Professur Nachhaltiges Bauen / Sustainable Construction

The spatial structure of university educational institutions is undergoing fundamental change. New forms of teaching, research, and collaboration are challenging traditional learning environments and calling for flexible, open, and sustainable spatial concepts. Rigid structures and monofunctional spaces no longer meet today’s requirements. This discrepancy is particularly evident in architectural education: design work, digital production, manual manufacturing, collaborative formats, and public discourse require new working environments.

The master design studio therefore examines what a contemporary architecture faculty might look like and how it could be integrated into the KIT campus. It examines the current location in Building 20.40, as well as the physics building with its high-rise and/or low-rise structures, as examples of spatial obsolescence, lack of flexibility, and the need for energy-efficient renovation. 

The question is which rooms are really needed today and how workshops, digital laboratories, open learning environments, concentrated workplaces, and communication forums can be spatially linked. The focus is on analysis, transformation, and further development of the existing buildings. The goal is an innovative, sustainable utilization concept with short-term functionality and a long-term campus perspective, developed in teams of two.

First Meeting: 23.04.2026, 10:00
Submission/Presentation: 05.08.2026

The University of Freiburg owns a historic cabin in the Black Forest, which will be used as a place of learning and work for experimental teaching and learning formats in the future. Away from the urban campus and nestled in the Black Forest landscape, the property offers ideal conditions for testing alternative spatial concepts, new forms of collaborative work, and ecological strategies.

As part of the master design studio, students are tasked with developing a spatial transformation concept that not only expands the functionality of the existing hut, but also serves as a laboratory for circular economy and sustainable construction. The focus is on upcycling and recycling processes, the creative use of existing materials, and low-tech approaches to self-sufficiency.

The design task includes analyzing the building, identifying spatial potential, and developing atmospheric, structural, and programmatic interventions. The goal is to create a sustainable utilization concept that combines learning, research, and collaborative appropriation in an experimental process. Working in teams of two, students will develop an open, adaptable project that is deeply rooted in the landscape.

First Meeting: 23.04.2026, 14:00
Excursion: 24.04.2026, 09:00
Submission/Presentation: 06.08.2026

The materials library houses conventional building materials as well as recyclable building materials made from secondary and renewable raw materials. The seminar focuses on loam building materials and other natural building materials used in construction and renovation projects. Loam (along with wood) is one of the oldest building materials known to humankind, and even today, a third of the world’s population lives in loam buildings, particularly in Africa, South America, and Asia. In our region, this natural material is experiencing a renaissance thanks to modern advancements such as prefabrication, the production of dry construction materials and the integration of this traditional building material in digital design and construction methods. In conjunction with renewable materials, such as wood, natural insulation or natural paints and plasters, building with loamrepresents one of many opportunities for addressing the enormous challenges posed by climate change within the construction industry. 

During the research seminar, the students will conduct independent and critical research on the mentioned topics. They will examine the life cycles of selected materials in detail in order to integrate sustainable alternatives into the materials library in the form of detailed datasets and physical material samples. The seminar is accompanied by mentoring sessions, workshops, lectures and excursions.

First Meeting: 21.04.2026, Bldg. 20.40, R 141.1 (material library)
Regular Meeting: Tuesdays, 11.30 – 13.00
Submission/Exam: 21.07.2026
Focus of study: Building Technology

Contemporary city making is rooted in the ethos of modernity, scripting natural processes as ‘the other’ with a clear boundary between the lived and the natural spaces. This dichotomous reading of Nature and Culture, which has promoted a continuous, often tense, struggle for the subjugation of nature, is still the foundational spirit that drives our collective strive for growth and transformation.  However, traditional African conceptions do not make such a division between nature and society – offering a vast field of rediscovery for a more harmonious coexistence and dialogue in and with nature. Though the current rapid urban production is disruptive of this dialogue by being dependent on the global circuit of capital, materials, equipment, and skills, the majority of Africa still depends on traditional productions and localized cycles.     

By focusing on a particular geographic region within the vast continent, the seminar will attempt to explore the operational mechanics of traditional architecture (habitat making) within the metabolic cycles of the different ecological zones of the region. The main aim is to draw vital and timeless values and principles that are foundational in ensuring stability and balance in the making of the Human Habitat.  

