The first components of a new technical hight school for the health professions were laid in Ettelbruck on Friday last, during a ceremony attended by Minister for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure François Bausch and Education Minister Claudia Meisch. 

Composed mainly of wood, the building has been designed to minimise energy consumption, with special attention paid to thermal insulation and the passive use of solar energy. The ventilation of the premises is ensured by a hybrid system of natural and mechanical ventilation.

Numerous other measures complement the "energy efficiency" component: thermal collectors on the façade with a seasonal tank, complete coverage of the roof by photovoltaic panels, and optimisation of solar gains in winter, while avoiding problems of Overheating in summer.

"The state has to create buildings that integrate various processes and materials and pioneer technological innovation in sustainable construction, especially zero energy buildings," said Minister Bausch. 

"After the first building of the kind built by the state, namely the Administration of Nature and Forests, this is the first school with "positive energy,” he said, adding ”Our role is to guide the private sector towards sustainability and the environmental and energy performance of buildings."

The school will bring together training that is currently carried out across three locations in Luxembourg, Bascharage and Warken. With a gross area of ​​approximately 8,400 m², the new school will accommodate some 430 students in 16 classrooms and six clinical teaching rooms.

The school’s design also integrates elements such as optimised natural lighting, acoustics, indoor climate and ecological materials.

All of these factors have had an impact on the volume and layout of the project and are reflected in architectural expression. The estimated total cost of the project is €32,900,000.