Holzbau Deutschland Institut e. V.

What Holzbau Deutschland Institut e. V. does

Holzbau Deutschland Institut e. V. is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein), founded in 1990 and headquartered in Berlin at Kronenstraße 55-58. Operating with an 8-person interdisciplinary team of engineers, master carpenters, and building-physics specialists, the institute functions as the think tank and innovation engine of Holzbau Deutschland – Bund Deutscher Zimmermeister within the Zentralverband des Deutschen Baugewerbes. Its purpose is to bridge timber-construction research and practice by coordinating R&D, participating in standards development (DIN NA 005-04; CEN/TC 124; CEN/TC 250 SC 5), and serving as a neutral technical authority on building code, fire protection, sound insulation, wood protection, and lifecycle topics.

The institute's service portfolio is anchored in three pillars. First, the Informationsdienst Holz publication program delivers the holzbau handbuch reference series, Fachregeln des Zimmererhandwerks, Technik im Holzbau, and a Brandschutz-FAQ knowledge base. Second, the free Fachberatung Holzbau is a direct expert-consulting channel for architects, engineers, building authorities, and timber construction contractors, with more than 19,200 projects advised since the service was relaunched in 2014 and 1,562 projects in 2025 alone. Third, digital planning tools—including Holzbau-Planungstools (Holzschutz and Luftdichtheit), the interactive DIN 4109-2 outdoor-noise verification tool, and the eLCA plus lifecycle comparison module—bring parts of the institute's standards work into SaaS-like workflows, often co-developed with GHAD, monospace, 3N Kompetenzzentrum, and research partners such as TH Rosenheim, HFT Stuttgart, and Fraunhofer IBP.

Revenue is not disclosed. The institute is funded by membership dues from the Landesverbände of Holzbau Deutschland and by contributions from Förderpartner (ISOCELL, Deutsche Rockwool, STEICO, MOLL, Adolf Würth, GUTEX, Pelemedia, among others). Most outputs—publications, planning tools, and consulting—are free at point of use; printed reference works are sold through Fördergesellschaft für Holzbau und Ausbau mbH. The 2019-launched WHBplus initiative, coordinating R&D with BDF, DHV, DeSH, Holzbau Deutschland, and Studiengemeinschaft Holzleimbau, formalizes the institute's industry-wide convening role, while regulatory engagement (including PRB Project Group 4 on Eurocode 5 usability) sits on the member-paid cost base.

Name

Holzbau Deutschland Institut e. V.

Legal name

Holzbau Deutschland Institut e.V.

Website

https://institut-holzbau.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Holzbau Deutschland Institut e. V. is a Berlin-based non-profit think tank coordinating research, standards work, and free expert consulting for the German timber construction industry via 11 member state associations and the WHBplus industry initiative.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Timber Construction Research & Consulting

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Timberland Asset Management & Consulting (AFAMAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Controlled Wood / Due Diligence / Risk Assessment Services (AFAMALAC)

Keywords

• Timber construction consulting
• Construction standards development
• Building physics advisory
• Wood protection planning
• Life cycle assessment tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The institute is funded by member associations (Landesverbände der Berufsorganisation Holzbau Deutschland – Bund Deutscher Zimmermeister) representing the German timber construction trade. Membership forms the financial base of operations.
2. Förderpartner Contributions: Supported by Förderpartner (promotional partners) including Deutscher Holzbau and others, contributing to activities that promote the technical and ecological potential of wood as a building material.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The institute coordinates industry-wide timber construction research and development, delivers free expert consulting (Fachberatung) to architects, engineers, and building authorities, and publishes authoritative technical guidance including the holzbau handbuch series and web-based planning tools for wood protection, air tightness, and life cycle assessment. It also participates in national and European standards committees (DIN, CEN) for timber construction and serves as the coordination office for the WHBplus initiative.