First Meeting: 21.04.2026, 14:00
Regular Meeting: Tuesdays, 14:00 – 15:30
Submission/Exam: 21.07.2026
Focus of study: Urban Design

Clay, long an underrated building material, is currently experiencing a renaissance in light of the ecological crisis and is now considered a forward-looking material. The seminar trip takes us to the most significant clay buildings in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. On a bus trip, we discover historic half-timbered and clay houses, contemporary projects in rammed clay and light clay, as well as innovative approaches to sustainable clay architecture. The excursion combines theoretical insights with practical observations and provides a deep understanding of the structural, design, and ecological potential of clay.

First Meeting: Thursday 07.05.2026, 13:00-14:00 , Bldg. 11.40, R 26
Excursion:  26.05. – 29.05.2026
Costs: max. 500€

The Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, opened in 1846 as one of Germany’s first public museums, is one of the most important art museums in the state. In order to present its collections in a contemporary manner and better fulfil its educational mission, the museum needs modern premises.

As part of the Master’s design project “KARLSRUHE.ART.COURT. – Expansion of the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe”, this functionally and programmatically necessary extension was developed by fifteen students in line with circular construction principles, while preserving the existing building. The ‘Kunsthalle der Gegenwart’ will house collections from the 20th and 21st centuries, special exhibitions, offices for art history and communication, a copperplate engraving cabinet and rooms for paper restoration. The former courthouse, built in 1962, will also be opened to the urban community and will house a restaurant and an art library.

On 26 February 2026, the final presentation of the Master’s design project took place in the studio spaces of the Architecture Building. The students presented their projects to the invited guest critics Frédéric Bußmann and Silvia Stetter-Kalbus (Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe), Uta Hassler (architect and building researcher), Kai Fischer and Dagmar Menzenbach (Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg) and Patrick Chladek (architect), as well as the teaching staff from the Chair of Architectural Communication (Prof. Riklef Rambow and Nerina Kosenina) and the Chair of Sustainable Comstruction (Prof. Dirk E. Hebel and Elena Boerman).

Many thanks to all the students and guest critics for the exciting day and the presentation of forward-looking ideas for the extension of the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, representing the transformation of the existing museum into an open, inviting art campus for social exchange and cultural participation in Karlsruhe.

What measures need to be taken to implement circular thinking in teaching, politics, and society? A shift towards a circular building industry must be promoted in order to address man-made climate change and the issue of resources as interdependent systems.

Hebel, Dirk E., and Annette Hillebrandt, eds. 2026. Zirkulär! Fundamente und Postulate einer kreislaufbasierten Bauwirtschaft. Bauwelt Fundamente. Birkhäuser Verlag GmbH.

In an interview in the current issue of ARCH+ 262 African Spatial Thinking, Zegeye Cherenet Mamo from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, currently visiting scientist at KIT, discusses with Marc Angélil current tendencies, risks, opportunities and hopes for urbanization on the African continent.

“The architects Zegeye Cherenet Mamo and Marc Angélil have been collaborating over the past decades on a series of projects across Ethiopia in education, research, and practice. Building on initiatives such as the establishment of the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development and the rural model town Bura-NEST, they discuss questions of spatial planning that is socially and ecologically equitable in addition to future forms of urbanization in the Horn of Africa. In their conversation, they make a case for contributory practices as a countermodel to capitalist spatial production—practices grounded in participation, contextual responsiveness, and collaborative design.”

Angélil, Marc and Mamo, Zegeye Cherenet. “Contributory Practices – Grassroots Urbanization in Ethiopia.” ARCH+ Journal for Architecture and Urbanism African Spatial Thinking, no. 262 (2025): 170–81.

How can historic churches be transformed sustainably? In the master design studio “Matthäus-Vision” last summer semester, our students developed concepts for repurposing the listed Matthäuskirche in Karlsruhe – focusing on circular construction methods, social impact, and cultural responsibility.

We’re excited that BauNetz Campus reported on our work!

