Trifels Autumn School 2026: "Sustainable and Responsible Materials: From Natural Resources to Urban Climate"
Overview
How can materials for the built environment be sourced and used responsibly? How can they be reused and recycled to balance resource constraints and environmental impacts? And how do these materials shape buildings, urban environments, and climate?
This interdisciplinary Autumn School follows materials along the pathway from natural resources to the built environment. It explores the extraction and use of raw materials, circular approaches to material use, innovative building systems and the influence of materials on buildings and urban climate.
A poster session will give participants the opportunity to present their current research, receive feedback and exchange ideas with researchers from other disciplines and universities.
No prior expertise in sustainable materials or construction is required. The program is designed to foster interdisciplinary exchange and to encourage participants to look beyond the boundaries of their own research field while developing a broader understanding of how material choices influence our environment, climate, and society.
Confirmed Speakers
| Speaker | Institution |
| Elena Boerman | Sustainable Construction, Department of Architecture, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) |
| Dr. Ferdinand Briegel | Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research – Troposphere Research (IMKTRO), KIT |
| Prof. Dr. Jan Cermak | Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research – Atmospheric Trace Gases and Remote Sensing (IMKASF) and Institute of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (IPF), KIT |
| TT-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christina Eisenbarth | Technology and Resilience in Architecture, TU Darmstadt |
| Dr. Stefan Götze | Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS), KIT |
| Prof. Dr. Christoph Hilgers | Institute of Applied Geosciences (AGW), KIT |
| Carla Jung-König | Institute of Geography, Heidelberg University |
| Prof. Dr. Jochen Kolb | Institute of Applied Geosciences (AGW), KIT |
| Dr. Peter Stemmermann | Institute for Technical Chemistry (ITC), KIT |
| Prof. Dr. Tobias Viere | Institute for Industrial Ecology (INEC), Pforzheim University |
Public Panel Discussion "Trifelser Gespräch"
As part of the Trifels Autumn School, a public panel discussion entitled "Demolition or Renovation? Why New Construction Often Wins Despite Circularity Promises" will bring together experts from a range of professional backgrounds to discuss current challenges and opportunities in circular construction. The discussion will be held in German and simultaneously translated into English using the KIT Lecture Translator.
Target Group
The Autumn School is primarily aimed at doctoral researchers at the member universities of the association 'Begegnungszentrum Kurhaus Trifels e.V.', but advanced Master’s students are also welcome.
Organizers
The Autumn School is organized by the Graduate School of Climate and Environment (GRACE) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in cooperation with the KIT Center Climate, Environment and Resources (CLEAR).
Practical Information
Date: October 19-23, 2026
Location: Jugendstilhotel Trifels, Kurhausstraße 25, Annweiler-Bindersbach
Costs: Participation in the Autumn School is free of charge and includes accommodation and full board. Participants are responsible for covering their own travel expenses to and from the venue.
Program: The final program can be downloaded here >> Program.
ECTS: 3 credit points
Application: Please apply through the application form. The application deadline is September 14, 2026.
If you have any questions, feel free to send us a message at info∂grace kit edu.
