Teaching and Education

Teaching and Education

We believe in research-based education. Our students don’t just read about zero emission and climate-positive design; they experience it through our courses and projects, preparing them to lead the green transition in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) industry.

Study Programs

  • MSc in Sustainable Architecture. Focusing on the design of climate-neutral buildings with high architectural quality.
  • Master in Architecture. We contribute to several topics throughout the 5 year program, including sustainability, building physics, technical system performance, light and visual perception, and integrated energy design, and how these can be combined with architectural, spatial, and social qualities. 
  • PhD Programme in Architecture. A doctoral programme providing advanced academic training and research specialization for candidates with a master’s degree background.

Key Courses

  • An Introduction to Sustainable Architecture (AAR4833) gives a general introduction to sustainable buildings, concepts and strategies that can be used to design sustainable buildings and neighbourhoods. The course provides an insight into climate change and as such the backdrop for the need to design sustainable buildings and cities with considerably less greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Climate and Built Form (AAR4832 Theory Course and AAR4532 Design Project). Together, these courses train students to analyse climate and environmental conditions and apply bioclimatic principles, passive design strategies, and digital/analogue environmental modelling tools to develop architectural projects that achieve high environmental performance and climate‑adapted built form.
  • Material Emissions as Design Drivers (AAR4817 Theory Course and AAR4546 Design Project). Together, these courses teach students to apply life‑cycle thinking and LCA methods to analyse and reduce material‑related emissions, and to use this knowledge in an interdisciplinary design studio where they develop low‑carbon, circular architectural solutions for existing buildings
  • The Integrated Energy Design (IED) courses (AAR4926 Theory Course and AAR4616 Design Project) combines a theoretical foundation with hands‑on project work to train students in designing net zero‑emission and energy‑efficient buildings.
  • Energy and Climate Positive Neighbourhoods and Cities (AAR8360 - Individual PhD course). This course offers the possibility for PhD students to follow a customised course on energy and climate positive neighbourhoods and cities
  • M.Sc. Thesis in Sustainable Architecture (AAR4993). A master thesis is an independent, research‑based project where students apply and critically integrate their MSc knowledge using methods ranging from architectural design exploration to scientific investigation.
  • Light and visual perception (AAR4850). A theory course, which is a part of the Circular Studio – Buildings Design Course, emphasizes the importance of human needs and requirements regarding visual perception of build environment.
  • Fundamentals of Building Physics (AAR4335). An introductory course covering heat and moisture transfer, indoor and outdoor climate, acoustics, lighting, and basic energy calculations, giving students the foundational skills needed to evaluate materials, construction solutions, and building performance in line with sustainable design requirements.

MSc in Sustainable Architecture Thesis

The MSc in Sustainable Architecture offers students the opportunity to work on master’s theses closely connected to ongoing research projects, real design processes, and full‑scale developments in Norway and beyond. Thesis work may take the form of a research‑driven investigation, a design project, or a hybrid approach combining analytical and design methods, aligned with the needs of our research group and collaborating partners.

We welcome students to contact us to discuss specific thesis topics, and we also invite industry partners, public organisations, and external collaborators to propose thesis ideas within the core themes of our group, including climate‑positive buildings, neighbourhood energy systems, circular architecture, and digital‑data‑driven design. Together, we aim to create meaningful, practice‑relevant thesis projects that contribute to the transition towards a sustainable built environment.

PhD Opportunities

PhD positions in our research group are normally dependent on external project funding and are announced through the official NTNU vacancies portal.

If you have ideas for new project initiatives that could include a PhD position, or wish to explore potential collaborations, we encourage you to contact us to discuss possibilities.