Besides climate protection and the protection of soil, water and air, and the protection of human society and health; sustainable design, planning and building mean, above all, consideration for the demands of future (user) generations.

It is therefore necessary to establish sustainability as a body of principles in architectural and building construction education, to question and break open the traditional image of the architect and to advocate a perception of the role of architecture that considers the overall system.

Elaboration of knowledge and expertise in building, planning, and design basics within the perspective of an integral, sustainable vision of architecture.

Learning the instruments and tools for sustainable design, planning and building. Discussing the job description of architects, with regard to their self-perception as generalists, service-providers or specialists as well as partners in the planning-process in the sense of interdisciplinary teamwork.

Investigation and evaluation of a building’s ecological, economic and socio-cultural qualities. Presentation of principles and methods that can reduce a building’s energy consumption.

Presentation and investigation of alternative building methods, constructive and material-specific innovations and further developments, with a focus on their significance for sustainability, cost-effectiveness in construction, and for the operation and maintenance of structures and buildings. Deeper basic understanding of materials and components, as well as their characteristics and the principles of assembly, in exchange with professionals from the practice of building and planning.

Overview and discussion of the guidelines, regulations, standards and norms in the construction trade and their ramifications for sustainable planning.