What will the city of tomorrow look like? What kinds of buildings will we live and work in? How will we get our energy? The students and teaching staff of the Department of Building, Energy & Society at FH JOANNEUM are taking an active part in planning and building our living environment.
Devising responsible transport solutions, designing sustainable buildings for living and working or exploring forms of renewable energy: these are just a few of the tasks which students on the Bachelor’s programmes Construction Design & Economics and Energy, Mobility and Environmental Management are tackling. The Master’s programmes Architecture, Construction Management and Engineering and Energy and Transport Management are also developing and implementing concepts for sustainable and functional cities of tomorrow.
Smart cities, thin glass and timber construction
FH JOANNEUM is conducting research in a number of fields in order to incorporate the latest findings into its courses. Through their expertise in energy, mobility and environmental management the staff at FH JOANNEUM are developing cutting-edge smart city simulations and exploring ways of developing cities and regions in a socially acceptable manner.
Research also focuses on the use of ultra-thin glass (maximum two millimetres thick) in the construction sector and new solutions for timber design. The construction programmes use a lifecycle approach to building design where energy efficiency and careful use of resources are considered from the planning stage right through to the building’s demolition or recycling. Thanks to FH JOANNEUM’s close cooperation with the construction industry, all the findings are implemented and incorporated straight into teaching. As a result, everyone benefits from applied research at FH JOANNEUM.
“Our living spaces of the future must meet the increasing demands of our society as regards functionality, quality and greater cost consciousness and awareness of environmental issues. This includes construction quality, energy supply, traffic management and urban planning taking into account the changes occurring in our society”, says Michaela Kofler, head of the Department of Building, Energy & Society.
In addition to the necessary technical and business knowledge for tackling these challenges, the students acquire social skills and expertise in legal matters. What else do they need for innovative and creative solutions? Joined-up thinking and an international perspective.