Education and training
Continuing education
MAS Historic Preservation and Conversion
A new module starts every five weeks. Duration At least 2 years.
In the building industry, tasks are increasingly shifting from new construction to preservation and conversion. Therefore, experts are needed who are familiar with the problems of monument preservation and conversion and who can accompany demanding conversions. This requires integral thinking and action as well as a responsible, careful and considerate approach to the built environment. The large selection of modules makes it possible to put together the course of study individually and in accordance with your needs.
CAS Regenerative Materials - Essentials (English)
Winter semester, annual. Course Coordinator: Dr Arnaud Evrard, Dr Guillaume Habert
This program consists of five modules, each lasting one week and spread over one semester. The modules cover the essential knowledge of the use of earth, bio-based and recycled building materials, from the extraction of raw materials to the construction site, the operation of the building and the end of use of the building materials. 'Module 4 : Re-valuing the building stock' refers specifically to reuse in construction.
CAS Preservation
Fall semester, every 2 years. Program management: Prof. Dr. Silke Langenberg, Prof. Dr. Stefan M. Holzer
Thinking and acting in terms of monument preservation requires extensive knowledge of a technical-scientific nature. The aim is to impart this knowledge to the students and to promote their own competence to act. Graduates have a sound ability to judge and can develop solutions that are appropriate to the value of the building.
MAS in Historic Preservation and Construction History
Fall semester with even numbered year. Program Management: Prof. Dr. Silke Langenberg, Prof. Dr. Stefan M. Holzer
Any intervention in the historic fabric of a building requires a comprehensive understanding of the object and knowledge of the basics and positions of historic preservation theory. The aim of the training is to sensitize the participants to recognize existing qualities and to enable them to deal responsibly with the existing structure. The focus is on the recording, evaluation and adequate handling of existing monuments, but also of non-protected high-quality objects.
University and college courses
Sustainable Building in Existing Contexts (MAS module in Monument Preservation and Conversion)
5 consecutive Fridays, Lecturer: Peter Schürch Architect SIA SWB
The module enables the assessment of buildings in terms of sustainability and future viability,
provides a sound input of constructive and technical solutions for the refurbishment of the historical stock,
sheds light on current energy discussions, and adds knowledge on the standard SIA 112/2 "Sustainable construction - building construction".
Building design in the circular economy (English) (MSc program)
Fall semester, Lecturer: Dr. Corentin Fivet
The course introduces the concept of the circular economy and its application to building design, with an emphasis on disassembly, reuse, and life cycle assessment (LCA). The course develops critical thinking skills and teaches techniques that can be used immediately.
Recyling of materials (English) (MSc program)
Spring semester, Lecturer: Yves Leterrier
Students understand the problems and key factors of a waste recycling process. They know the sorting and recycling technologies for different materials and can compare the environmental impact of recycling with that of the use of raw materials.
Digitization for Circular Construction (English)
Spring semester, Lecturer: Dr. Catherine De Wolf
Students will learn about digital innovations for circular construction (e.g., reuse of materials) through hands-on learning: They will be escorted to demolition sites to recover and reclaim building materials, learn how to use computer-based tools to design structures with an available inventory of materials, and use digital fabrication techniques to build a dome on campus.
Repair: Keep in Place (English)
Spring semester, Lecturer: Dr. Silke Langenberg
Complex designs that are difficult to maintain and industrial manufacturing processes are shortening the life of objects not only in product design but also in architecture. Repairability is becoming less important - replacement seems to be the norm. We need to rethink the way we build, and that starts in the design phase. In this course, we combine traditional historic preservation topics with concepts of repair and FAB initiatives to raise awareness of sustainable thinking and practices. Participants will learn both traditional and digital methods, as well as basic construction and materials criteria for repair. The goal is not only to provide hands-on repair of a building component, but more importantly to learn about the concepts of historic preservation.
Waste Anthropology and Circular Economy (German)
Fall semester, Lecturer: Dr. Madlen Kobi
Waste as a cultural expression of the value of material things tells us something about social relations and the infrastructural handling of objects. As a result of industrialized and urbanized societies, ecological questions also arise about the storage of spent fuel rods from nuclear power plants, the handling of formation water in oil production, or the reuse of construction waste. In this event, we approach the practical handling of "worthless" things and the associated commodity flows. In doing so, we will examine the extent to which the idea of a circular economy can provide a solution to the problem of waste. In addition to reviewing basic literature on waste and infrastructure in different geographic and cultural contexts, students will create podcasts on various waste topics through small-scale fieldwork.
Short courses and workshops
Massive Open Online Courses
Circular Economy for a Sustainable Built Environment (English)
MOOC TU Delft, 6 weeks, self-study course.
In this course, you will learn about the circular economy as a systemic, multidisciplinary approach that addresses multiple scales, from material to product, to building, to city, and to region. Some aspects of the circular economy that will be covered in this course are maximizing reuse and recycling by closing material loops. You will also learn how the circular economy can help realign business incentives in supply chains and how consumers can be engaged and contribute to the transition through new business models that enable circular design, reuse, repair, remanufacture, and recycling of building components.
Worldviews - From Sustainability to Regeneration (English)
MOOC ETHZ, 3 weeks, self-study course.
To address environmental and social crises, we need cultural and mental change. This course is the first in a connected series of four online courses that bring together science, design, and transformative practice as a fluid, intervention-based, and synergistic process for addressing complex challenges. This is explored through expanding worldviews, reframing complexity, design as nature, activating our minds through physical movement, and connecting with new communities.