BauNetz (2025). Heilige Hülle, neue Nutzung: Das Studio “Matthäus Vision”. [online] BauNetz. https://www.baunetz-campus.de/news/heilige-huelle-neue-nutzung-das-studio-matthaeus-vision-10164333 [abgerufen am 05.12.2025].

Tender Number: 1334/2025

Organizational Unit: Institute IEB
Start Date: 1. February 2026
Scope of work: Part-time 50%

More information here.

Together with students from Addis Ababa University (AAU) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), we have developed an innovative prototype for sustainable loam buildings. The “Tukul 2.0” project combines traditional Ethiopian roundhouse architecture with the rammed earth technique established in Europe. The aim is to create a robust, durable, and easy-to-implement construction method that uses local resources and respects cultural building practices.

In October 2025, a team of KIT students traveled to Ethiopia to work with students from Addis Ababa University to realize the prototype. Thanks to financial support from the STO Foundation, the traditional tukul typology was implemented using modern earth construction methods. A particular challenge was the development of a round wooden formwork made of modular elements. 

The project shows how intercultural cooperation and innovative approaches can further develop sustainable construction methods. Rammed earth has a long tradition in Europe and is currently experiencing a major renaissance. Today, the technique offers a pragmatic, resource-saving alternative, as the materials are locally available and fully recyclable.

“The KIT Material Library is part of a larger research project on sustainable and circular construction. It investigates how materials can be designed, used, and returned to closed cycles in the future. The focus is on building materials that are locally available or produced and can either be composted biologically or recycled technically without any loss of quality. The library sees itself as a repository of knowledge and a tool for training a generation of architects who design responsibly and with an eye to the future.”

BauNetz (2025). Materialwissen zum Anfassen: Die KIT Materialbibliothek. [online] BauNetz. https://www.baunetz-campus.de/news/materialwissen-zum-anfassen-die-kit-materialbibliothek-10099461 [abgerufen am 19.11.2025].

More about the Post on here on Baunetz Campus

In an interview with RKW, Sandra Böhm and Elena Boerman from KIT emphasised the importance of using recyclable materials in sustainable construction. To avoid waste and conserve resources, these materials should be reusable without any loss of quality. In particular, they argue that the recycling of building materials from existing buildings — the ‘urban mine’ — could be improved. Currently, many materials are not separated during demolition, composites make recycling difficult, and only a small proportion is recycled.

Historic wooden and half-timbered buildings demonstrate that high-quality, functionally designed biological materials can last for centuries. This optimises the utilisation of material potential and enables later reuse.

‘What we need is a new openness to a variety of materials – especially those that are recyclable, i.e. that can circulate permanently in biological or technical cycles.’ says Sandra Böhm. The experts also emphasise the need for material diversity: there is no such thing as a ‘panacea material’. Durable, efficient structures can only be created through the targeted combination of different recyclable building materials. This diversity should be taught in practical training and studies to equip architects and craftsmen to design buildings that are environmentally friendly, resource-efficient and built to last for generations.

The construction sector contributes significantly worldwide to global greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, raw material consumption, and energy use. Against this backdrop, the construction transition represents both a demand and a process that places building practices in relation to the climate crisis, planetary boundaries and the potential achievement of the 1.5-degree target. However, this transition in construction can only succeed if it is closely and directly linked to a material transition.

On the one hand, the substitution of mineral-based building materials with natural and secondary materials is crucial; on the other hand, strategies of sufficiency and resource efficiency are essential to enable the long-overdue transformation of the construction industry.

The lecture series “Material Transition” explores, among other things, the significance and principles of sustainable practices, presents alternatives to the use of mineral-based materials, and conveys the fundamentals of circular design and construction. The series is a collaboration between the Natural Building Lab (Technical University of Berlin), the Chair of Architecture and Timber Construction (Technical University of Munich), and the Institute for Design and Building Technology (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), under the direction of the Professorship for Sustainable Construction. This initiative contributes to raising awareness of sustainable building methods and successfully implementing the goals of the construction transition.

