With the emphasis on building properties in the UK and Ireland which balance environmental and economic factors, the passive house model is one which is well-placed to deliver significant benefits.
A unique training programme held in Vienna offers an opportunity for students and professionals in architecture and the built environment to understand more about the concept and introduce elements of the programme into their work.
Green.Building.Solutions. (GBS) takes place in Vienna, the capital of energy efficient construction from July 22 to August 13, 2017.
It is organised by the OeAD-Housing Office - which won the Austrian Climate Protection Award in 2013 and the Environmental Award of the City of Vienna in March 2015 - together with the BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna.
Run under a not-for-profit arrangement, the three-week programme carries out its lectures and all associated social activities in English and the course is of appeal to - but not limited to - those working in and studying architecture, construction management, project management, building and energy engineering and surveying.
It concludes with an integrative design project, where participants from different fields work together to bring their learning and experiences from the course to design a ‘green’ building. Student participants are entitled to seven ECTS points after successful completion.
The cost of the course is €2,490 for professionals and €2,000 for students. This price includes all social activities as well as accommodation in OeAD’s passive house student properties in Vienna. The cost also includes accommodation for participants for almost a week after the programme, enabling them to explore the city at leisure.
Günther Jedliczka, CEO of the OeAD-Housing Office, said: “Passive house is being increasingly referred to in architectural and construction environments and those looking to understand more about the subject will find GBS provides an invaluable framework.
“Austria is world-renowned as a pioneer in sustainable construction and we share years of insight with participants so they gain a thorough understanding of the use of natural resources and their connection through natural, engineering and economic sciences.
“GBS also offers a unique opportunity to build a network of useful contacts across Europe and beyond.”
Last year, 38 participants from 20 nations successfully completed the programme, covering topics including Sustainability in Building and Urban Planning, Principles of Passive House Planning and Renewable Energies and Business Concepts.
As well as GBS, OeAD also runs the Alternative Economic and Monetary Systems programme (AEMS), which analyses how economic, political, monetary and environmental factors need to change to be more sustainable – from the 26 July until 11 August, 2017.
More details about GBS and AEMS can be found at www.summer-university.net