Webinar review: Circular construction as a trailblazer for the construction industry of the future

On 22 and 25 October 2024, vocational college teachers from across Switzerland came together virtually to learn about the new ‘Future Perfect’ project and its teaching content on sustainable and circular construction. Schools such as BBZH, GIBB, BBZ Olten, IDM Thun, GB Chur and GBSsG were represented. The webinar focused on an introduction to the course content, the teaching approach and the skills that will be taught to students in future. Another practical highlight was the joint exploration of the Moodle platform, where teachers were able to test the content directly.

Kick-off for the introductory course on ‘Sustainable Construction’

The webinar focused on the presentation of the introductory course ‘Sustainable Construction’, which will be trialled by pilot schools from November onwards. This course teaches the principles of sustainable construction and provides practical content that highlights current challenges facing the construction industry – such as resource management, minimising greenhouse gas emissions and reducing construction waste. The aim is to enable learners to adopt a critical and solution-oriented approach and to show them how sustainable practices can be put into practice. Rather than immediate application in teaching, the aim here is to foster a deeper understanding of the issues and sustainable solutions.

Why circular construction is so important

Circular construction, a central component of the course, promotes a fundamental paradigm shift in the construction industry – away from a linear approach and towards a resource-efficient one, in which materials and products are kept in circulation over the long term. The course not only provides a theoretical foundation, but also instils the motivation to see oneself as a future shaper of the built environment, who can highlight new paths to sustainability and emphasise the importance of innovative thinking.

Future Perfect – An overview of the six courses

The Future Perfect project comprises six courses which progressively address the various aspects of the circular economy in the construction sector, drawing on real-world requirements from vocational training.

Course overview:

1. Sustainable Construction: An Introduction to the Circular Economy

2. Circular construction strategies: Linear versus circular construction methods

3. 3D calculation tool: Environmental calculations in the construction industry

4. Reuse of components: keeping materials in the cycle

5. Circular designs: planning for the future

6. Project support: A circular timber construction project in practice

All courses include interactive elements and a learning resource that participants work on and reflect upon throughout the courses. The courses will be available on the Moodle platform for vocational colleges in Switzerland from summer 2025 and offer practical tasks designed to enable participants to apply what they have learnt in real-world construction industry contexts.

Educational approach: Interconnected, practical and forward-looking

The teaching approach of the Future Perfect courses builds on the skills set out in the curriculum and takes a practical approach to current and future challenges facing the construction industry. With the help of digital tools such as the 3D calculation tool, learners are given a new perspective on the construction industry and the opportunity to explore innovative solutions and critically reflect on current trends.

Further information and access to the courses can be found on the official Future Perfect website: Future Perfect – Circular Construction