Tuesdays 15:45-17:15 h via ZOOM

The lecture series presents and discusses the basics and considerations of sustainable building. On the one hand the importance of the topic in its historical dimension and on the other hand its relevance for future building tasks will be highlighted. The focus is on the question of the sensible and ethically justifiable use of natural resources in construction. The concept of sustainability is discussed in its ecological, economic, sociological and aesthetic dimensions specifically for future construction tasks. Students are to be enabled to reflect independently and critically on the topics described and to integrate them into their design tasks.

Wednesdays, 9:45-11:15 am
Bldg. 20.40, Fritz-Haller-Hörsaal (ground floor)
First meeting: 29.10.25
Submission/Exam: 04.03.26

The lecture series provides an overview of the origin or production as well as the specific properties and application possibilities of the most important building materials. Aspects of the sensible use of the materials, resistance and protective measures, advantages and disadvantages compared to other building materials, as well as examples of outstanding applications in historical and contemporary buildings are presented. In addition to well-known and widely used building materials, new and alternative materials and their research are discussed. The students should be taught a respectful and sustainable understanding of materials, whereby the knowledge of the specific characteristics and possible applications of the materials should naturally be incorporated into the design planning.

Fridays, 9:45-1:00 am
Bldg. 20.40, Egon-Eiermann-Hörsaal 
First meeting: 31.10.2025
Submission/Exam: Friday, 27.02.2026

The Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, opened in 1846 as one of Germany’s first public museums, is one of the most important art museums in the state. In order to present its collections in a contemporary manner and better fulfil its educational mission, the museum needs modern premises. A competition was therefore launched in 2017, from which Staab Architekten emerged as the winner in 2018. In addition to the renovation and restructuring of the historic main building, which will be implemented from mid-2024, ideas for an extension of equal value on the neighbouring district court site and an underground passage connecting the buildings were also presented.

As part of the design studio, this functionally and programmatically necessary extension is to be developed in line with circular construction principles, while preserving the existing building. The ‘Kunsthalle der Gegenwart’ will house collections from the 20th and 21st centuries, special exhibitions, offices for art history and communication, a copperplate engraving cabinet and rooms for paper restoration. The former courthouse, built in 1962, will also be opened to the urban community and will house a restaurant and an art library. The extension represents the transformation of the museum into an open, inviting art campus for social exchange and cultural participation in Karlsruhe.

Support: Elena Boerman
Wednesdays and Thursdays in Studio

First Meeting: 30.10.2025, 10.00 AM (Bldg. 20.40, R tbd)
Important Dates: 18.11.2025, 09.12.2025, 15.01.2026
Excursion: 15.-16.11.2025, Museological Tour
Submission: 24.02.2026
Presentation: 26.02.2026
Form: Teamwork
Focus of study: Architectural and Cultural Heritage

As part of the Urban Mining Student Award 2025/26, we are looking for visionary ideas for the sustainable reuse of existing buildings in German cities—both in terms of urban densification and the preservation of valuable architectural heritage. The Faculty of Architecture at KIT has already won this competition four times in recent years, and we are once again eager to take on the challenge this year.

This year’s focus is on the respectful transformation and circular renovation of a historic industrial site: the former textile factory Hardt & Pocorny in Radevormwald near Wuppertal. The goal is to develop a creative and forward-looking concept for the sustainable reuse of historic structures—an increasingly relevant task in the years to come. The competition calls to develop spatial and organizational synergies and innovative living space concepts through intergenerational living, commercial uses, and the integration of a training center for skilled trades. The goal is to create a place where people can live and work in close proximity, while also providing new momentum for a revival of craftsmanship. The design process should address the following key questions: How can a residential area be designed to be functionally flexible, support diverse lifestyles, and offer high-quality outdoor spaces? How can vocational training centers for skilled trades be integrated into everyday life and become a vibrant part of the neighborhood? And how can all of this be planned in a sustainable and future-oriented way?

The goal is to develop a viable concept that unites ecological, social, and economic aspects into a coherent and forward-thinking overall strategy.

