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Challenge

Frugal Building: From Design to Construction

Frugal Building: From Design to Construction

Take part in an eco-construction project in Brittany, France
Open for application
Our challengeOutcomesPotential progressInformationProviders

Our challenge

The construction sector is responsible for over a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, accounts for half of the world's resource extraction, and demolition routinely creates significant amounts of waste. Reducing the construction sector's environmental impact through decarbonisation and reinvention is essential for meeting climate goals. This challenge invites you to engage with the future of sustainable building. You’ll begin with online sessions covering the fundamentals of bioclimatic design, eco-materials, and energy efficiency. Drawing on these concepts, you’ll then apply your knowledge to a real eco-construction project in the Rennes area, working on-site at the end of August. Throughout the challenge, you’ll explore examples of innovative projects from around Brittany, where local authorities are supporting sustainable building as part of the region’s ecological transition. This is an opportunity to develop practical and interdisciplinary skills, while contributing to real solutions in sustainable construction. You’ll gain experience in both design and implementation—key steps in turning theory into meaningful environmental action.

The Team

PR
Pascal DUPONT (INSA Rennes)
Teamcher
0 learners
Study format
Blended
Application period
14 March – 6 May 2025
Study period
29 April – 29 August 2025
Credits
3 ECTS
Hosting university
INSA Group
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Learning outcomes

Describe the link between design choices and on-site actions.

By the end of this challenge, you will be able to describe how design decisions are implemented in practice, based on your experience on the construction site.

ESCO SKILLS

Review construction projectsAdopt ways to reduce negative impact of consumptionPromote innovative infrastructure design

Identify key steps in organising a frugal building project.

By the end of this challenge, you will be able to identify and outline the main phases and requirements involved in planning and coordinating a resource-efficient construction project.

ESCO SKILLS

Select sustainable technologies in designConstruction methodsMinimise environmental impact on the surrounding area

Describe how to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

By the end of this challenge, thanks to your practical experience, you will be able to describe the roles, communication practices, and collaboration strategies used when working with people from different professional backgrounds.

ESCO SKILLS

Work in teams

Potential progress

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Energy and sustainability

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Information

This challenge introduces you to the essential steps of a frugal construction project, from initial design to hands-on implementation. It's structured in three parts:

  • You'll begin with online lectures and readings covering key concepts such as bioclimatic design, eco-materials, and energy efficiency.
  • Next, you’ll work in small groups to explore a specific topic in more depth, carrying out independent research and preparing to apply your findings.
  • Finally, you’ll take part in a real-world building project on a public construction site near Rennes, where you’ll draft your own construction proposal and gain direct experience with materials and techniques.

Participation in all three phases is required. You’ll collaborate with students from INSA Rennes and the National School of Architecture in Brittany (ENSAB), working in multidisciplinary teams.

Throughout the module, you’ll be supported by faculty members with expertise in eco-design, bioclimatic architecture, sustainable urban planning, eco-materials, and home automation. During the on-site phase, you’ll also work alongside professionals from the construction industry, gaining valuable insights into how theory translates into practice.

Check out the following short video offering a recap on last year's iteration to find out more! http://videos.insa-rennes.fr/video/0653-athabl-presentation-v2mp4/

Hosting university

INSA Group

INSA Group

Challenge provider

Fougères Agglomération