In this paper, an experimental and numerical approach to the characterization of thermal bridges is presented. The need for this characterization was found within an experimental study in a 2 floor high façade. This façade was constructed with 3 concrete elements which were placed in it to produce a similar thermal bridge effect to the one created by floor slabs traditional building construction in Spain.Commonly applied thermal assessments perform one-dimensional heat transfer analysis over planar elements such as the façades studied in this experiment. However, it is well known that thermal bridges are locations in buildings where one-dimensional heat transfer analysis can not be applied.This problem was approached by creating a numerical 2D thermal model which was calibrated against experimental data from several temperature and heat flux sensors which were locate at specific points in the thermal bridge elements.

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KUBIK is aimed to the development of new concepts, products and services to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. The main characteristic of KUBIK is the capability to built realistic scenarios to analyse the energy efficiency obtained from the holistic interaction of the constructive solution for the envelope, the intelligent management of the climatisation and lighting systems and the supply from renewable energy sources. The R&D infrastructure consists of a building able to provide up to 500 m2 distributed in an underground floor, a ground floor and up to two storeys; the main dimensions are 10,00 m. width x 10,00 m. length x 10,00 meter high (plus and underground floor 3,00 m. depth). The supply of energy is based on the combination of conventional and renewable energy (geothermic, solar and wind). In addition, the building is equipped with a monitoring and control system which provides the necessary information for the R&D activities. KUBIK's main structure provides an experimental, adaptable and reconfigurable infrastructure to create the indoor environments to analyse and to allow the assembly of the constructive solutions for the envelope, floors and partitions which performance must to be assessed under realistic conditions.