12th Conference on Advanced Building Skins
2-3 October 2017, Bern, Switzerland
Welcoming message by Barbara Egger-Jenzer,
Executive Councillor of the Department of Construction and Energy, Cantonal Government, Bern
As Executive Councillor of the Department of Construction and Energy of Bern, I am happy to invite you to the internationally renowned Conference on Advanced Building Skins. It is no coincidence that the Conference has chosen Bern as its location, as the Canton is a leading force in Swiss energy politics. Since 2006, we boast a new energy strategy and are resolute in our investment in renewable energies.
A crucial feature of our strategy is energy efficiency, for without a drastic improvement in efficiency, we will not achieve energy reform. A definite deciding factor is the area of buildings. The Conference underscores the imperative of building skins for total energy consumption in buildings, with the aim of putting scientific know-how into practice. The dialogue between science and practice should also promote the technology transfer and an inter-disciplinary procedure for building construction, which is vital for the realization of our energy strategy.
A large part of our buildings are old constructions. Thus, a lack of insulation, out-moded heating systems, as well as non-airproof walls and windows are responsible for a high consumption of energy. Energy-based renovations reduce the energy consumption of buildings. This is not only economically significant for home-owners, but also for the economy as a whole, since renovations generate employment.
Innovative insulation products represent a key contribution to an energy-efficient building skin. I am gratified that the congress is dedicating particular attention to this area and will be presenting state-of-the-art developments of insulation products.
The Canton of Bern is supporting this congress, as it brings different scientific disciplines and practice to an international platform. In this way, we would like to contribute to making the transfer of knowledge even more dynamic and encourage inter-disciplinary co-operation, while expanding international co-operation.
I kindly invite you to take part in this inter-disciplinary dialogue. Please use the Conference as a platform for interacting with international participants. I wish the Conference much success and all visitors a pleasant stay in Bern.
Barbara Egger-Jenzer
Registration
The registration fee is €680 and includes lunches and the conference documentation including full manuscripts of the presentations.
“Early Birds” who register by 31 July, will receive a 15% discount (€580). The registration fee for full-time students is €380.
The Scientific Conference Committee
Cinzia Abbate, AeV Architetti, Rome, Italy
Rachel Becker, Director, National Building Research Institute, Haifa, Israel
Ben Bridgens, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, UK
Steve Burroughs, University of Canberra, Australia
Michael Garrison, School of Architecture, University of Texas at Austin, USA
Amirhosein Ghaffarianhoseini, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
Andreas Hempel, International Academy of Architects; former President Association of German Architects BDA
Hans-Martin Henning, Head of Thermal Systems and Buildings, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Germany
Eckhart Hertzsch, President, Joanes Foundation, Germany
Andreas Karweger, General Manager, Economic Forum, Munich, Germany
Leo Lau, Director, Green Energy and Green Manufacturing Technology R&D Center, Chengdu, China
Zhenjun Ma, Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, University of Wollongong, Australia
Carl Maywald, Head of Research & Development, Vector Foiltec, Bremen, Germany
Dieter Moor, Ertex-Solar, Austria
Fabian Ochs, Unit for Energy Efficient Buildings, University of Innsbruck, Austria
Valentina Puglisi, Architecture Building and Construction Department, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Christian Renken, BIPV Competence Center, University of Applied Sciences, Bern, Switzerland
Michiel Ritzen, Faculty of Science & Technology, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands
Ramkishore Singh, Durban University of Technology, South Africa
Wolfram Sparber, Director, Department of Renewable Energies, European Academy, Bolzano, Italy
Mitsuhiro Udagawa, Prof. Emeritus, Department of Architecture, Kogakuin University, Japan
Stephen Wittkopf, Technology & Architecture, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Switzerland
Organizer
Advanced Building Skins GmbH
Hostettstrasse 30
CH-6062 Wilen
Switzerland
info [ at ] abs.green