Support: Lisa Behringer, Fanny Kaiser Hirt
Wednesdays and Thursdays in the Studio

First Meeting: 29.10.2025, 2:00 PM in the studio
Excursion: 14-16 November
Pin-Up: 10.12.2025
Submission: 23.02.2026
Presentation: 24.02.2026 

Africa is in the midst of a birth labor for thousands of new cities. This seminar explores Grassroots Urbanism as an alternative to the conventional models of city making that are top-down and capital-intensive. Instead, it champions community-based and locally sourced urban aggregates as approaches better positioned to trigger sustainable socio-spatial productions. Furthermore, in a continent ravaged by historical dispossession and extractive development, it asserts that a flourishing urban future lies in communities that grow roots in a place thereby cultivating a genuine sense of belonging.

Recognizing the centrality of Architecture in the shaping of places of belonging, the seminar investigates FORCES that directs architecture and urban FORMations. Through discussions, reflections on case studies, and collaborative exercises, the seminar aims to uncover latent potentials in architecture that empowers grassroots in the projection of a sustainable urban future for Africa.

First Meeting: 27.10.2025
Regular Meeting: Mondays, 14.00 – 15.30
Submission/Exam: 09.02.2026

Focus of study: Urban Design

The construction industry is responsible for 40% of all CO2 emissions in Germany. In order to meet climate targets, it is necessary to effectively reduce CO2 emissions throughout the entire life cycle of buildings. The seminar teaches the basics of life cycle assessment (LCA) as a tool for determining CO₂ emissions in construction. The focus is on global warming potential (GWP), which arises throughout the building life cycle in materials, construction, operation and demolition. Tools are used to record and evaluate the data in a structured manner. The aim is to quantify the environmental impact of construction measures in a comprehensible manner and to develop a sound understanding of future-oriented planning and construction in times of climate change.

Wednesdays, 9.45-11.15 AM
Bldg. 11.40, Room 26
First Meeting: 29.10.2025
Submission/Exam: 11.02.2026

As part of the ‘Kupfer Symposium’, Daniela Schneider will present her latest research on how copper can be reused more effectively across the construction and mechanical engineering sectors.

Although copper is highly recyclable, it is often only reused within a single industry. This project explores how smarter design, clear labelling and easier dismantling could help to recover pure copper and reintegrate it into new applications.

On 13 November at 11:50 am, she will present alongside Phillip Wallat as part of the session ‘Cross-sectoral reuse of copper-containing products and components in construction and mechanical engineering through a circular strategy’.

In the interview of Regina Link for “lookKIT” with Sandra Böhm and Elena Boerman from the Professorship of Sustainable Construction at KIT they share insights into circular building practices. Their work centers on circular buildings that allow materials to be reused at the same quality level, reducing waste and conserving resources.

A key example is RoofKIT, a full-scale prototype of a rooftop extension developed by students. It demonstrates how modular design and natural materials like sea grass, hemp, and mushroom mycelium can be used effectively in construction. RoofKIT also serves as a communication tool with industry stakeholders, making circularity tangible.

We are looking back on the last master design course of the summer semester with great appreciation. The semester began with a symposium that introduced students to Karlsruhe’s church architecture and the challenges of transforming religious spaces while preserving their cultural and historical value. A site visit to different churches in Karlsruhe deepened this understanding and set the tone for the design work ahead. The studio centered around the Matthäuskirche in Karlsruhe, a 1920s church by Hermann Alker, whose architectural significance offered a compelling starting point for exploring adaptive reuse in response to declining church membership and increasing vacancy.

The final presentation was a celebration of student creativity and commitment, showcasing diverse and thoughtful proposals for the church’s future. We thank all our students for their dedication and collaborative spirit, and for contributing to the ongoing conversation about the role of sacred spaces in today’s urban context.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the guest critics and lecturers who supported the studio throughout the semester, with special appreciation to Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uta Hassler, Wolfgang Stoll, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Duppel.

© Zooey Braun

The KIT Material Library has been honored in two categories of the Iconic Awards in August 2025: the Best of Best Interior category and the Circular Design category. The jury’s statement says: „The revitalised material library at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) serves as an analogue and digital knowledge repository for imparting knowledge on the subject of innovative building materials of the past, present and future. The project was realised by the Faculty of Architecture and the Professor of Sustainable Building at KIT, Dirk E-Hebel, in cooperation with STUDIO-MRA from Stuttgart. The newly arranged collection is accessible to students, interested members of the public and experts, who can also draw inspiration from the successful quality of a circular construction method. The interior is characterised not least by its exceptional clarity – it is minimalist, yet impressive and powerful.“

This year, Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH (WRS) is once again organising the 6th Symposium ‚Zukunft Bauen‘ in collaboration with the International Building Exhibition 2027 Stuttgart Region (IBA’27 GmbH and IBA’27 Friends e.V.).

