One of the main goals of the course is distribution of the background knowledge concerning use of renewable raw materials in the building industry. Students can learn about the diversity of renewable raw materials, their implementation, and other building solutions in association with Appropriate Technology criteria. Apart from the technical properties of materials and construction, their ecological performances need to be understood. Introduction of current research activities and achievements will give the students an overview of national and international upfront movement.

The programme focuses on the material aspect (sustainable building with renewable raw materials), which has been so far relatively neglected in energy optimisation of buildings. A wide spectrum of vegetable- (and animal-) based raw materials like wood, straw, hemp, flax or reed will be introduced. Through tests and inspections their functional properties can be evaluated. Furthermore, various applications such as manufacturing progresses for natural surfaces, roof covering and wall constructions will be demonstrated. The potential use of renewable raw materials in the building industry will be recognised through selected examples (e.g. House of Tomorrow programme). The successful transfer of research findings shows that modern sustainable architecture can be realised in a practical way. Based on the long-term development experience in straw bale building of lecturers, different constructional systems and variants will be discussed. Also development steps, quality parameters, measurement methods and achievements will be presented.

There are a large number of traditional ways of using renewable raw materials worldwide. The methods have been tested and optimised already for hundreds of years. The challenge of today is to adapt these sustainable solutions according to the requirements of the present. This approach is not only possible and meaningful, but also brings important advantages in the fields of climate protection, comfort of living, economics, functionality, recycling, and disposal. The lecturers have carried out many research projects with regard to sustainable raw materials for building. For example, the demonstration passive house, S-HOUSE , was completely constructed with renewable raw materials. Target group: architects, construction engineers, energy engineers, house technicians, land management and construction technicians Previous knowledge recommended: - background in designing - background in material science Dates: - block course - preliminary talk on 22nd October, 5.30 p.m. ( !! POSTPONED!! ), Seminarraum Argentinierstraße (Groundfloor, accessbile from Paniglgasse), Argentinierstraße 8, 1040 Vienna Leader of the lecture: Dr. Robert Wimmer Related links: www.grat.at www.s-house.at www.nawaro.com

Written Individual term paper for the given topics

R. Wimmer, L. Janisch, H. Hohensinner, M. Drack: Wall systems made of renewable resources; "Building of Tomorrow", Vienna 2001 Wimmer, R., Hohensinner H., M. Drack (2006): S-HOUSE, Innovative utilization of renewable raw materials as in the example of an office and exhibition building for the project "building of tomorrow", Nachhaltig Wirtschaften konkret , Reports from Energy and Environmental research, Nr. 12/2006, Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology, Vienna 2006