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Architecture Scientist investigating a building model

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Baukultur und Bauen im Bestand Integrated area and building planning for resilient settlement areas

Baukultur and adaptive reuse are crucial for the sustainable and high-quality development of our built environment. The Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture researches innovative strategies and concepts to make existing structures fit for the future while at the same time preserving cultural heritage.

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The conflicting priorities of society, ecology and the economy give rise to numerous conflicting objectives that increase the complexity of structural transformation processes. At the same time, current developments such as climate change and demographic change are increasing the pressure on our buildings, settlements and landscapes to adapt. Our researchers deal with these challenges and develop strategies, concepts and processes for the sustainable and high-quality development of the built environment. Integral building planning specifically combines structural, energy and social factors so that sites and districts can be understood holistically. 

The Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture develops innovative solutions that meet the needs of our partners in industry, business, politics and society. We take aesthetic, technical, economic, legal, social, ecological, political and cultural aspects into account. We work together in an application-oriented and interdisciplinary manner on sustainable developments from the interior to the building envelope and building technology through to resilient settlement areas.

Our expertise in Baukultur and adaptive reuse

Functional and user-centered interiors 

We explore interiors with a high quality of stay, adaptability and flexibility, which are therefore of high value in terms of building culture and are ecologically sustainable.

Conversion and building in existing buildings

We develop strategic and planning solutions for appropriate utilization concepts and research how existing structures can be sensibly repurposed and renewed from the inside out in terms of sustainability.

Material and construction in the building envelope

We deal with the use of new materials and constructions for the building envelope as well as the development of resource-saving and energy-efficient façade systems. During development, the focus is on parameterization, modularization and automated industrial prefabrication using digital methods and tools.

Geotechnics and natural hazards

We deal with challenging issues in geotechnics and hydraulic engineering. We also investigate special impacts such as wind and earthquakes on buildings and infrastructure structures and develop strategies for coping with possible effects.

Innovative structural concepts and design 

We deal with the development and current basic questions of the design of innovative, resource-saving and sustainable load-bearing structures in civil engineering. Our focus is on solid construction, but also on steel construction, timber construction and composite construction.

Emergency Architecture

We research interdisciplinary process design and the inclusion of non-specialist subject areas as important foundations for finding innovative solution strategies in the design process in a disruptive context.

Transformation for a resilient settlement area 

We research the interaction between people and architecture as an important contribution to the development of a resilient and sustainable living space that offers a quality life and design opportunities for future generations in a post-anthropocene future.

Open Architecture

We explore how to deal with the permanent pressure to adapt in a world of radical change. The focus is on dealing with uncertainty and process.

Sufficient building technology systems

We deal with the supply, distribution and delivery of energy and media in buildings. Our aim is to establish systemically sustainable building technology with the help of studies, tools (simulation models) and concrete concepts and technical solutions.

Climate-adapted buildings and areas

We research measures that can be taken in the planning, construction and operation of buildings and sites to reduce the impact of climate change on people.

Net zero building technology 

We develop measures to reduce CO2 emissions during the construction, operation and demolition of buildings with the aim of achieving a net-zero balance in the construction industry.

Focus on selected research and services

Digitales Bauen

Digitalization in the construction industry

The digital transformation is also making steady inroads into the construction industry. Technological and social demands are visibly on the increase, too. The Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture operates the digitalesBauen@T&A thematic platform so that all those involved can have an active hand in shaping this transformation.

Matrialität

Material in the field of tension between process, design and effect

Materialität@hslu is a transdisciplinary thematic platform at the Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture that promotes the conscious use of resources and forges direct links between materials, production and design. Working with Swiss companies, it develops innovative, high-quality solutions with the aim of improving their competitiveness.

Tiny House mit Terassse

Kleinwohnformen: Wohn- und Lebensraum mit Potenzial?

Ein interdisziplinäres Forschungsprojekt untersucht das Potenzial von Kleinwohnformen wie Tiny Houses, Micro-Apartments und Mobilheimen. Der Fokus liegt auf dem Spannungsfeld von Individualisierung und Verdichtung im Kontext der Nachhaltigkeit.

Regeneratives Bauen «Think Earth»

Das Flagship Projekt «Think Earth» erforscht den Prozess des klimaneutralen Bauens mit Holz und Lehm. Im Mittelpunkt stehen Materialien, Bauprozesse, architektonische Fragegstellung zum Entwurf sowie Rahmenbedingungen für regeneratives Bauen. Ein Schwerpunkt konzentriert sich auf die Entwicklung von Holz-Lehm-Hybridbauteile, die auf ihren Einsatz in der Praxis überprüft werden.

Quartierklima: Sozioökonomische Implikationen von Hitzeinseln

Wie wirkt sich die lokale Hitzebildung auf unsere Wohnqualität und auf Immobilienwerte aus? Welche wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Folgen entstehen daraus? Dies untersucht u.a. das Projekt ITC – Quartierklima: Sozioökonomische Implikationen von Hitzeinseln.

Nachhaltige Baustellen in Städten

Die Hochschule Luzern (HSLU) hat ein Forschungsprojekt gestartet, um die Elektrifizierung von Baustellen voranzutreiben. Entstehen soll eine Plattform für den Austausch zwischen verschiedenen Akteurinnen und Akteuren. Ziel ist auch, durch die Umstellung auf E-Baustellen CO₂-Emissionen und Lärm zu reduzieren.

Ziegelsteine mit Moos

GreenBrick: eine neuartige extensive Fassadenbegrünung

Das Projekt untersucht, wie nachhaltige und passiv-klimaregulierende Ansätze zukunftsgerichtet auf eine extensive vertikale Begrünung übertragen werden können.

Our experts in this field