Under the theme ‘People – Materials – Machines’, the symposium will focus on the profound changes taking place in the construction sector – in terms of technology, design and society. The central question is how we want to build – and with whom: What role do materials play? What about people? And how are machines changing what we do?

The symposium will take place on 8 October 2025 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Landeskasse Stuttgart. Elena Boerman will be speaking alongside Marietta Schwarz (Deutschlandfunk), Jun.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anja Lauer (University of Stuttgart) and Prof. Felix Dölker (Mainz University of Applied Sciences).

Despite high energy-efficiency standards, buildings account for around 40% of the CO2 emissions in Germany. This is why a number of scientists have published a manifesto with the aim of initiating a change of policy in the building and refurbishment sectors. “We have been relying on the same policy for decades – without achieving significant CO2 savings,” says Dirk E. Hebel, Professor of Sustainable Construction at KIT’s Department of Architecture and co-author of the manifesto. Since the oil crisis in the 1970s, the focus lies on the efficient use of energy. “To meet the housing subsidy standards, buildings must be insulated effectively. While the HVAC technology is becoming increasingly com-plex, energy consumption stagnates and emissions remain on a high level. We need to give up focusing on efficiency and tackle the emissions side directly,” says Hebel. 

The initiative proposes that the amount of CO2 emissions over a building’s entire life cycle be considered. This includes the production of the materials, the construction of the building, and its operation. “Only if a clear CO2 target value – which must be at net zero by 2045 – is met, a building permit should be granted,” says Hebel. Take Denmark as a model: The Danish authorities specify target values in kilograms of CO2 equivalent per square meter of floor space and lower those targets regularly. The current value is 7.1 kilograms. Those who undershoot the target value are entitled to construct, reconstruct, refurbish, or extend a building. No matter whether this is achieved through preservation of building stock, use of recycled materials or by operating with renewable energy – it is the result that counts. – Extract of Interview by Christoph Karcher. LooKIT 0225, 2025.

On October 2, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the opening forum of the Zukunft.Bau.Stoffe. event series will take place at the Triangel in Karlsruhe. Elena Boerman and Sandra Böhm will give a presentation on the potential and prospects of renewable building materials.

The construction industry faces diverse challenges – and the bioeconomy offers powerful solutions with bio-based materials, regional value chains, and innovative construction methods. The natureplus event series “Zukunft.Bau.Stoffe. – Bioeconomy in Construction” (as part of the natureplus project BAUWERT_BW) demonstrates how this works in expert forums and practical workshops.

David Ertl, 2025 © Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

In 2025, the Bundeskunsthalle is focusing on ecological transformation. The exhibition  “WEtransFORM. On the Future of Building“ invites visitors to engage in a lively debate about the future of our built environment. The focus is on fundamental design principles for a climate-friendly renewal of our building culture. Around 80 projects are on display, all of which deal with the challenges of climate change in an exemplary manner. (Text: Bundeskunsthalle)

The KIT Professorship of Sustainable Construction is contributing to the exhibition with selected exhibits, photographs and video material on the projects ‘Urban Mining and Recycling Unit’ in the Nest and ‘RoofKIT’. The exhibition can be visited from 6 June 2025 to 25 January 2026 at the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn.

We took the KIT Material Library’s contribution to the exhibition “Architecture and Energy – Building in the Age of Climate Change” as a chance to visit the DAM Frankfurt and the exhibition together.

Dr. Annette Becker, who curated the exhibition together with Werner Sobek, was so kind to guide us through the exhibition. This gave us an even better insight into the projects presented and the aims of the exhibition. Thank you very much!

