CAS ETH in Regenerative Materials - Structural Specialisation

(To be announced)

(To be announced)

(To be announced)

(To be announced)

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 - Structural Specialisation teaches participants to engage in the structural dimensioning of durable
buildings and infrastructure made from materials such as stones, rammed earth, straw bales, hemp, bamboo, and reused concrete and wood elements. Participants will develop skills in structural efficiency and load-bearing design, considering embodied energy and design for disassembly. They will acquire result-oriented skills in terms of structural integrity and load transfer to contribute to the structural 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: structural engineers, architects, civil engineers,
project managers, members of municipal technical services, building contractors, and NGOs.
Some calculations use complex modeling, and basics in structural aspects 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
• (To be announced)

International partners (non exhaustive list):

• (To be announced)

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).

Application for 2026's edition will open during the month of July 2026 (01.07.- 31.07.) .

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.