Building Physics

Thermal Building Physics & Energy Optimization

At its core, this area of our business consists of providing fundamental services in the disciplines of building physics, thermal insulation and energy balance sheet preparation. It also involves optimising the energy demand of structures and planning for/consulting on designs that require no advanced building physics analysis.

We define and coordinate the building components that make up the thermal envelope — particularly with regard to the necessary insulation values — and refine and evaluate the energy concept as required.

This scope of services also includes considering thermal bridges and conducting hygrothermal building component simulations. These are vital prerequisites for meeting established sustainability targets, especially when it comes to energy-efficient renovations and the construction of Efficiency Houses.

Where applicable, we can advise you on available funding opportunities and any relevant adjustments that need to be made in the concept and planning stages of your project.

At Werner Sobek, building physics forms an integral part of the work we do on sustainability consulting, simulations and structural and facade planning. This means we are always in a position to develop emission-optimised solutions for our clients.

Component services:

• Developing the fundamental energy specifications for a project
• Demonstrating the potential for the use of renewable energy in a project
• Capturing building envelope data and creating models
• Energy balance sheet preparation (Hottengroth, Dämmwerk, etc.) incl. technical building services mapping
• Thermal bridge analyses (2D, 3D)
• Hygrothermal building component simulations
• Consulting on BEG funding opportunities (BEG = Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings)
• Building physics consulting

Urban, Building and Room Acoustics

This area of our business encompasses the provision of basic and specialised building physics services in the disciplines of building acoustics (noise control) and room acoustics. Building acoustics involves defining structural component assemblies and coordinating them to achieve the desired or required acoustic comfort class. The building components that are examined in this context include facades, partition walls and — in particular — separating floors.

For its part, room acoustics involves defining the surfaces that enclose a space (suspended ceilings, floor coverings and wall coverings/surfaces where applicable) and coordinating them to create the most comfortable, acoustically healthy environment possible. Our work on building and room acoustics is further complemented by post-occupancy evaluations and the use of simulations (e.g. room acoustics simulations and simulations carried out for expert immission reports). We also provide consulting for master plans regarding matters of sound propagation and the acoustic comfort of outdoor spaces. At Werner Sobek, the field of acoustics is closely intertwined with the disciplines of structural, facade and sustainability planning. This allows us consistently to devise holistic solutions that feature integral emission-reduction measures.

Component services:

• Building acoustics consulting and verification management (noise control)
• Room acoustics consulting and verification management
• Simulations of significant external noise levels in accordance with DIN 4109
• Simulations and verification in accordance with the Technical Instructions on Noise Abatement (TA Lärm)
• Room acoustics simulations for open-plan offices and other spatial configurations
• Developing alternatives and optimisation strategies