1st CIRKLA SUMMER SCHOOL – LUXEMBURG 2025
“Sustainable Construction:
Materials, Circularity, and Innovation”
The event is part of the Interreg-UniGR-CIRKLA project, funded by the Interreg Grande Région 2021-2027 program.
Why is it important?
The transition toward a sustainable and more circular building sector is essential for reducing environmental impact and improving resource efficiency. This summer school offers a comprehensive exploration of key concepts, challenges, and strategies related to circularity in construction, focusing on material reuse, life cycle assessment, sustainable design principles, and policy frameworks.
Participants will engage in a well-structured program that includes lectures from experts, interactive workshops, and case studies illustrating practical applications of circular construction methods. Site visits will provide insights into real-world projects implementing sustainable and circular building approaches. Additionally, group discussions and collaborative exercises will foster critical thinking and problem-solving in addressing the complexities of sustainability in the built environment.
Learn from leading researchers, industry professionals, and sustainability pioneers as they share real-world applications and challenges in transitioning towards a more circular and resilient building sector.
Who can apply?
This program is designed for advanced master’s students, doctoral students, post-doctoral researchers, and early-career professionals working in any field of civil engineering, architecture, construction, materials engineering, materials science, etc., and looking to expand their understanding of sustainable construction practices and their role in the transition to a circular economy.
The Summer School will take place:
📅 From Monday, September 1st to Friday, September 5th, 2025
📍 University of Luxembourg – Kirchberg Campus (Luxembourg City)
Application
Applications are now open for those interested in gaining both theoretical insights and practical experience in circularity and sustainability within the building sector.
The participation in the event is free of charge.
Free accommodation may be available if needed and upon request (limited places). The costs for this accommodation support are covered by the Interreg-UniGR-CIRKLA project.
Application deadline: 31 May 2025
Please keep in mind that the number of participants is limited.
Presentations on:
- Sustainability and Circular Economy – Agustina Guitar
- Timber/wood construction – Ralph Köhler
- Dismantling of the Ensdorf Power Plant – Klaus Blug
- Green Steel – Daniel Rupp
- Use and practice for recycling aggregate concrete – Luc Courard
- Circular business models across industries: challenges and success factors – Joern Block
- Valorisation of waste and by-product in cement and concrete – Cecile Deliberto, Romain Trauchessec
- Hands-on workshop with Case Study
Visits to:
- ArcelorMittal – production in Belval and presentation about the circularity of steel structures
- Cimalux – cement production
Monday, September 1st
09:30 – 10:00 – Registration – Coffee
10:00 – 11:00 – Welcome – Markus Schäfer
11:00 – 12:00 – Minister of Economy – Paul Baustert, PhD
12:00 – 13:00 – Lunch
13:00 – 14:00 – Sustainability and Circular Economy – Agustina Guitar
14:00 – 15:00 – Circular business models – Joern Block
15:00 – 16:30 – Break
16:30 – 17:30 – City tour
18:00 – … – Dinner
Tuesday, September 2nd
09:00 – 10:00 – Introduction to Case Study
10:00 – 10:45 – Case Study
10:45 – 11:00 – Coffee break
11:00 – 12:00 – Sustainable timber construction – Sandra Matecki, Caroline Holz (tbd.)
12:00 – 13:00 – Lunch
13:30 – 17:30 – Visit to Cimalux (bus transfer)
Wednesday, September 3rd
09:00 – 10:15 – Case Study
10:15 – 10:30 – Coffee break
10:30 – 11:30 – Dismanteling power plant – Klaus Blug
11:30 – 12:30 – Lunch
12:30 – Bus transfer to Campus Belval
13:30 – 14:00 – Introduction to Arcelormittal (Campus Belval)
14:00 – 17:00 – Visit to Arcelormittal
Thursday, September 4th
09:00 – 10:15 – Case Study
10:15 – 10:30 – Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:30 – Use and practice for recycling aggregate concrete – Luc Courard
11:30 – 12:30 – Green Steel – Daniel Rupp
12:30 – 13:30 – Lunch
13:30 – 15:45 – Case Study
15:45 – 16:00 – Coffee break
16:00 – 17:00 – Valorisation of waste and by-product in cement and concrete – Cecile Deliberto, Romain Trauchessec
18:00 – 19:00 – Get together
Friday, September 5th
09:00 – 10:30 – Participants’ presenations
10:30 – 11:00 – Coffee break
11:00 – 13:00 – Participants’ presenations
13:00 – 14:00 – Lunch
14:00 – 14:30 – End of Summer School
- Dr.-Ing. Agustina Guitar – Universität des Saarlandes
- Sandra Matecki – Wood Cluster of Luxinnovation (tbd)
- Caroline Holz – Wood Cluster of Luxinnovation (tbd)
- Dr. Klaus Blug – VSE AG Saarbrücken
- Prof. Dr. Joern Block – Universität Trier
- Dr. Daniel Rupp – Aktien-Gesellschaft der Dillinger Hüttenwerke
- Prof. Dr. Luc Courard – University of Liege
- Prof. Dr. Cecile Deliberto – University of Lorraine
- Prof. Dr. Romain Trauchessec – University of Lorraine
University of Luxembourg
Campus Kirchberg
6, rue Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi
Luxemburg City
L-1359 Luxemburg
Accommodation can be included in the registration, if needed. Please select in the online registration if you will need accommodation during the event.
Accommodation will be in shared rooms (4 people each). Accommodation includes breakfast.
Youth Hostel Luxembourg-city
2, rue du Fort Olisy
L-2261 Luxembourg
Application deadline: 31 May 2025
Organisation:
Markus Schäfer – University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Monica Louie – University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Agustina Guitar – Universität des Saarlandes, Germany
Flavio Soldera – Universität des Saarlandes, Germany
Paulina Urueta – Universität des Saarlandes, Germany
IMPORTANT!
The participation is free of charge.
The event will take place in English.
In case of further inquiries please contact: office@eusmat.net
