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101-0588-01L 3 Credits MSC D-ITET , D-BAUG , D-ARCH , D-MAVT , D-GESS

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Re-/Source the Built Environment

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Guillaume Habert

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:23:18

Abstract

The course focuses on material choice and energy strategies to limit the environmental impact of construction sector. During the course, specific topics will be presented (construction technologies, environmental policies, social consequences of material use, etc.). The course aims to present sustainable options to tackle the global challenge we are facing and show that "it is not too late".

Objective

After the lecture series, the students are aware of the main challenges for the production and use of building materials. They know the different technologies/propositions available, and environmental consequence of a choice. They understand in which conditions/context one resource/technology will be more appropriate than another

Content

A general presentation of the global context allows to identify the objectives that as engineer, material scientist or architect needs to achieve to create a sustainable built environment. The course is then conducted as a serie of guest lectures focusing on one specific aspect to tackle this global challenge and show that "it is not too late". The lecture series is divided as follows: - General presentation - Notion of resource depletion, resilience, criticality, decoupling, etc. - Guest lectures covering different resources and proposing different option to build or maintain a sustainable built environment.

Resources

Lecture Notes

For each lecture slides will be provided.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: end-of-semester examination
Mode: written 60 minutes
Aids: Open Book
Digital: The exam takes place on devices provided by ETH Zurich.

A final written exam is planned for this course. It will be structured as multiple choice test with the possibility to include some open questions. The content of the test will be focused exclusively on topics discussed during the lectures.

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
seminar	Re-/Source the Built Environment No lecture during the seminar week (20.03.-24.03.2023).	Thu 11:45-13:30 (HIL E 1)	2 h weekly

Offered In

Civil Engineering Master
- Major Courses
  - Major in Construction and Maintenance Management
Architecture Master
- Core Courses
  - Field of Technology in Architecture
Energy Science and Technology Master
- Electives (These courses are particularly recommended, other ETH-courses from the field of Energy Science and Technology at large may be chosen in accordance with your tutor.)
  - Energy Flows and Processes
Integrated Building Systems Master
- Main Courses
  - Core Courses
Science, Technology, and Policy Master
- Electives
- Minor in Natural Sciences and Engineering
  - Urbanization and Planning
Landscape Architecture Master
- Advanced Courses (The specialized courses are freely selectable and offer students the opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge in certain areas of landscape architecture. The details for the performance assessments are regulated in Art. 27.)