Sustainable campus Activities and initiatives on the Horw campus

Sustainability in practice begins in everyday life. At the Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, this is evident in various areas: our cafeteria's daily menu, the planned design of our new campus building currently in development, and in public events and activities initiated by students and staff.

Sustainability on the plate

Together with our cafeteria partner ZFV, we have developed measures for sustainable nutrition. We offer healthy and regional products every day, reduce our meat consumption, and implement measures to reduce food waste. We measure the carbon footprint of our menus and want to reduce it even further over the next few years. Fair trade products in our range and the avoidance of disposable packaging are equally important.

New Horw Campus

The Canton of Lucerne is building a new campus in Horw. Sustainability played a key role in the selection of the winning project: the jury chose a design that required the least amount of land for the buildings and aimed for the highest standard of sustainable construction (SNBS Platinum). This leaves room for a spacious park landscape and the resource- and energy-efficient use of the buildings. In an interview, jury president Christian Hönger sums it up as follows: “Sustainability is often demanded as a kind of fig leaf. In this case, [...] I was impressed [...]. The School of Technology and Architecture can incorporate this building into its curriculum!”

To the interview with jury president Christian Hönger

Our events: Participating in sustainability

The Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture hosts several regular events focused on sustainability. The events are open to the public and free of charge. Registration is required.

Eine Blumenwiese mit Windrädern im Hintergrund

"Abend der Wirtschaft"

Once a year, representatives from research, industry, politics, and education meet at the Evening of Economics to discuss sustainable solutions for the future and facilitate practical exchange between technology and business. More information about the current program and previous contributions can be found here.

Research Conference

The research conference of Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture highlights current development topics and is committed to knowledge transfer and ongoing dialogue between experts and decision-makers from business, industry, research, and development.

Digitalization in construction

IGE seminar

The IGE seminar takes place annually. Experts in energy and building technology, architecture, and construction engineering give presentations on research, planning, implementation, and operation of energy-efficient buildings and systems. The event is organized in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Office of Energy and the Canton of Lucerne.

ThinkTank Architecture & Urban Development

The ThinkTank regularly holds a series of events on specific topics. The focus is on the resilient development of the built environment. Through public events and studies with experts, the Think Tank develops scenarios for the sustainable development of future cities.

Knowledge transfer at the Swiss Museum of Transport

The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts contributes to knowledge transfer at the Swiss Museum of Transport through various activities and events. One example is the modular “House of Energy” kit, which contributes to the energy transition. Children experience the interrelationships of decentralized energy production firsthand. They learn how self-consumption and e-mobility interact, and how solar energy generated by solar cells can cover electricity needs.

Offers for students and employees

The Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture supports employees and students wihsing to make a contribution to greater sustainability on campus. The School management decides on specific initiatives and projects.

ENNA

To increase biodiversity on the Horw campus, students and staff planted more than 50 native trees and shrubs. The planting campaign was an initiative of ENNA – Engagierte für eine nachhaltige Hochschule Luzern (Committed to a Sustainable Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts). ENNA is an independent group of students, lecturers, and staff at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts who are committed to sustainable solutions at the HSLU.

STA - student committee

Sustainability is just one of the issues where the Student Committee of the Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture acts as a point of contact for students who want to get involved on the Horw campus. For example, the STA represents all students on the cafeteria committee, which decides on a sustainable menu.