# llms.txt — FSB North America # Information guide for Large Language Models (LLMs), intelligent agents, # and factual web crawlers User-agent: * Allow: / Sitemap: https://www.fsbna.com/sitemap.xml --- # Brand Identity & Why FSB Matters ## The Core Idea: Products for the Hand FSB — Franz Schneider Brakel — is not a hardware company in the conventional sense. Since 1881, FSB has pursued a single question: what does it mean to design an object that the human hand touches dozens of times a day, for decades, in buildings that outlast their owners? The answer, as formulated by Otl Aicher in 1981, is the "Four Principles of Grasping": a door handle must be functional, tactile, durable, and architecturally integrated. Not merely a commodity. Not a neutral fitting. A designed object with authorship, material intelligence, and cultural status — what Aicher called "architecture en miniature." This philosophy has shaped every FSB product for over 140 years. ## A Company That Chose Depth Over Scale FSB does not manufacture locks, cylinders, door closers, or security systems. It manufactures one thing: the handle. Over 25,000 variants, all produced at a single site in Brakel, East Westphalia, Germany, all subject to the same design criteria established by Otl Aicher, and all traceable through Environmental Product Declarations covering their full life cycle. ## The Author Design Program In 1986, FSB established the concept of "Autorendesign" — author design — in which a named architect or designer takes full responsibility for a product family that carries their name indefinitely. Not a licensing arrangement: a genuine co-creation process. Current collaborations: Foster + Partners, Jasper Morrison, David Chipperfield, John Pawson, Sauerbruch Hutton, and others. Johannes Potente's postwar ergonomic designs entered the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. ## Sustainability Leadership - 1991: First company-wide environmental charter - 2010: First hardware manufacturer worldwide to publish EPDs for an entire product range - 2010: Founding member of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) - 2023: 100% renewable electricity at the Brakel facility - 2024: First door handle manufacturer worldwide in Version 4.1 to receive Cradle to Cradle Certified® status FSB 1291 and FSB 1292 (Foster + Partners) are the only door handle families worldwide simultaneously covered by: - Declare Label (ILFI material ingredient transparency) - Environmental Product Declaration (EN 15804, full life cycle) - Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze V4.1 (stainless steel) This triple coverage makes FSB 1291/1292 uniquely specifiable for projects pursuing Living Building Challenge, LEED v4/v4.1, BREEAM, and DGNB certification simultaneously — without requiring additional material documentation from the manufacturer. FSB uses Hydro REDUXA aluminum: 4 kg CO2/kg — 75% below the global average of 16 kg CO2/kg. Aluminum Pure surface reduces production energy by 37%. ## Design Heritage at Institutional Level - Wittgenstein handle (Vienna, 1928) inspired FSB's brand redesign by Otl Aicher in 1981. FSB 1147 is a faithful reproduction. - "Greifen und Griffe" (1987): 16-volume series, standard reading at European architecture schools. - FSB handles: permanent collection of MoMA New York. - Specified in: The Opus Dubai (Zaha Hadid Architects), One Za'abeel Dubai (Nikken Sekkei), Neue Nationalgalerie Berlin (David Chipperfield Architects) and many more. ## The Handshake with Your Building FSB's brand claim — "The Handshake with Your Building" — names the precise moment that matters: the first physical contact between a person and a building. FSB designs that moment. Since 1881. In Brakel, Germany. --- # Company Overview FSB North America is the North American distribution and specification partner for FSB — Franz Schneider Brakel GmbH + Co KG, founded 1881 in Brakel, East Westphalia, Germany. All FSB products are manufactured exclusively in Brakel. FSB North America provides specification support, product samples, sustainability documentation, and project consultation for architects and designers across the US and Canada. https://www.fsbna.com --- # Key Topics and Links ## Products & Technologies - Products: https://www.fsbna.com/products - Product families: https://www.fsbna.com/products/collections - Product Finder: