Lund University

MSc in Energy-Efficient and Environmental Building Design

Programme overview

Buildings are responsible for a large share of our global energy use. Energy use is in fact the main determinant of a building’s global environmental footprint, considering its total life span.

Lund University is internationally renowned for high-quality research related to energy-efficient buildings. Our expertise is centred on a whole-building perspective, which accounts for inhabitant needs as well as their comfort and health. The University’s advanced research, and its close ties to the building industry, create an excellent foundation for a strong Master’s programme with a largely unique focus on buildings.

Our students will graduate with advanced knowledge, skills and competencies within the area of energy-efficient and environmental building design in heating-dominated climates. Our goal is to create highly skilled professionals, who will significantly contribute to and influence the design, building or renovation of energy-efficient buildings and relating to renewable energy supply, taking into consideration the architecture and environment, the inhabitants’ behaviour, needs, health and comfort, as well as the overall economy.

The carefully tailored theoretical courses are complemented with practical modules, in which students apply their new knowledge. This pedagogical approach enables a strong learning progression and is the reason why the programme is shaped by tailor-made mandatory courses. Our students work together in small teams to design energy-efficient concepts and buildings and to analyse the consequences of various design alternatives using supportive computer tools and methods in an integrated design process. The student teams are intentionally mixed both in terms of cultural background and academic backgrounds, such as in architecture and engineering. Thus, the students are trained in the interdisciplinary design process and in teamwork, which is very important for their future careers. Courses also include site visits, guest lecturers from the industry and tours of existing good examples of energy-efficient building design.

The programme involves teachers from different departments at Lund University, mainly: Department of Architecture and Built Environment (Divisions of Energy and Building Design and Environmental Psychology) and Department of Building and Environmental Technology (Divisions of Building Physics and Building Services).