The latest thinking in sustainable construction

UK-based construction and property professionals can get up to speed with some of the latest thinking in sustainability in what is often termed the capital of energy efficient building – Vienna.

The ‘Green Building Solutions’ summer school offers students a unique experience to see first-hand how Vienna has evolved into a global leader in environmental construction - and how the city’s collaborative approach can be adapted to meet increasing demands for more sustainable construction techniques in the UK.

Taking place from July 25 until August 16, the course is organised by the OeAD-Housing Office, which offers passive house accommodation for students across Austria, together with the city’s BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, which advocates the use of natural resources by connecting natural, engineering and economic sciences.

Designed to give a complete perspective for forward-thinking professionals, the course consists of three modules – Sustainability in Building and Urban Planning, Principles of Passive House Planning and Renewable Energies and Business Concepts.

The course ends with a collaborative project, where participants pool together their learning and experiences from the course to design a ‘green’ building.  
The summer school has been conceived as a modular university course, with seven ECTS points awarded after successful completion. Training is provided entirely in English and is delivered by a consortium of six Austrian universities, together with technical colleges, experts and alliances.

Günther Jedliczka, CEO of the OeAD-Housing Office, said: “This summer school has been developed to address a wide-ranging subject area, which will give real insight and perspective into sustainable buildings for now and the future.

“Delegates will be able to get up to speed with the latest thinking in green technologies, visit a variety of building projects in the city and also acquire a cultural understanding of Vienna too.”

The OeAD-Housing Office – which won the Austrian Climate Protection Award in 2013 and the Environmental Award of the City of Vienna in March this year – operates the Green Building Solutions course under a not-for-profit arrangement.

The course is designed to appeal to a broad range of construction and property professionals – both students and those in post – who are looking to broaden their knowledge of sustainability. This includes, but is not limited to, architects, construction managers, project managers, building engineers and surveyors.

The cost of the course is €2490 for professionals and €2000 for students. The price includes all accommodation, which is based in OeAD’s passive house student properties in Vienna. Subject to availability, the closing date for bookings is 15 June, 2015.

Opportunities to savour Viennese culture are also included in the programme, with a variety of cultural activities organised throughout the three-week course - including the option of waltz lessons for those really wanting to step into the life of the city.