With Building Type E, construction is intended to become simpler, faster and—above all—more affordable. By dispensing with certain construction standards, building costs can be reduced. “This works when we focus on what really matters: compact floor plans, robust materials, and letting go of the frills that drive up costs,” emphasises Building Minister Verena Hubertz. “Pilot projects already demonstrate this: natural ventilation instead of complex systems, fewer massive walls, serial construction with lean structures. Standards that aren’t absolutely necessary can be waived to simplify planning and construction for everyone. That gives more freedom—and lowers costs.”
With their joint key issues paper, the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection (BMJV) and the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) provide the framework needed to introduce and apply Building Type E in practise. This should apply to both new construction and building in existing structures. Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection Dr. Stefanie Hubig explains: “With the Building Type E contract, we want to create a practical way to forgo high construction standards—if all contracting parties agree. Experts are convinced: This can lead to significant cost savings. That is crucial at a time when affordable housing is scarce.”
The key issues paper essentially includes:
“Creation of a Building Type E contract”
– A simple, low-bureaucracy way to conclude a Building Type E contract that legally permits simplified construction standards
– Connection to the technical building regulations of the federal states
– Where state technical building regulations do not provide rules, a simplified standard is possible
– Deviations from recognized technical rules do not constitute a defect
– Consumer protection remains ensured
– If contracting parties do not conclude a Building Type E contract, standard construction requirements apply“Establishing Building Type E in practice”
– Disseminate and make knowledge about Building Type E accessible: evaluate pilot projects and make results available to the professional community
– Create a best-practise collection (projects and contracts)
– Provide examples for planning and construction based on research, Bavarian pilot projects, the Schleswig-Holstein Standard E, and the Hamburg Standard
Federal states, expert groups and associations will exchange views on the key issues. Based on this, practical legislative regulations for a Building Type E contract will be developed.
To the full key issues paper published by BMJV and BMWSB (German only)
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