13/09/2016

The organisers of a pioneering Austrian summer programme, which brings together the latest thinking in sustainable construction, will be on hand at EAIE to discuss the course – and build relationships with universities across the UK and Ireland.

Green Building Solutions (GBS) takes place in Vienna, the capital of energy efficient construction, and provides a unique opportunity for professionals and students alike to discover more about sustainable techniques.

The three-week programme’s teaching and all associated social activities are carried out in English and the course is of appeal to – but not limited to – those working in and studying architecture, construction management, project management, building engineering and surveying.

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, the course advocates the use of natural resources by connecting natural, engineering and economic sciences.

As part of the unique student experience, OeAD is able to place students in its new, high-profile passive house student housing, giving those attending the programme the opportunity to live and breathe in a modern, sustainable environment.

During the programme there’s also the chance to gain insight into OeAD’s world-leading passive house student accommodation.

This includes schemes in Vienna such as the ‘GreenHouse,’ the first student residence in the world to achieve the EnergyPLUS standard, and environmental friendly, sustainable and modern ‘PopUp dorms’ made out of wood.

Both these developments are located at Vienna’s new urban lakeside development Aspern.

Other OeAD projects of note include the ‘Mine Room’ a stunning, timber-structured building providing passive house accommodation and lifestyle for active students in Styria’s second city, Leoben.

Günther Jedliczka, CEO of the OeAD-Housing Office, said: “Austria is world-renowned as a pioneer in sustainable construction and GBS offers students from the UK and Ireland the opportunity to broaden their perspective and build a network of useful contacts.

“It provides a truly international atmosphere, with 38 students from 20 nations successfully completing the programme last year covering topics including Sustainability in Building and Urban Planning, Principles of Passive House Planning and Renewable Energies and Business Concepts.

“The programme concludes with a collaborative project, where participants work together to bring their learning and experiences from the course to design a ‘green’ building.

“At EAIE we are particularly keen to speak to university representatives who share our values are looking to develop partnerships with us in the future.”

The next GBS summer university takes place from July 22 to August 13, 2017.

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 – operates the Green Building Solutions course under a not-for-profit arrangement.

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.

GBS has been conceived as a modular university course with BOKU University for Natural Resources and Life Sciences, with seven ECTS points awarded after successful completion.

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 the 13 August 2017.

More details about GBS and AEMS can be found at www.summer-university.net

The OeAD team can be found within the ‘Austria Welcomes You’ area at stand number 503 at EAIE.