Educate

Environmental Design in University Curricula and Architectural Training in Europe

The promotion of sustainability in the design of the built environment is a key-factor for addressing the challenges humankind faces in response to climate change, resource availability, environmental degradation and energy consumption. Widespread awareness of the role that buildings play in the current climate crisis, together with the technical requirements arising from new regulations, are triggering demands for architects with advanced skills in sustainable design and energy efficiency. This paradigm shift in professional responsibility requires that a robust environmental education sits at the core of the architectural curriculum at both academic and professional level. Unfortunately, the successful integration of environmental sustainability into a creative design process has proven elusive and, consequently, both education and the profession have been slow to react to the demands of enhanced energy efficiency in architecture. To respond to these challenges, EDUCATE seeks to foster competence in sustainable environmental design at all levels of architectural education and practice aiming to achieve comfort, well-being and energy efficiency in new and existing buildings.

Read more on the project website.

Funding: European Commission – Energy Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI) under the “Intelligent Energy Europe” 2008 Programme.

Research Assistant 2011 for Bavarian Chamber of Architects in collaboration with Technical University of Munich.