Sustainability
The e-Sling electric aircraft takes off
Teaching
ETH Zurich
The four-seater electric aircraft “e-Sling”, which was developed by ETH students, has taken flight for the first time. The student project has taken two years and a lot of dedication.
More soil, less concrete: changing mindsets in construction
Research
EPFL
For his Master’s project, architecture student Jeremy Morris assessed the life cycle of building materials in Vaud Canton. His research shows that the construction industry could shrink its carbon footprint by making more regular use of soil. Morris proposes three courses of action, which he will present at the Quinzaine de l’Urbanisme.
“We need an energy shock”
Politics
ETH Zurich
We all understand the importance of energy security. To maintain it, we need to chart the right course. But how can we know what that is?
“Yes, but not like this!” – Why densification often lacks public acceptance
Research
ETH Zurich
Densification is a fundamental principle of urban planning and development today. Nevertheless, it often encounters local resistance. A group of ETH researchers has now systematically investigated factors influencing public acceptance of densification, focusing on the canton of Zurich and six cities of global importance. One key factor: affordable housing.
A self-learning algorithm that helps save heating energy
TechTransfer
Empa
With energy prices soaring, heating costs will also inevitably rise in the coming winter. In order to mitigate this, solutions for operating buildings more efficiently are needed. The Empa spin-off viboo has developed an algorithm that makes it possible to operate even older buildings with around 25 percent less energy – while user comfort remains the same or even improves.
rebuiLT, or how to rebuild a house sustainably
Teaching
EPFL
The Low-Tech Lab in Lausanne has been part of the Unipoly association of EPFL since 2021 and aims to popularize the low-tech approach already found in several other European universities. Its showcase project rebuiLT is one of EFPL’s interdisciplinary MAKE projects and seeks to reuse parts of a building being demolished to create a community pavilion in Ecublens.
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