Stichting Bouwresearch History, Role & Merger Explained

Quick answer

Stichting Bouwresearch was a Dutch foundation established in 1959 to support innovation in construction methods. It worked closely with industry partners to publish practical standards, conduct research, and develop technical expertise. In 2013, it merged with CURnet to form SBRCURnet, becoming a central knowledge hub for Dutch construction.

The Legacy of Stichting Bouwresearch: From Post-War Roots to SBRCURnet

The post-World War II era was a time of massive reconstruction and innovation. To meet the growing demand for advanced building practices, the Stichting Bouwresearch (Building Research Foundation) was founded in 1959. Its mission: to support and modernize the Dutch construction sector through research, standards, and shared expertise.

Throughout its history, the foundation helped small construction firms adopt innovative methods—especially in concrete technology—and provided guidance on everything from structural vibrations to cost management. After decades of impactful work, Stichting Bouwresearch merged with CURnet in 2013, creating SBRCURnet, a vital knowledge center operating from Delft University of Technology.

In this post, we explore the foundation’s history, its publications, and the long-term impact it had on Dutch construction practices.

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Key Facts about Stichting Bouwresearch

Origins of Stichting Bouwresearch

Rebuilding the Nation Post-War

After WWII, the Netherlands faced a housing crisis and widespread infrastructure damage. To rebuild efficiently, a scientific approach to construction became necessary. This urgency led to the formation of Stichting Bouwresearch in 1959, with a focus on modern building techniques.

At the same time, small firms dominated the construction sector. Many lacked technical knowledge and needed guidance to keep pace with new materials—especially reinforced and prestressed concrete. Stichting Bouwresearch helped bridge this knowledge gap.

The Role of CUR: The Foundation’s Older Counterpart

Founded in 1952, CUR (Centrum voor Uitvoering, Regelgeving en Onderzoek) had similar goals. It provided technical knowledge and implementation guidance for infrastructure and civil engineering. Both CUR and Stichting Bouwresearch were part of the same wave of post-war modernization.

They collaborated informally for decades before their formal merger into SBRCURnet in 2013.

Focus Areas and Key Contributions

1. Reinforced Concrete Innovation

One of the Foundation’s main priorities was research into concrete behavior and stress loads. The material was widely used but not well understood at the time.

• Research projects clarified the mechanics of reinforced and prestressed concrete.
• These insights were passed on to builders via reports, seminars, and manuals.

2. Standardization of Construction Practices

To create consistency across projects, the Foundation developed technical standards and reference documents.

Well-known standards:

• SBR Reference Details: design templates for walls, floors, facades
• Vibration Standards: limits for building system vibrations
• Material Flow Guides: logistics management on construction sites

3. Publications and Educational Materials

Stichting Bouwresearch published many influential resources:

• Books on construction financing, policy, and project management
• Information sheets for engineers and site managers
• Recommendations on building security and energy efficiency

These publications were often used by municipalities, contractors, and architecture firms.

Organizational Changes and Rebranding

In 2003, Stichting Bouwresearch was renamed SBR, reflecting a more modern image.

• At that time, ~50 employees worked under Engineer Jack de Leeuw.
• The rebranding helped increase the Foundation’s visibility among younger engineers and professionals.

However, rapid changes in the construction sector required a stronger institutional backbone. This led to a merger.

Formation of SBRCURnet in 2013

In 2013, SBR merged with CURnet to form SBRCURnet. This new organization was housed at the Bouwcampus at Delft University of Technology.

Under Jeannette Baljeu’s leadership, SBRCURnet became a respected knowledge partner for construction innovation.

Main Activities:

• Collaborated with expert committees to publish new guidelines
• Provided free and paid content for builders, researchers, and regulators
• Worked on-site to test and refine innovations in real-world projects

Well-known SBRCURnet products include:

• CUR Recommendations
• SBR Standard Details
• Updated Building Security Protocols

Impact on Dutch Construction

Boosting Innovation

Stichting Bouwresearch introduced a scientific mindset into construction. By connecting academia, industry, and policymakers, it helped create:

• A safer, more efficient construction industry
• Faster adoption of digital tools and prefabrication methods
• Guidelines that reduced errors and improved structural performance

Supporting SMEs

Most Dutch construction firms in the mid-20th century were small. The Foundation offered:

• Shared learning environments
• Publicly accessible research
• Simplified technical documentation

This democratized innovation and made the sector more competitive.

Conclusion

Stichting Bouwresearch wasn’t just a research body—it was a catalyst for industry change. From standardizing concrete practices to publishing essential design references, its legacy is embedded in the Dutch construction fabric. Today, its successor SBRCURnet continues this mission, ensuring that knowledge flows as freely as the materials on a building site.

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