CAS ETH in Regenerative Materials - Hygrothermal Specialisation

The first week introduces  the main regenerative materials this programme will focus on with an overview of the materials' diversity from resource to implementation, and a synthesis of their hygrothermal properties::

• Fibers: straw bales (wheat, rice...), wool and rigid panels (wood, sheep, hemp, cotton, flax, jute…), bulk fibers (straw, cellulose, hemp…);
  
• Earth: Plasters, blocs (adobe, CEB), monolith walls (rammed earth, poured earth, cob, wattle and daub...);
  
• Composite: light mixes combining a mineral binder, such as lime, gypsum, or clay, to bio-based materials, such as hemp, wood, straw, or any waste from plant harvesting.
  

It offer the basics of specific hygrothermal building physics features achieved with those materials when designing low-carbon and high-quality envelops for high-comfort environments: evolution of standards and models; strength and weaknesses of regenerative materials; state of the art and market evolution. 

A two-day visit to the Fraunhofer Institut for Building Physics and hands-on WUFI Pro software will be organized during this module.

The second week is focused on constructive details and regenerative envelopes. 

Hands-on workshops on material testing, implementation of sensors and definition of monitoring set-up will be organised, with introduction to WUFI Plus software.

The prototypes produced during previous edition with rammed earth, lime-hemp and earth-hemp mixes will be analysed in terms of thermal insulation, thermal mass, moisture regulation, indoor air quality and compared to a reference prototype built with conventional building techniques.

The third week offers advanced knowledge on HAM modeling (Heat Air and Moisture), with high-level hygrothermal analysis and digital parametric iteration to study vapour and liquid transfer, active capillary absorbtion and redistribution, moisture buffering, indoor air quality (IAQ) improvement and much more.

A visit to the buidling 22.26 in Lustenau will be organised with a focus on hygrothermal qualities with low-tech building systems.

The fourth module is mainly organised on-line (one day a week for 4 weeks) with a final presentation on-site in Zurich.

The participants are asked to use the software presented allong the programme to analyse the hygrothermal behaviour of refence case-studies and reproduce the monitoring conditions of the prototypes from previous edition.

Greneral information:
As part-time training, this continuing education programme is geared toward the needs of professionals who want to deepen and question their existing practice in order to develop more regenerative approaches. In this progamme, a limited group of professionals (8-12 participants), from Switzerland and abroad, is selected to favour intense interactions and high-quality learning.

Objectives:
The CAS ETH in Regenerative Materials - Hygrothermal Specialisation teaches participants to quantify indoor air quality and comfort improvements, reduce energy demands, forecast moisture-related degradation risks and design for durability and long-lasting performance with earth, bio-based and reused materials, considering HVAC systems and occupant comfort. 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.

Professional perspectives:
The programme ensures a significant and lasting impact on participants’ professional development. Graduates are equipped to work as project managers in architecture or engineering offices, for municipal technical services, or as portfolio managers, developers, and members of NGO. Alumni of the CAS-RMHygro programme join an active and growing professional network.

Target audience:
Decision-makers and practitioners in the construction sector from Switzerland and abroad: HVAC engineers, architects, civil engineers, project managers, municipal technical services, building contractors, and NGOs.
Some calculations use complex modeling, and basics in heat and vapour transfer are expected.

Language of Instruction: Courses are typically held in English.
Visits and discussions with practitioners will be sometimes given in French, German or Italian but will always be translated into English.

Duration: 1 semester, from September to December (Fall semester), every two years.

The first three modules with contact hours represents 2 ECTS and the project work of the last module represents 6 ECTS. In total, this programme corresponds to 12 ECTS. There is no workload between the modules.

The programme uses innovative teaching practices with participative methods, experimental lectures, hands-on exercises, visits to inspiring projects, and project-based learning. Each module combines the following activities:

Lectures: Input lectures from well-known specialists gives an overview on the most innovative recent developements. Some online lectures are opened to a large audience to support public awareness (see our dedicated webpage).

Hands-on: These exercises are a great opportunity to put hands-on with construction materials. Experimentations on natural fibers, earth or reused/reclaimed materials allow a deep understanding of the main properties and specificities of these materials and corresponding building systems.

Visits: Visits to exemplary buildings using regenerative materials is one of the most inspiring way to engage in regenerative construction. Those visits are conducted by the stakeholders involved in their realisation.

Group exercises: Group work strenghen the interactions within participants. They focus on realistic calls for tenders placing the students into a real-life professional situation. 

The teaching team is composed of acknowledged experts in the field with complementary approaches and background (designer, entrepreneur, researcher, developer…).

ETH Teaching Partners:

• Prof. Dr. Guillaume Habert
• Dr. Arnaud Evrard
• (TBD)

International partners (non exhaustive list):

• Prof. Pete Walker, UBath (UK)
• Dr. Hartwig Künzel, Fraunhofer-IBP (Germany)
• Dr. Ralf Kilian, Fraunhofer-IBP (Germany)
• Prof. Eike Roswag, ZRS Berlin (Germany)
• Prof. Dr. Christof Ziegert, ZRS Berlin (Germany)
• Dipl.-Ing. Architektin Andrea Klinge, ZRS Berlin (Germany)
• Dr. Sophie Claude, INSA Toulouse (France)
• Dipl.-Ing. Laurent Mouly, ENSA Normandie (France)
• Prof. Dr. Magda Posani, Aalto University (Finland)
• (TBD)

Ricola Foundation:
The creation of the CAS ETH in Regenerative Materials has been supported by the external page Ricola Foundation.
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 supporting participants with financial difficulties.
For more details about this scholarship, please contact Arnaud Evrard <> before applying.

Energie Schweiz:
Our news programmes — CAS ETH in Regenerative Materials - Hygrothermal Specialisation and CAS ETH in Regenerative Materials - Structural Specialisation — are supported by external page Energie Schweiz as these programmes help achieving of the Swiss 2050 energy and climate objectives.

Other Partners: 
We also have the chance to recive the support of many expert guests.
They accept to share their knowlegde and experience with the participants, helping us to create a growing network of potential partners.
(See details on deticated webpages of each programme).

Applications for the next edition in Autumn 2025 are already open and will be closed as soon as the group is defined (or by 31.08.2025 at the latest).

Applicants are asked to apply online and to include a motivation letter, a CV and two reference letters. A reference letter corresponds to a recommendation letter preferably written by your current or former employer.

Fees: 8230 CHF. It does not include living expenses.

For more information visit this website.