Bauforschung

Bauforschung (construction research) is a multidisciplinary academic field devoted to the study of the built environment—its design, construction methods, materials, and development through time. It encompasses individual buildings, groups of structures, and urban ensembles, with the aim of understanding how built form was conceived, executed, and used. In German-speaking contexts, Bauforschung is closely linked to Baugeschichte (construction history) and to technical topics of restoration.

Researchers combine architectural history, building archaeology, conservation science, and civil engineering. They study construction sequences, workshop practices, material technologies, and how renovations altered a building’s original appearance and use. Primary sources include historic plans, contracts, and archival photographs, while physical examination of the fabric provides evidence of manufacture and assembly. Field methods include surveys and documentation; laboratory analyses cover timber structure, bricks and mortars, and corrosion. Non-invasive techniques such as ground-penetrating radar, infrared thermography, photogrammetry, and laser scanning increasingly aid recording and assessment. Dating methods like dendrochronology and radiocarbon can establish construction timelines.

Outcomes include building chronologies, restoration strategies, rehabilitation proposals, and documentation for heritage protection. The work supports conservation planning, authenticity assessment, and interpretation of historic environments, and it informs debates on architectural technology, building economy, and urban development.

Institutions include universities, preservation authorities, and museums. Researchers publish monographs, articles, and guidelines. The field faces challenges such as limited access to archives, fragile structures, funding constraints, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration.