Introduction to sustainable construction

To achieve the European Union (EU) climate targets for 2030 and 2050, the building sector remains one of the most polluting while also having significant potential to reduce environmental impact. As a result, requirements for buildings are continuously becoming stricter, covering not only energy efficiency but also a wider range of sustainability indicators. These changes require specialists to develop new knowledge and competencies.
The aim of this course is to provide a foundation in building sustainability. The course includes an overview of the current situation in the building sector, introduces the legal and policy framework for sustainable construction, and explains the concept of sustainable buildings, assessment criteria and methods, as well as principles and measures for improving building sustainability.

• EU climate targets and their links to buildings. National requirements and measures

• Overview of the building sector

• The concept of sustainable buildings and energy efficiency in the context of sustainability

• Building energy balance, primary and final energy, energy efficiency

• Calculation of building primary energy and CO2 emissions for different cases

• Building sustainability assessment methods and criteria

• Building sustainability throughout the life cycle. Principles of life cycle analysis

• Analysis of real building examples

• Principles of sustainable building design (architecture, structures, systems)

• Sustainable construction processes (circularity, digital design processes)

• Sustainable building operation (comfort and energy, system management)

• Presentation and discussion of assignments