The day before, the DAM provided us a room where we were able to plan the next semester, inspired by the surroundings of the Architecture Museum. We are looking forward to teaching and research as well as to exciting projects in the winter semester.

© Professorship Sustainable Construction

At the end of the summer semester, the KIT Department of Architecture cordially invited guests to its annual exhibition “Reinschauen” on 16 July 2025. The professors, departments and studios opened their doors and presented work and projects from the past academic year, providing an insight into the diversity of teaching and research at the faculty.

In addition to current publications and design models from the winter semester, the Professorship of Sustainable Construction provided insights into ongoing research and construction projects involving mycelium, rammed earth and reclaimed wood, as well as the work of three doctoral students who are investigating the potential of biological insulation materials, circular construction and CO2 reduction in the building industry as part of their research.

Team MycoLab (Nazanin Saeidi, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany) was selected as one of the top 5 finalists for the prestigious Evergreen Prize 2025, sponsored by HS Timber Group and organized by the Evergreen Privatstiftung. Our project, “From Waste to Resource – Advancing Circular Bio-Based Materials for the Construction Industry,” was recognized by a distinguished jury of timber experts for its innovative approach and impact. During an exhilarating day of live presentations at the Vienna City Hall on 26 May 2025, witnessed by over 900 attendees from more than 50 countries, Team MycoLab advanced to the top 3, showcasing the global potential of circular, bio-based solutions in construction.

Team Mycolab was competing with Team BranchUP (Maximilian Pramreiter, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Austria), Team Hyperlignification (Emil Engelund Thybring, University of Copenhagen, Denmark), Team Transparent Wood (Yuanyuan Li, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden) and Team LignoVolt (Ingo Burgert, ETH Zürich, Switzerland).

The live presentations took place at the Vienna City Hall. Team MycoLab advanced to the top 3, showcasing the global potential of circular, bio-based solutions in construction.

For more information watch the video about the team and their presentation here.

Two stories high and made from sustainable materials, the mobile research pavilion ‘Residence’ now stands in a prominent location on the Sommerberg in Ebringen. The pavilion – declared a shelter for hikers for planning reasons – was originally designed by the KIT Professorships Digital Design and Fabrication (DDF), Design of Structures (dos) and Sustainable Construction (NB) for the 2024 State Garden Show in Wangen im Allgäu to showcase the current state of sustainable construction. After the end of the show, it found its permanent home in Ebringen.

Text: Badische Zeitung, Thursday 10 July 2025

Find out more about the research project here.

In the podcast episode “Zeitfragen” broadcast on June 17, 2025, on Deutschlandfunk Kultur, hemp lime was discussed as a sustainable building material and alternative to concrete. Hemp as a building material offers advantages throughout its entire life cycle in terms of its environmental compatibility, for example with regard to the uncomplicated and pesticide-free cultivation of the raw material, or in terms of its excellent physical properties, such as its diffusion openness.

Sandra Böhm, along with other protagonists in the podcast, talks about the advantages of hemp as a building material. She particularly emphasizes the need for targeted use of materials and a new diversity of materials necessary for a sustainable construction industry.

The construction industry accounts for about 40 percent of the emissions responsible for climate change, and thus more than any other sector. It is therefore critically important to reduce as quickly as possible both the CO2 emissions and the energy inputs involved in the manufacture and operation of buildings. It is crucial to create an awareness of the urgent need for change. To this end we must understand its causes, impacts, and background. 

The exhibition Architecture and Energy – Building in the Age of Climate Change provides the necessary information, and it supplements this with built examples that combine attractive architecture with a climate-conscious approach to emissions and energy. A total of 23 international projects are visualized and described in detail; all of them show what can be achieved in the field of climate-appropriate architectural culture today. (Text: DAM)

The material library of the Department of Architecture at KIT, which is under the scientific direction of the Professorship of Sustainable Construction, is contributing to the exhibition with an excerpt from its material collection and the associated data on the environmental impact of building materials. The exhibition Architecture and Energy – Building in the Age of Climate Change, which was created in collaboration with Prof. Werner Sobek, can be visited from 14 June to 5 October at the Deutsches Architektur Museum in Frankfurt am Main.

