Professur Nachhaltiges Bauen / Sustainable Construction

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.

Cities are spaces of complex co-existence. Be it among ourselves or with the multiplicities of elements of nature, the question of co-existence is increasingly challenged by our collective actions. In our experiment to find a hopeful and sustainable way of coexistence, the continent of Africa offers a vast space of enquiry. In just 25 years, close to a billion additional people are expected to claim the hope that urban living offers in Africa. Such a mass of need creates a vast opportunity to reimagine new forms of urbanism. 

Recognizing the vastness and multidimensionality of Africa, the seminar will be a space of optimistic speculations on urban futures – a thought experiment based on discussions and projective exercises. By interrogating the practices of Architecture and Urban Design – through selected projects in Africa, the seminar also aims to sketch a Framework-of-Engagement that can help to ensure the relevance of architecture in the production of Hopeful-Urban-Futures.

First Meeting: 22.04.2025, Bld. 11.40 Room 26
Submission/Exam: 22.07.2025
Focus of study: Urban Design

We are travelling to Copenhagen by train to explore how Denmark has managed to become the most successful protagonist of sustainable construction in Europe, using the example of the northern European metropolis. We want to learn from it.

By visiting innovative pioneering projects – by Lendager, EFFEKT, C.F. Moeller and others – we are made aware of a climate-resilient citie´s potential, concepts of circular construction and intelligent approaches to CO2 balancing.

Academic guest lectures will provide us with state oft he art insights and Exploring the concept of Hygge will complete the program of our academic journey.

Supervised by: Prof. Dirk E. Hebel, Elena Boerman, Fanny Hirt, Han Jun Yi

First Meeting: 15.05.2025, 14:00 Uhr, Geb. 11.40 Raum 26
Excursion: 09.06. – 14.06.2025

On Monday, April 07, 2025, in the second event of the talk series Zegeye Cherenet delivered a conversation with Lesley Lokko at Lucerne theatre. 

The “African Voices Lucerne” series brings together prominent figures from Africa to discuss the future of the continent and its place in the world. The guests cover a broad spectrum of expertise: they include scientists, artists, intellectuals, educators, architects, civil society leaders, and religious leaders. Each event brings together a guest from Africa with a person of African descent living in Switzerland.

“African Voices Lucerne” is a joint initiative of the Arthur Waser Foundation and the Lucerne Theater. The series of discussions presents diverse African perspectives and offers nuanced insights that enrich our understanding of Africa and its place in the world.

The second event brings Lesley Lokko into conversation with Zegeye Cherenet.

Lesley Lokko is a Ghanaian-Scottish architect, educator, and bestselling author. She is the founder and chair of the African Futures Institute in Ghana and was the curator of the 18th Venice International Architecture Exhibition in 2023. In addition to her work in architecture, she has published 13 bestselling novels that have been translated into 15 languages.

Zegeye Cherenet is President of the Alliance for Building Communities (ABC) and Assistant Professor at the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building & City Development (EiABC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He holds a doctorate from HafenCity University Hamburg and is co-author of the book “Grassroots Urbanization: Architecture in Community and Town-Building in Ethiopia” (2026).

Henri-Michel Yéré, a lecturer and researcher at the University of Basel, will moderate the discussion. Born in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, he has worked in both the private sector and academia. He has also published several volumes of poetry.

Last week, the final reviews of Design Studio “HIRZBERG+ – Micro-Multifunctional Room for a Kindergarten in Freiburg” took place. Congratulations to all students!

The Haus für Kinder am Hirzberg in Freiburg is to be expanded to include a micro-multifunctional room due to a lack of space on its own property. This was the focus of the semester project and will be realised in cooperation with the Freiburg-based architecture office hotz + architekten. The room is to serve as a lounge and work space for employees, as well as a space for curative education activities and parent-teacher meetings. The design centred around a detailed examination of the environmental impacts, structural-economic, structural-technical and building-physical issues, as well as the use of resource-efficient, single-origin building materials such as renewable and secondary building materials, with sustainable, cycle-friendly construction methods and their design-technical effects on function and aesthetics, with planning up to a scale of 1:1.

Over the course of the winter semester, 8 groups of Bachelor’s and Master’s students approached these complex questions in a variety of ways. Since everyone has worked tirelessly on the project, we are very happy to give you an insight into the results. You can take a look at the diverse solutions since February 21 until March 6 in the exhibition at the KIT Faculty of Architecture in building 20.40 on the second floor.

