Continuing Education
earth. bio-based. reused
News in short!
Next public lecture:
Dr. Olga Beatrice Carcassi
Wednesday 10.04.24
16h-17h (UTC+2)
MYCELIUM-BASED BIOCOMPOSITES
external pageLink to the lecturecall_made
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New video:
Prof. Christof Ziegert
Monday 04.03.2024
16h-17h (UTC+1)
NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON EARTHEN PRODUCT REGULATIONS
external pageRecording of the lecturecall_made
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Next panel discussion:
with 3 guests
Friday 12.04.24
14h-17h (UTC+2)
SCALE-UP BIO-BASED CONSTRUCTION
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Think regenerative !
It is time to go beyond sustainability. Alternative solutions out of local resources such as earth, bio-based, and reused materials are emerging all over the world and are triggering regenerative output, thanks to their capacity to contribute to the restoration and improvement of the surrounding natural and social environment. However, they are not widespread in the construction sector due to a lack of information on the side of decision-makers and a lack of competence on the side of practitioners.
The CAS and DAS ETH in Regenerative Materials, international ETH training programmes launched by the Chair of Sustainable Construction of the ETH Zurich, aim to tackle this problem. These teachings offer knowledge and skills to question our conventional construction techniques and to promote regenerative materials from resource extraction to construction site, operation, and end-of-life of the building materials, starting from the preliminary phase of the construction program.
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This programme is structured with five Modules, one week each, distributed over one semester. The Modules cover the essential knowledge on the use of earth, bio-based, and reused building materials, from resource extraction to construction site, building operation and end-of-use of the building materials. It provides the participants with tools and methods to manage projects using these materials with efficiency and creativity in order to contribute to the necessary ecological and social transition in the construction sector.
The programme uses new teaching practices with participative methods, experimental lectures, hands-on exercises, visits to inspiring projects and project-based learning.
More info here.
Earth and bio-based materials offer several benefits when used in building envelopes. This programme offers specialised knowledge on hygrothermal material properties and simulation tools. The program teaches participants to quantify indoor comfort improvements, energy demands reduction, forecast moisture-related degradation risks, and to allow for durable design and long-lasting performance. Materials such as straw bales, hemp, wood, waste from plant harvesting, or light mixes combining bio-based materials to mineral binders, such as lime or clay, will be analysed in detail. The participants will acquire result-oriented skills in terms of thermal efficiency and humidity regulation to contribute to the hygrothermal dimensioning of long-lasting buildings or infrastructures.
More info here.
This programme is organised for four weeks spread over one semester. Load-bearing structures using rammed earth or other earth technics, as well as straw bales or bamboo, will be analysed in detail. The participants will acquire result-oriented skills in terms of structural calculation. After this programme, they will have the skills to participate in the structural dimensioning of long-lasting buildings or infrastructures.
More info here.
When combining the “CAS ETH in Regenerative Materials – Essentials“ with the “CAS ETH in Regenerative Materials - Hygrothermal Specialisation” or the “CAS ETH in Regenerative Materials - Structural Specialisation”, the participants will have the opportunity to apply for the DAS ETH in Regenerative Materials. During one semester, they will be working on a personal project with the supervision of relevant experts. At the end of the period, a jury will evaluate the Regenerative strategy they propose to apply to this project.
More info here.
The MOOC ETH in Regenerative Materials and Construction is a free online course available for anyone to enroll. The course is aiming to introduce the basis of regenerative sustainability in the construction domain, guiding the audience through an overview of its construction materials and techniques as earth and bio-based. We’re almost ready!
Language of Instruction : Courses are typically held in English.
The teaching methods used in these Programmes are defined to ensure an efficient and long-lasting impact on the professional development of the participants. The long-term strategy is to support the dissemination of rigorous information on Regenerative Materials and their use in the building industry to reinforce the network of stakeholders in this field on a large scale.
The objectives are to teach the specificities earth, bio-based and reused materials as low-carbon materials (supply, implementation, adapted architectural design, material properties, construction cost and planning, end-of-life etc.) through practical experiments, inspiring examples (visits and guest lectures) and exercises based on real case study.
Six specific and complementary teaching methods are combined:
- Theoretical and Experimental lectures
- Digital Guest Lectures (public)
- Hands-on exercises
- Visits of inspiring projects
- Participative engagement
- Project-based learning
As a part-time training, these Programmes are geared towards the needs of professionals who want to deepen and question their existing practice in order to develop more regenerative approaches.
The creation of the CAS ETH in Regenerative Materials has been supported by the external pageRicola Foundationcall_made.
One of the main focus of the Ricola Foundation is to improve the people’s quality of life, through initiatives that promote a combination of nature and culture.
Each year, this Foundation is covering the admission fees of some participants with financial difficulties.
We also have the chance to recive to support of many expert guests during these Program.
They accept to share their knowlegde and experience with the participants, helping us to create a growing network of potential partners.
external pageProf. Dr. Guillaume Habertcall_made / Chair of Sustainable Construction - IBI-BAUG-ETHZ / Head of the Chair
Earth and Planetary Science | Biology | Mineralogy / Sustainability science | Regenerative design | Development of regenerative materials | Life Cycle Environmental Assessment.
external pageDr. Arnaud Evrardcall_made / Chair of Sustainable Construction - IBI-BAUG-ETHZ / Programme Coordinator / MSc in architecture and Engineering
Specialised in earth and bio-based construction and transient hygrothermal behaviour.
external pageNathalie Dietrichcall_made / Chair of Sustainable Construction and Chair of Infrastructure Management - IBI-BAUG-ETHZ / Administrative Assistant
Despoina Papadopoulou / Chair of Sustainable Construction - IBI-BAUG-ETHZ / Teaching Assistant (Edition 2024) / MSc ETH in Integrated Build. Systems
Damaris Eschbach / Chair of Sustainable Construction - IBI-BAUG-ETHZ / Teaching Assistant (Edition 2024) / BSc ETH in Architecture, currently MSc ETH in Integrated Building Systems
Polina Saante / Chair of Sustainable Construction - IBI-BAUG-ETHZ / Teaching Assistant (Editions 2022 / 2023 / 2024) / MSc ETH in Integrated Build. Systems
external pageProf. Dr. Sophie Claudecall_made / INSA Toulouse (university) / Programme Coordinator (Edition 2020) / Material engineer. Specialization in earthen architecture / PhD about biobased materials
Research regenerative materials (mix design, thermal, hygrothermal).
Contact
ETH Zürich
Inst. Bau- und Infrastrukturmanagement
Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5
8093
Zürich
Switzerland