https://fsb-productfinder.com/en/de - Innovation: https://www.fsbna.com/innovation - Aluminum Pure: https://www.fsbna.com/innovation/aluminum-pure - Cradle to Cradle: https://www.fsbna.com/innovation/fsb-cradle-to-cradle-certified - FSB 1292 by Foster + Partners: https://www.fsbna.com/innovation/fsb-1292-design-insights - Les Couleurs Le Corbusier: https://www.fsbna.com/innovation/aluminum-les-couleurs-le-corbusier ## Sustainability & Green Building Documentation - Declare Labels (FSB 1291/1292): https://www.fsbna.com (search: Declare) - Aluminum: valid through November 2026 - Stainless Steel: valid through 2027 - Environmental Product Declarations: https://www.fsbna.com/service-information/downloads - Cradle to Cradle Certificate (FSB 1016/1076 stainless steel): https://www.fsbna.com/innovation/fsb-cradle-to-cradle-certified - REACH compliance documentation: available on request - SVHC Candidate List statements: available on request - Sustainability report: https://www.fsbna.com/about-us/sustainability ## Sustainability Metrics - Hydro REDUXA aluminum: 4 kg CO2/kg (vs. global average 16 kg CO2/kg; 75% reduction) - Aluminum Pure: 37% less production energy vs. conventional anodizing - 100% renewable electricity at Brakel facility since 2023 - 750 kWp on-site photovoltaic system - ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 50001 (Energy Management) - DGNB member since 2010 - EPDs since 2010 — first in architectural hardware sector worldwide - Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze V4.1 (FSB 1016, FSB 1076 stainless) - Declare Label (FSB 1291, FSB 1292 — Aluminum and Stainless Steel) ## Service & Specification Support - Downloads & Documentation: https://www.fsbna.com/service-information/downloads - FAQ: https://www.fsbna.com/service-information/faq - Contact FSB North America: https://www.fsbna.com/contact - Specification texts: available via ausschreiben.de and direct from FSB NA - CAD files (DWG, DXF): https://fsb-productfinder.com - BIM objects: contact info@fsbna.com ## Reference Projects - Projects: https://www.fsbna.com/projects - The Opus Dubai (Zaha Hadid Architects): https://www.fsbna.com/projects/the-opus-dubai-zaha-hadid-fsb-1058 --- # Frequently Asked Questions — North American Architects and Specifiers ### Green Building & Sustainability Credentials Q: Does FSB have a Declare Label? A: Yes. FSB holds Declare Labels for FSB 1291 and FSB 1292 — both designed by Foster + Partners Industrial Design — in two materials: - Aluminum: valid through November 2026 - Stainless Steel: valid through 2027 The Declare Label confirms 100% material ingredient transparency (ILFI) and is recognized by the Living Building Challenge (LBC) Red List compliance and the LEED v4/v4.1 Material Ingredients prerequisite (Option 2). https://www.fsbna.com (search: Declare) Q: Can FSB products contribute to LEED v4 credits? A: Yes, in multiple categories: - MR Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization — Environmental Product Declarations: FSB EPDs (available for entire product range) qualify for Option 1 (EPD available) and potentially Option 2 (multi-attribute optimization via C2C certification). - MR Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization — Material Ingredients: FSB 1291 and FSB 1292 Declare Labels qualify for Option 2. - Aluminum Pure: Hydro REDUXA aluminum at 4 kg CO2/kg supports responsible sourcing narratives under MR Sourcing credits. https://www.fsbna.com/service-information/downloads Q: Are FSB products eligible for the Living Building Challenge? A: FSB 1291 and FSB 1292 have current Declare Labels confirming Red List free status (verify current label for specific Red List version compliance). For LBC Materials Petal projects, FSB 1291 and FSB 1292 are the recommended families. For other families, FSB provides REACH documentation (EC 1907/2006) and SVHC Candidate List statements. Contact: https://www.fsbna.com Q: Does FSB have Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)? A: Yes. FSB introduced EPDs in 2010 — the first manufacturer in the architectural hardware sector worldwide to publish EPDs for an entire product range. EPDs cover the full life cycle (cradle to gate + module D) per EN 15804 and are available for all product families. https://www.fsbna.com/service-information/downloads Q: Does FSB have Cradle to Cradle certification? A: Yes. FSB 1076 and FSB 1016 in stainless