By combining wood and agricultural waste with mycelium as a natural binder, a sustainable material is created without the need for fresh wood or synthetic adhesives. This material offers density and stability comparable to OSB, MDF, and particle boards. It is suitable for furniture construction, drywall systems, and as a substitute for synthetic insulation materials.

A 1:1 demonstrator at KIT showcases NEWood as an interior wall system and furniture component. The circular room system serves as a quiet meeting space where students and staff can test the material. The goal is to achieve market readiness within two to four years.

Find out more about the project here or in the blog post below.

The integration of 100 % biological insulation materials in circular construction systems is one example for forward-looking solutions for resource-efficient architectures. Currently, the most commonly used insulation materials consist of synthetic or mineral raw materials as well as biobased-synthetic mixtures that cannot be returned to the biological cycle. In contrast to this, the use of biological single-variety insulation materials in combination with reversible construction techniques enables a complete return of the insulations to the biological cycle or a further use in other construction systems. 

A part of the research at the Professorship of Sustainable Construction at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is concerned with resource-conserving use of materials and circular construction principles, which enable dismantling and reuse of the building materials. 100 % biological insulation materials in combination with a reversible construction can be part of climate protection, through the reuse of the insulation materials (saving of primary building materials), a corresponding reduction of primary resources and the reduction of CO₂ emissions through the mostly low-energy production of the biological products.At the BAU 2025 trade fair in Munich Daniela Schneider and Sandra Böhm gave a presentation regarding their current research results and practical applications of these concepts.

On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Sandra Böhm and Elena Boerman delivered a lecture at BAU 2025 in Munich on the “Potentials and Perspectives of Renewable Materials in Construction.” The lecture was based on last year’s publication by Fraunhofer IRB Verlag: “Vom Bauen mit erneuerbaren Materialien – Die Natur als Rohstofflager”.

The presentation took place as part of the conference “Zukunft des Bauens: Biobasierte Baustoffe im Fokus” in the “Innovation Hub” forum.

The event provided a platform to explore the potential of biobased building materials and discuss the challenges and opportunities of integrating renewable materials into construction practices. Particular emphasis was placed on how the construction industry can contribute to a more sustainable future through the conscious use of such materials.

Research Project NEWood – Sustainable material innovation for the construction and furniture industry

Project representatives of all projects funded under the ‘Circular Construction – Climate Protection through Recycling Management’ programme © Baden-Württemberg Stiftung gGmbH

The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), under the direction of Prof. Rebekka Volk (IIP), is working in close collaboration with the project leader Dr. Nazanin Saeidi from the research department of the Professorship of Sustainable Construction (IEB) to develop the innovative material ‘NEWood’, a 100% bio-based and circular material alternative with great potential for the construction and furniture industries. This material is produced exclusively from wood processing residues, agricultural waste and mushroom mycelium – completely without fossil raw materials. In the process, biogenic carbon is permanently bound, making an important contribution to climate protection.

The construction and operation of buildings and the creation of infrastructure are responsible for around 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, cities consume over 75% of the world’s resources and generate about half of the global waste. In this context, alternative and sustainable materials such as NEWood are becoming increasingly important in order to significantly reduce the emissions of material-intensive industries and promote the circular economy.

The project aims to develop 1:1 demonstrators that illustrate the versatility of NEWood for interior wall systems and furniture components. These demonstrators will be designed to meet the legal standards of the construction and furniture industries in order to enable the material to be launched on the market. In addition, the project includes a life cycle analysis, a cost analysis and a feasibility study for industrialisation. The results will be presented at trade fairs, at the KIT Department of Architecture and in the central library of the KIT in order to make the application possibilities and the potential of NEWood visible to the public.

The project is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung gGmbH and will run from July 2024 to June 2026. In addition to the KIT, partners such as König + Neurath AG and Fiber Engineering are involved in the development.

NEWood combines innovation and sustainability. With its ability to permanently bind biogenic carbon and replace fossil materials, this material can revolutionise the circular economy in the construction and furniture industries. At the same time, it makes a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the climate.

In this interview, Dirk E. Hebel, discusses the urgent need to shift the construction industry from linear to circular processes. Hebel explains how the construction sector can reduce resource waste and CO₂ emissions by adopting a circular economy. He highlights the importance of “design for disassembly,” using pure materials, and reusing entire buildings and components. Through his vision, Hebel introduces an innovative approach to the future of architecture and construction, focusing on sustainability, resource efficiency, and circular value creation.