Product overview

Holzbau Deutschland Institut e. V. operates as a think tank and innovation engine for the timber construction industry, offering a portfolio of technical publications, web-based digital planning tools, and expert consulting services. The core offering centers on the 'Informationsdienst Holz' information service, which publishes the 'holzbau handbuch' series covering specialized topics such as timber panel construction, fire protection, sound insulation, wood protection, and building physics. Complementing publications are digital tools including the Holzbau-Planungstools web platform (with modules for wood protection concepts and air tightness concepts) and the eLCA plus module for life cycle assessment. The institute also provides expert consulting services, develops technical standards and guidelines (Fachregeln), and coordinates research initiatives through the 'Wachstumsmarkt Holz | Bau Plus' platform. The organization functions as a bridge between science and practice in timber construction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• INFORMATIONSDIENST HOLZ: A free advisory service for architects, engineers, public and private construction decision-makers, and practitioners in timber construction. Provides technical guidance from conceptual building design questions to execution details.
• Wachstumsmarkt Holz | Bau plus (WHBplus)

Products and services

• Informationsdienst Holz
• holzbau handbuch series
• Fachberatung Holzbau (Expert Consulting Service)
• Holzbau-Planungstools (Web-based Planning Tools)
• Holzbauplanung – Kompendium für die Praxis
• Planungstool Holzschutz (Wood Protection Planning Tool)
• Interaktives Nachweistool für Außenlärm (Interactive Outdoor Noise Verification Tool)
• Brandschutz-FAQ (Fire Protection FAQ)
• Wachstumsmarkt Holz | Bau Plus Initiative (WHBplus)
• Holzschutz – Bauliche Maßnahmen (Wood Protection Publication)
• eLCA plus
• Fachregeln des Zimmererhandwerks
• Technik im Holzbau (Technology in Timber Construction)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 19,200 projects advised since 2014; 1,562 projects in 2025 alone through the free Fachberatung Holzbau
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Wachstumsmarkt Holz | Bau plus (WHBplus)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe institute serves as the coordination office for WHBplus, an initiative launched in 2019 that coordinates national R&D projects across the timber construction industry. Founding members include BDF, DHV, DeSH, Holzbau Deutschland, and Studiengemeinschaft Holzleimbau. The initiative focuses on fire protection, sound insulation, structural stability, resource efficiency, and lifecycle assessment.
• Holzbau Deutschland – Bund Deutscher ZimmermeistercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization and key strategic partner. The institute acts as the think tank and innovation engine for Holzbau Deutschland – Bund Deutscher Zimmermeister within the Zentralverband des Deutschen Baugewerbes. The partnership encompasses joint standards development, publications, Fachregeln, and the Fachberatung.
• Informationsverein Holz e. V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-publisher of the Informationsdienst Holz, the definitive technical publication platform for the German timber construction sector. The institute contributes content and manages the Fachberatung under this label.
• Timber Construction EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean umbrella organization for timber construction. The institute participates in its activities and contributes to European standards development alongside this partner.
• Gütegemeinschaft Holzbau-Ausbau-Dachbau e. V. (GHAD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the development of web-based planning tools (holzbau-planungstools.de) for wood protection concepts and air tightness concepts, supporting member companies in quality assurance and self-monitoring.
• Initiative Praxisgerechte Regelwerke im Bauwesen e. V. (PRB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe institute participates in the PRB initiative, particularly in Project Group 4 (Holzbau), which works on improving the ease of use of Eurocode 5 through pre-normative work and coordinated with national and European standards bodies.
• TH Rosenheim (Technische Hochschule Rosenheim)majorTechnology or IntegrationKey academic partner in multiple R&D projects including sound insulation research (Schallschutz), hybrid construction (Bauakustik im Hybridbau), and the FH-IPTOOLS project for noise prediction from building services in timber buildings.
• HFT Stuttgart (Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart)majorTechnology or IntegrationAcademic partner in research on hybrid construction combining timber walls with concrete ceilings for multi-story buildings, developing prediction methods for sound insulation.
• Fraunhofer-Institut für Bauphysik IBPmajorTechnology or IntegrationResearch partner in the SKH-CO2 project developing a psychoacoustic classification system for sound insulation in CO2-binding construction methods (timber construction), including hearing tests and occupant satisfaction surveys.
• Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the Hochschultage Holzbau and partner in the Holzbau-Initiative des Bundes. FNR manages the coordination office for the federal timber construction initiative on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMELH).
• IQUH (Initiative Qualität im Umwelt- und Holzschutz)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuality initiative for environmental and wood protection, listed as a partner organization of the institute.
• Bundesverband Deutscher Fertigbau e.V. (BDF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of WHBplus and partner in multiple research projects including Feuchtemanagement, Holzschutz, and sound insulation research. Represents the German prefabricated building industry.
• Deutscher Holzfertigbau-Verband e.V. (DHV)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of WHBplus and co-publisher of the Holztafelbau publication and the Holzbauplanung Kompendium. Active partner in fire protection, sound insulation, and moisture management research.
• Deutsche Säge- und Holzindustrie Bundesverband e.V. (DeSH)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of WHBplus and partner in the Holzschutz and Feuchtemanagement research projects. Represents the German sawmill and wood industry.
• Studiengemeinschaft Holzleimbau e.V.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of WHBplus and co-author of the Holztafelbau publication and Erdbebenbemessung project. Also supports the Hochschultage Holzbau event. Represents the glulam timber industry.
• ift RosenheimmajorTechnology or IntegrationTesting and certification institute partner in multiple research projects on sound insulation (vertical flanking transmission, green roofs) and earthquake design for timber structures.
• Holzbau Deutschland LeistungspartnerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of performance partners including ISOCELL, DEUTSCHE ROCKWOOL, STEICO, MOLL, Adolf Würth, GUTEX, and Pelemedia, supporting the institute's technical and promotional activities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Timber Construction Europe: European umbrella organization for timber construction that the institute participates in and supports. Closely aligned at the European standards and policy level, serving as a sister federation for cross-border timber construction advocacy.
• Holzforschung Austria: Austrian timber construction research and consulting institute operating a comparable think-tank model for the Austrian timber industry. Closest functional peer given shared DACH-region context, similar mix of research coordination, publications, and technical advisory services.