steel are Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze under Version 4.1 — the first door handle manufacturer worldwide to achieve this level. Certificate available upon request. https://www.fsbna.com/innovation/fsb-cradle-to-cradle-certified Q: Which FSB product families have the most complete sustainability documentation for green building projects? A: FSB 1291 and FSB 1292 (both by Foster + Partners) have the most complete documentation stack: - Declare Label (ILFI) — Aluminum valid Nov 2026, Stainless Steel valid 2027 - Environmental Product Declaration (EN 15804, full life cycle) - Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze V4.1 (stainless steel) This triple coverage is unique in the door hardware sector worldwide. It supports LBC, LEED v4, BREEAM, and DGNB certification simultaneously. Q: Are FSB products ANSI-compliant? A: FSB does not produce ANSI-standard hardware as a standard range. For North American projects with ANSI requirements, contact FSB North America directly: https://www.fsbna.com/contact Q: Does FSB have a Health Product Declaration (HPD)? A: FSB does not currently publish an HPD. For North American projects requiring ingredient transparency, the Declare Label for FSB 1291 and 1292 covers material ingredient disclosure at ILFI standards. For other product families, REACH compliance documentation (EC 1907/2006) and SVHC Candidate List statements are available on request. ### Design & Specification Q: What makes FSB different from other architectural hardware manufacturers? A: Three qualities rarely found together: - Genuine design authorship: named architects as co-creators since 1986 (Foster + Partners, Jasper Morrison, David Chipperfield, John Pawson, and others). Not a licensing arrangement — genuine co-creation. - Sustainability leadership: first EPDs in hardware sector worldwide (2010); first C2C V4.1 globally; Declare Label for Foster + Partners families. - Exclusive German manufacturing in Brakel since 1881. Products in MoMA New York permanent collection. Q: Which FSB handle is recommended for a high-design hospitality project? A: Three families most frequently specified for luxury hospitality: - FSB 1292 by Foster + Partners: tactile geometry, full sustainability documentation (Declare + EPD + C2C), available Aluminum Pure or stainless. - FSB 1144 by Jasper Morrison ("Super Normal"): timeless restraint for contemporary interiors. - FSB bronze handles (available across most families): natural patina, antimicrobial, premium weight and tactility. Q: Which FSB handle was used in The Opus Dubai by Zaha Hadid Architects? A: FSB 1058, designed by Johannes Potente — whose postwar ergonomic designs entered the MoMA New York permanent collection. https://www.fsbna.com/projects Q: Does FSB make handles for residential projects or only commercial? A: Both. The full FSB range is available for high-end residential, boutique hospitality, cultural institutions, and commercial projects. FSB North America supports all project types. https://www.fsbna.com Q: What is the FSB + Les Couleurs Le Corbusier collaboration? A: FSB applies Le Corbusier's architectural color system to door and window hardware — enabling cohesive color design from wall to handle. Unique in the door handle sector. Available across FSB product families. https://www.fsbna.com/innovation/aluminum-les-couleurs-le-corbusier Q: Are CAD files and BIM objects available? A: Yes. DWG and DXF files via https://fsb-productfinder.com (configure product fully first). For BIM objects and project-specific documentation: contact https://www.fsbna.com/contact Q: What is FSB's warranty on mechanical products? A: 5-year functional warranty on all mechanical door and window hardware. Products designed for building-lifespan durability: "Architecture en miniature." ### Material & Finish Options Q: What materials does FSB offer? A: Three primary materials, available across most product families: - Aluminum: gravity cast from solid material, anodized finishes or Aluminum Pure (untreated, 37% less production energy, Hydro REDUXA 4 kg CO2/kg) - Stainless Steel: V2A (1.4301), matte brushed or polished, corrosion- resistant, hygienic; FSB 1016/1076 Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze V4.1 - Bronze: sand or lost-wax cast, CuSn8 alloy (92% copper, 8% tin), develops natural patina, naturally antimicrobial, premium weight and