The KIT Material Library has been awarded the “Badischer Architektur Preis” (BDAP) in the Interior Design category for its innovative, circular concept. The renovation features materials that have already completed a life cycle, sourced from the so-called “urban mine”. All materials are sorted and installed without adhesives or silicones to maximize recyclability.

Manuel Rausch (STUDIO-MRA) was the lead architect of the Material Library. The design concept was developed in collaboration with the Material Library team, particularly the selection of materials for the interior was made with Professor Dirk E. Hebel, Sandra Böhm, Elena Boerman, and Thomas Kinsch.

With an extensive collection of building materials, the library offers students the chance to experience materials firsthand and integrate them into their design processes. The architectural redesign presents a bright, airy space with a gallery level that encourages interaction and exploration.

This material library serves as a knowledge repository for sustainable building materials, providing both analog and digital resources for research and education.

For more information, visit the BDAP website.

Micro-Multifunctional Room for a Kindergarten in Freiburg

The ‘Haus für Kinder am Hirzberg’ in Freiburg is characterised by its proximity to nature, built structures that have grown over time and space and an open room concept. In two existing buildings on a slope, which are connected by an intermediate building for access, the educational work of the team takes place in a homely atmosphere on different levels and always in close relation to the outdoors. The existing structure is complemented by a courtyard for the children to play in, which is protected by a small wooden tool shed facing the valley.

The kindergarten is now to be extended on its own site with a micro-multifunctional space, which is the focus of the semester assignment and which will subsequently be realised in cooperation with an architectural office based in Freiburg. The room will serve as a common and study room for staff as well as a room for curative education programmes and parent meetings. As the site is located within the “Roßkopf-Schloßberg” landscape conservation area, the preservation of the surrounding trees and copses as well as the protected wetland complex is an important design requirement. Particular importance is also attached to the spatial relationship between the existing buildings on the Hirzberg slope and the new spatial structure that is being created towards the valley, which should fit into the local landscape and provide a cosy atmosphere for the kindergarten staff.

The design is aiming for a detailed examination of the resulting environmental effects, building economics, structural engineering and building physics issues, as well as the use of resource-friendly, pure building materials such as renewable and secondary building materials, sustainable, circular construction methods and their design-related effects on function and aesthetics with planning up to a scale of 1:1.

Supervised by: Elena Boerman

First Meeting: 24.10.2024, 09.30 am (Bldg. 20.40, R 208)
Excursion: 15.11.2024, Freiburg
Pin-Up: 11.12.2024
Submission: 19.02.2025
Presentation: 21.02.2025
Form: Teamwork

Living on the food market in Kaiserslautern

How do people want to live together today and tomorrow? What are the prerequisites for good neighbourliness in an urban context? How can contemporary living models be reflected in residential buildings? How can a market promote cohesion and identity in a neighbourhood

While modernism proclaimed a separation of work and living, today innovative housing construction must develop offers for increasingly differentiated lifestyles. The focus of the task is therefore a forward-looking residential housing project that will be constructed in conjunction with commercial use on the ground floor on a plot in a heterogeneous neighbourhood in Kaiserslautern. The architectural designs should take into account the housing needs of people in the city as well as the respectful treatment of the surrounding context, resources and environment. The aim is to make design decisions for housing and the market comprehensible on the basis of successful reference projects, which will be analysed during the semester. For example, the design-integrated examination of housing requirements in the city of Kaiserslautern, different forms of human coexistence, contemporary housing developments, innovative concepts for food markets, circular construction methods and materials, resulting environmental impacts, building economics, structural engineering and building physics issues as well as the requirements of stakeholders and the needs of different users contribute to this.

The task is a mixed-use project consisting of residential and a food market in Kaiserslautern, which is currently being supervised by the Regensburg-based company RATISBONA Handelsimmobilien, a leading project developer in the German and international retail sector, and the architectural firm KURIARCHITEKTEN and will be further developed as a real project following the semester.

Supervision: Fanny Hirt, Han Jun Yi
When? Wednesdays and Thursdays in the Studio

First Meeting: 23.10.2024, 2.00 pm (Bldg. 11.40, R 027)

Pin-Up: 11.12.2024
Excursion: 04.11.2024, Kaiserslautern
Submission: 18.02.2025
Presentation: 20.02.2025