On May 13, over 80 participants from business, science, administration, politics, and civil society gathered at Steamwork Karlsruhe — joined by 20+ remote experts — for a full-day vision workshop on the Circular Economy. Their shared goal: to develop the foundation for a city-wide vision of a circular Karlsruhe.

Four key vision areas emerged: Circular Construction, Circular Value Creation, Lifestyle and Consumption and Local Food Systems. Elena Boerman was invited to participate in the workshop group of Circular Construction on behalf of the Professorship of Sustainable Construction.

The workshop results will feed into a feasibility study to inform political decision-making in fall 2025. Further engagement formats and a #CircularKarlsruhe network are in the works by the Wirtschaftsförderung of Karlsruhe.

The editors of the nbau magazine write about the book: “Vom Bauen mit erneuerbaren Materialien is a whirlwind tour through the increasingly important world of the most important biological and geological building materials. Much is already possible today. At the same time, renewable materials seem to hold the promise of a climate-positive future for the construction industry based on a bio-based circular economy. In this sense, the book is both an overview and an appetiser.”

In the context of the Green Deal in Construction event, hosted by SIHGA in Gmunden, Austria, on 20 March 2025, Sandra Böhm and Elena Boerman gave a presentation on renewable materials and were interviewed by Thomas Hutzinger as part of the SIHGA TimberTalk series.

The interview focuses on necessary measures for resource-efficient and sustainable construction on the production and application side, areas of application for bio-based and innovative materials, and political and economic incentives to accelerate change in the construction industry.

Transformation of the Matthäuskirche in Karlsruhe

The architectural heritage of Christian churches still shapes the cultural landscape of Europe today and plays a central role in the collective memory of many cities. However, as a result of alienation from urban society, a decline in church membership and the associated shortage of capital, vacant churches are becoming increasingly common. In order to address this issue, this semester’s design task is to develop concepts for the future use and conversion of German churches, using the Matthäuskirche in Karlsruhe as an example.

The Matthäuskirche by the architect Hermann Alker is an important example of architectural history in Karlsruhe. Built as an emergency church in the 1920s after the First World War, it is characterized by its constructive solutions. A symposium at the beginning of the semester will provide an introduction to Karlsruhe church buildings, strategic issues in the course of church conversions and conservation challenges. A site visit is also planned as part of this event.

The design studio will focus on analyzing the existing building, understanding its structural and functional potential and developing concepts for further use. Short-term and long-term subsequent use scenarios are to be examined in order to develop a conversion or reuse solution that preserves the historical substance. The design should take particular account of the use of resource-saving building materials and sustainable construction methods. The work will be carried out in groups of two.

Supervised by: Fanny Amelie Hirt

First Meeting: 24.04.2025
Symposium and Excursion: 08.05.2025
Submission: 06.08.2025
Presentation: 06.08.2025

We travel to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. While modern architecture dominates the cities, the rural areas are traditionally characterized by “tukuls” – round, simple loam houses. A contemporary reinterpretation of this construction method is being developed as part of the Building Week: The “Tukul 2.0” combines the traditional architecture of Ethiopia with rammed earth technologies known in Europe.

In collaboration with students from the School of Built Environment (formerly EiABC) at Addis Ababa University, prototypes will be created that enable a more robust, durable and yet simple construction method. The focus is on the intercultural exchange of knowledge between Ethiopian and German students.

First orientation meeting: 7 May 2025, 3:00 PM, Bldg. 11.40 Room 26

Excursion one week in the period 28.09.25 to 12.10.2025

The materials library houses conventional building materials as well as recyclable building materials made from secondary and renewable raw materials. The seminar focuses on biological insulation materials, which serve both – thermal insulation and summer heat protection. Against the backdrop of climate change and the resulting high relevance of an optimized building envelope, the opportunities and limitations of these insulation materials are examined.

Students will conduct independent and critical research on selected insulation materials, aiming to present sustainable alternatives based on detailed data sheets and physical material samples. The seminar will be accompanied by supervision, workshops, lectures, and excursions.

First Meeting: April 22, 2025
Submission/Exam: July 22, 2025
Focus of study: Building Technology

Smaller excursions will take place in the Karlsruhe area.