The Building Research Establishment (BRE) was established in 1921. Since then it has been engaged in world leading research into virtually every aspect of the built environment.

Originally established as the Building Research Station (BRS), it was tasked by the then government to develop improved building methods and materials to produce the high quality homes desperately needed across the UK. Some of the earliest successes of the BRS were studies into the behaviour of reinforced concrete in floors and the development of the British Standard for bricks.

Over the years this work continued, expanded and developed. Research was undertaken into fire safety and also into the effect of climate variations across the UK. Like most similar government departments it became an Executive Agency in the early 1990’s before being privatised in 1997.

Today the Building Research Establishment, BRE, exists for the public benefit. The profits from BRE Group businesses are gift-aided to the BRE Trust, who in turn invest in research projects for the public benefit, carried out by the BRE Group, other research partners and by a number of Universities across the UK where the Trust funds PhD studentships. More details are available on the BRE Trust Website.

Further information about the BRE Group of businesses can be found at www.bregroup.com.