Course content

The transformation and reuse of existing building stock is widely regarded as one of the most important climate actions the construction and real estate sector can undertake. Both within the field of architectural conservation and in environmental assessment frameworks, there is a strong emphasis on preserving, repairing, reusing, and transforming buildings rather than demolishing them. The goal is to make the best possible use of the resources already embodied in existing buildings, as well as through the reuse of building components and materials. Climate action, cultural heritage conservation, and property management are becoming increasingly interconnected, creating a need for coordinated methodologies as a foundation for resource-efficient transformation.

This course brings together methodologies from several disciplines and provides a comprehensive understanding of the resource-conscious conservation, rehabilitation, and further development of existing buildings. Participants will apply this knowledge directly to their own projects, with course topics linked to the different phases of investigation, planning, and design. These include documentation and analysis of an existing building, development strategies, architectural concepts, and detailed design. All building types may serve as case studies, including older timber, brick, and natural stone buildings, as well as post-war architecture constructed in concrete, steel, and glass.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate has:

• broad knowledge of theories, methods, and techniques for surveying, documenting, and assessing existing buildings as a basis for design and planning.
• knowledge of the physical and material characteristics of existing buildings, their technical condition, historical and environmental context, as well as their architectural and cultural heritage values.
• knowledge of methods for assessing the potential for change of use and transformation of existing buildings.
• knowledge of principles of circularity in the construction industry, including the practical reuse of building components and materials.
• knowledge of strategies for energy upgrading, environmental assessment, and resource-efficient material selection in building transformation projects.

Skills

The candidate is able to:

• survey, document, and analyze existing buildings using relevant methods and tools.
• assess technical, environmental, historical, and cultural heritage considerations as a basis for decision-making in transformation projects.
• prepare a professionally grounded basis for decision-making regarding the planning of measures and interventions in existing buildings.
• apply knowledge of circularity and reuse in the development and design of transformation projects.
• design transformation measures with an emphasis on energy upgrading, material selection, detailing, and environmental impacts.
• apply relevant methods for environmental assessment in the design and planning of existing buildings.

General Competence

The candidate is able to:

• analyze and evaluate opportunities and challenges related to the resource-efficient transformation of existing building stock.
• integrate considerations of environmental sustainability, resource use, cultural heritage, and technical quality in the development of transformation projects.
• contribute to sustainable development through critical and holistic assessment of the potential and future use of existing buildings.
• communicate professional assessments and solutions related to transformation and reuse to various stakeholders involved in planning and construction processes.
• reflect on their own role and professional practice in advancing a more circular and resource-efficient construction industry.

Learning methods and activities

The course is offered part-time over two semesters and carries a total of 15 credits.

The course combines online teaching with on-campus sessions. Four academic modules run throughout the course from start to finish. Each module includes an individual assignment.

The on-campus sessions combine lectures with discussions and supervision of participants' own projects. The topics covered are linked to different stages of the project process and draw on content from several of the academic modules in each session.

Recommended previous knowledge

The course is intended for architects and other design professionals and consultants engaged in building transformation projects. The course is taught at the master's level.

Required previous knowledge

• A Master's degree in Architecture
• A Master's degree in Building Engineering, Construction Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field in the built environment sector.

Course materials

Lecture presentations and a course compendium containing texts, case studies, and descriptions of methodologies for environmentally sustainable transformation. Additional references to relevant articles, reports, and websites are provided.

Credit reductions