Scientific and Technical Centre for the Construction Sector

Set up in 1947, the CSTB is a public institution with industrial and commercial goals falling under the supervision of the Minister of Housing and the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing.

Focusing on innovation in the construction sector, the CSTB exercises four key activities: research, expert assessment, evaluation and dissemination of knowledge, which have been organised to respond to sustainable development challenges in the construction sector. Its fields of expertise cover construction products, buildings and their integration into districts of towns and cities.

With 909 employees, its subsidiaries and network of national, European and international partners, the CSTB is at the disposal of all construction sector stakeholders for the improvement of the quality and safety of buildings.

Certified by the Carnot Institute in 2006, the CSTB brings together, develops and pools with construction stakeholders, the fundamental scientific and technical knowledge required to guarantee the quality and safety of buildings and their environment. It both serves citizens and meets sustainable development challenges.

The CSTB Carnot Institute mobilises its skills set and organises research around 6 scientific and technical priorities:

From 'neighbourhoods' to the Sustainable City

        Providing the construction sector and local authorities with the tools and methods needed for sustainable urban development.

Sustainable buildings

Providing the know-how to build, manage and restore sustainable buildings throughout the building's lifetime.

Usage-Health–Comfort

Reducing the impact of the urban environment and buildings on health and improving comfort while meeting the environmental challenge and changing usage patterns.

Risk management

Reducing building vulnerability to ensure the safety of end users and works while meeting the challenge of risk management.

Change in the construction sector

Analysing modes of functioning, suggesting innovative processes required to meet the commitments of the Grenelle Environmental Forum

Simulation and digital tools

Developing and adapting digital tools for sustainable construction.

Means at the CSTB's disposal:

The Carnot Institute CSTB brings together CSTB teams involved in R&D and its promotion. It promotes and facilitates innovation for various construction stakeholders by drawing on laboratory facilities and the CSTB's large-scale research equipment.

• Support for R&D from socio-economic stakeholders as part of a systematic approach to help them to increase their markets and satisfy new requirements
• Mobilisation of research partners with the best research teams in France and internationally

Large-scale research equipment:

• the Jules VERNE wind tunnel (real size experiments on the behaviour of buildings and construction components under any climatic conditions)
• the Le CORBUSIER® immersion room (modelling and simulation of physical phenomena, 3D representation, augmented reality)
• the large-scale ARIA research equipment (laboratories and experimental facilities for the study of the sanitation quality of products, equipment and building works)
• Aquasim (research and testing platform designed for life size experimentation and simulation of the water cycle, as part of the building-land-environment system)

The CSTB has contributed to the creation of innovative subsidiaries:

• CertiVéA: Certification of construction companies and works
• ACOUSTB: Studies of the acoustic environment
• CEQUAMI: Housing certification
• Eiffel aerodynamic: applied aerodynamics and industrial ventilation
• Certita: product certification systems and HVAC
• Certisolis TC: certification of electrical performance of photovoltaics (solar cells)