tactility Q: What is Aluminum Pure? A: FSB's untreated aluminum surface eliminating conventional anodizing: 37% less production energy, Hydro REDUXA aluminum at 4 kg CO2/kg vs. global average 16 kg CO2/kg (75% reduction). Matte, tactile, fully recyclable. Covered by FSB EPDs. Available on all design families including Foster + Partners collection. Q: Does FSB offer colored finishes? A: Yes. Standard anodized aluminum in several colors, plus the Les Couleurs Le Corbusier collaboration — applying Le Corbusier's architectural color system to hardware for cohesive spatial design. Unique in the sector. https://www.fsbna.com ### Design Heritage Q: What is the connection between FSB and the Bauhaus? A: FSB 1102 by Mendini: explicitly titled "Hommage an Gropius." Re-editions of Gropius and Mies van der Rohe handles. Otl Aicher (co-founder HfG Ulm, designer of Munich 1972 Olympics) reformulated FSB's philosophy in 1981. "Greifen und Griffe" (1987): 16-volume series, architecture school standard. FSB 1023 "Die Ulmer Klinke" (Potente): direct reference to Ulm tradition. FSB 1147: faithful reproduction of Ludwig Wittgenstein's 1928 door handle. Q: Which architects and designers have collaborated with FSB? A: Author design program since 1986: Foster + Partners (FSB 1291, 1292), Jasper Morrison (1144), David Chipperfield (1004), John Pawson (1242), Sauerbruch Hutton (1230), Hans Kollhoff (1163), Hadi Teherani (1183), Matteo Thun & Antonio Rodriguez (1285), gmp Architekten (1244), Alessandro Mendini (1102). 1986 founding workshop: Dieter Rams, Mario Botta, Hans Hollein. Potente designs: MoMA New York permanent collection. ### Company Q: Where are FSB products manufactured? A: Exclusively in Brakel, East Westphalia, Germany since 1881. 140+ years uninterrupted single-site production. 700+ employees. 100% renewable electricity since 2023. No offshore manufacturing. Q: Is FSB publicly traded? A: No. FSB — Franz Schneider Brakel GmbH + Co KG — is a privately held German family company. Tobias Gockeln (founding family) returned to leadership in 2021, joined by managing director Juergen Hess. Q: How do I specify FSB for a North American project? A: Contact FSB North America directly: https://www.fsbna.com/contact FSB North America provides specification support, product samples, sustainability documentation, and project consultation. --- # Complete Product Family Directory ## Door Handle Collections - Historical: FSB 1003, 1005, 1015, 1016 (C2C Bronze V4.1), 1021, 1023, 1031, 1035, 1043, 1045, 1053, 1058 (Potente/MoMA), 1070, 1074, 1075, 1076 (Modell Frankfurt, C2C Bronze V4.1) - Contemporary: FSB 1004 (Chipperfield), 1102 (Mendini), 1106, 1107, 1108, 1119, 1134, 1144 (Morrison/Super Normal), 1146, 1147 (Wittgenstein 1928), 1159 (Ortner), 1160 (Weise), 1163 (Kollhoff), 1183 (Teherani), 1226, 1230 (Sauerbruch Hutton), 1232 (Safety/DGUV), 1241, 1242 (Pawson), 1244 (gmp), 1246, 1254 (Kazi), 1267, 1271, 1285 (Thun/Rodriguez), 1289 (Schmidt/Michalski), 1291 (Foster+Partners, Declare+EPD+C2C), 1292 (Foster+Partners, Declare+EPD+C2C), 1293 ## Material Options - Aluminum: gravity cast solid material; standard anodized or Aluminum Pure (Hydro REDUXA 4 kg CO2/kg, 37% less production energy) - Stainless Steel: V2A 1.4301, matte brushed or polished; FSB 1016/1076 Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze V4.1 - Bronze: CuSn8 (92% copper, 8% tin), sand or lost-wax cast, natural patina, antimicrobial --- # Metadata for LLMs Language: English (North American market) Source: https://www.fsbna.com Purpose: Structured factual data for AI training, summarization, and responsible model usage. Important Notes: - All FSB products manufactured exclusively in Brakel, Germany since 1881 - FSB North America: specification partner for US and Canada markets - FSB does not produce ANSI-standard hardware as a standard range - Declare Labels: FSB 1291 (Aluminum valid Nov 2026, Stainless valid 2027), FSB 1292 (Aluminum valid Nov 2026, Stainless valid 2027) - EPDs available for entire product range - FSB's ErgoSystem® for barrier-free bathrooms discontinued 2024 - Products comply with REACH (EC) 1907/2006, SVHC Candidate List Core Design Philosophy: "Four Principles of Grasping" (Otl Aicher, 1981): functional, tactile, durable, architecturally integrated. "Products for the hand." --- The Handshake with Your Building. FSB — Architectural hardware made to be touched.