Broad incumbents

• Forest Products Laboratory (USDA Forest Service): Long-established US government research laboratory conducting physical and biological research on wood and forest products. Comparable as a forestry/timber research body, but operating at much larger scale and with broader scope including forest products science beyond construction.
• Fraunhofer-Institut für Bauphysik IBP: Major German applied research institute covering building physics, acoustics, and energy efficiency, with established collaboration with the Holzbau Deutschland Institut on timber construction projects. Comparable in providing authoritative technical R&D for the German construction sector but operating as part of the larger Fraunhofer network.

Regional players

• Forest & Wood Products Australia: Australian industry-funded research and development organization for the forest and wood products sector. Comparable in the non-profit, membership-funded R&D coordination model serving a national timber industry.
• Federation of the Finnish Woodworking Industries: Finnish timber industry association coordinating R&D, standards influence, and member services for wood products manufacturers. Similar in serving as the convening and knowledge-dissemination body for a national timber sector.
• Canadian Wood Council / Wood WORKS!: Canadian federation representing wood products manufacturers providing technical resources, publications, and educational outreach for timber construction professionals. Comparable as a national umbrella knowledge and advocacy body.
• Swedish Wood (Skogsindustrierna): Swedish timber industry's knowledge and promotion organization providing technical publications, design tools, and standards support for the Scandinavian market. Comparable as a national-level timber knowledge hub with international reach.
• WoodWorks – Wood Products Council: US non-profit initiative providing free technical support, education, and design resources for architects and engineers specifying wood in commercial and multi-story buildings. Direct functional analog in the North American market.
• Lignum (Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für das Holz): Swiss umbrella organization for the timber industry coordinating research, publications, and standards work analogous to Holzbau Deutschland Institut. Serves the same function for Switzerland's timber construction sector.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/holzbau-deutschland-institut

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Holzbau Deutschland Institut e. V.