
Material and Construction
A wide variety of nesting aid materials supports many species of wild bees.
Image: (c) IABP, University of Stuttgart
Hardwood, tubes (bamboo and reed), and dead wood are suitable materials. Due to the risk of injury, it is important to ensure that nesting tunnels are clean and sufficiently deep (ideally at least 10 cm).
Image: (c) IABP, University of Stuttgart
The hardwood used has drill holes of varying diameters to provide nesting opportunities for both large and small wild bees.
Image: (c) IABP, University of Stuttgart
The cavities are intended to provide a place for various insects, such as lacewings, to hibernate. A colony of bumblebees may also feel at home here.
Image: (c) IABP, University of Stuttgart
Some wild bees that live in steep walls thrive in loess-rich soil. Other species can use the material to build partitions or seal nesting tunnels, as open areas of soil are rare in urban environments.
Image: (c) IABP, University of Stuttgart
Pictures showing the Progress of Construction
Tailored Information is available on the following Pages:
Project Management
Contact Persons at IABP
Elternzeit
Phone:
+49 711 685 65629
ZIRIUS Contact Persons
Project Duration
July 2023 – November 2026
Total Funding Volume
975,752 Euro
Project Funding
German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV),
German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN),
German Federal Biological Diversity Program
State
Baden-Württemberg
Funding Information
The UrbanInsects project is funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation as part of the Federal Biological Diversity Program with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection.
This website reflects the views and opinions of the recipient of funding from the Federal Biological Diversity Program and does not necessarily reflect the views of the funding provider.
