2nd Progress Meeting and Green Architecture Workshop at NTUA
On 2–3 December 2024, the GreeNest held two key events at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA): the 2nd Progress Meeting of the project consortium and the public workshop titled “Green Architecture: Building with Nature-Based Materials for a Zero-Emission Future.” Both events highlighted GreeNest’s commitment to driving innovation in sustainable construction through research, collaboration, and education.
Day 1: 2nd Progress Meeting & Living Lab Activities
The first day began with the 2nd Progress Meeting, where project partners convened to review developments across the GreeNest project. Prof. Maria Founti (NTUA), project coordinator, opened the session with an overview of progress to date and outlined the roadmap for the next reporting period. Work Package leaders shared updates on their activities, progress, current challenges, and upcoming milestones. These discussions fostered alignment on project goals and set a clear direction for the months ahead.
In the afternoon, Sina Jansen and Julian Mönig (TU Berlin) led a research-focused session presenting their work on circular construction using recycled waste wood and earth materials. Their presentation explored innovative approaches to resource reuse in architecture, combining material science with sustainable design.
Living Lab Hands-On Workshop
The day concluded with the first Living Lab hands-on workshop of the GreeNest project, held at NTUA’s Building Materials Laboratory. Over 30 architecture students participated in a series of practical exercises that introduced them to natural building materials, including earth plasters, rammed earth, and timber slab construction, as well as light straw clay construction.
These methods, rooted in traditional knowledge and adapted for modern application, will be further investigated within the GreeNest project to assess their potential in sustainable and circular building systems. The workshop provided students with a hands-on introduction to ecological construction practices, fostering cross-disciplinary exchange between engineering and architectural education.
Day 2: Green Architecture Workshop
The second day continued with follow-up consortium discussions and updates from additional project partners before opening the doors to the public for the workshop “Green Architecture: Building with Nature-Based Materials for a Zero-Emission Future.”
The event welcomed architects, students, researchers, and practitioners to explore nature-based solutions in contemporary architecture. The programme included:
Prof. Maria Founti (NTUA) introduced the GreeNest mission, presenting the project's vision within the broader EU regulatory framework that supports zero-emission construction.
Prof. Eike Roswag-Klinge (TU Berlin) and Prof. Andrea Klinge (FHNW, ZRS Architects Engineers) shared practical examples of using timber, clay, and earth in low-tech, circular buildings, demonstrating how traditional knowledge supports modern climate goals.
Prof. Eleftheria Tsakanika (NTUA) presented student-led projects and research at NTUA’s Building Materials Lab.
Representatives from PILIKO, Zeta Chrysafaki, Dimitra Kada, and Apostolos Mousourakis, shared the organisation’s work combining traditional knowledge, local materials, and community-based education to support regenerative design practices in Greece.
All workshop sessions are now available on our Training page. Watch the full recordings and explore how GreeNest is driving the future of zero-emission, nature-based construction in Europe.
