Call for Trainees: Training School 2024 – Sustainability of Taller Timber Buildings

COST Action CA20139 – Holistic Design of Taller Timber buildings (HELEN) – is pleased to announce its 2^nd Training School scheduled to take place in Zagreb, Croatia from the 19th to the 21st of June 2024.

The HELEN Action Training School represents an important endeavor that promises to reshape how insights are shared and collaborative networks are cultivated within the HELEN Action community. Designed primarily for early career investigators, Ph.D. students, and post-doc researchers, the Training School focuses on providing practical insights from WG4 Sustainability topics to foster their scientific and professional growth. At the heart of the Training School is an engaging learning environment that encourages active participation. Through a balanced mixture of discussions, presentations, exercises, and lectures, participants will be introduced to new ideas and practical techniques. This approach not only introduces novel concepts but also offers a platform to apply these insights through real-world case studies, promoting a hands-on understanding.

THEME

Timber constructions are a sustainable building option towards a climate-neutral built environment. However, they also raise questions regarding their embodied GHG emissions calculations, life expectancy, and forestry management. They are more susceptible to design mistakes due to their complexity. They are also less durable when untreated or glued and not properly maintained, possibly leading to negative environmental impacts associated with landfilling or incineration. This Training School will investigate the issues dealing with taller timber buildings’ environmental footprint and their longevity based on the design details and life cycle assessment perspective.  

The Training School aims to educate students on the Sustainability of Taller Timber Buildings through the leading international experts in the field. In addition, students will get the opportunity to learn more about timber building durability, environmental key performance indicators, and the evaluation and validation of timber data and they will meet fellow researchers from other European universities for networking.

PROGRAM

Nine trainers will be invited to teach and interact with the 25-30 students.

The following topics will be addressed:

1. Towards Zero Emissions Buildings (Decarbonisation paths, Scenarios (Steel, Concrete and Timber)
2. Sustainability and Timber Buildings (Sustainable Forest Management)
3. Whole Life Carbon Calculation (Types of Carbon: embodied and operational, CEN 15804 and Sections A-D)
4. Whole Life Carbon Calculation (Timber Materials LCA: Tools and Databases)
5. Whole Life Carbon Calculation (Timber Building Life Expectancy)
6. Timber and Circularity (Biogenic Carbon, Cascading of timber and its end of life)
7. Whole Life Carbon Calculation (Modelling Validation: Sensitivity analysis and uncertainty analysis)
8. Case Study 1 (InnoRenew CoE building, Izola)
9. Case Study 2 (Mjøstårnet in Norway or HAUT in the Netherlands)
10. Tall Timber Design Guidelines

ORGANIZER/VENUE

The workshop will last for three days starting 19.06.2024 in a face-to-face format in Zagreb Croatia. Participants are expected to bring their laptops.

**UPDATED LOCATION ** The location is Kranjčevićeva ul. 2, 10110 Zagreb, Croatia. Students will receive recommendations for travel and accommodation after the selection process is completed.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Beginning Ph.D. students with a background in Timber Engineering, Architecture, or Civil Engineering. Post-doctoral researchers are also welcome, but they will considered as a second priority. The workshop should be able to host approximately 25-30 students.

An official invitation will be sent to a restricted number of members of Cost Action HELEN, giving priority to Early Career Investigators (ECIs) who have manifested their interest in the pre-registration form. Gender and country balance, with priority to Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs), will be carefully considered in the selection process.

PARTICIPATION COST

COST Action HELEN will partially fund the travel and accommodation costs for eligible participants attending the Training School based on a cap upon budget availability. The number of participants eligible for reimbursement is limited to a maximum of 25-30 individuals. COST financial assistance will encompass long-distance travel expenditures (up to 350 EUR) and a daily allowance (80 EUR) to offset additional costs (meals, accommodation, local transportation). It should be noted that if participants can, within a reasonable time before travel date, show that there is no reasonable transport below the cap, this cap may be waved for the individual participant. The limit of 1500 EUR nevertheless still applies.

Participants of the Training School are entitled to the following privileges:

• Training school materials;
• Participation in Training School activities and sessions;
• Free easy lunches and coffee breaks.

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION

Recommendations from Zagreb airport to the city of Zagreb

1. The cheapest way is to take Zagreb Airport bus (ZET 290) that runs from the airport to Kvaternik Square. It departs every 35-40 minutes from the airport and the journey is about 1 hour and 15 mins. A one-way ticket is 2 Euro. Although this is a cost-effective option, the ride is long, and the final stop is not directly in the city center.
2. The shuttle bus runs from the airport to the Zagreb main bus station every 30 minutes and costs around 5 Euro. It is a faster option because the shuttle bus makes no stops.
3. There are taxis available at Zagreb Airport for those who prefer taxi services. Fares should range from 30 to 40 Euros. It’s advisable to ask for the price beforehand, as some taxi companies may charge higher rates.
4. The most convenient way to travel is by Uber or Bolt services. The price should be around 20 Euros, and it takes you directly to your destination, whether a hotel or university.

Recommendations from Zagreb to the training school venue

Google Maps also offers other options and recommends them quite well.

List of hotels

Zagreb offers a wide variety of accommodation options ensuring visitors have plenty of choices to find their ideal stay. Many of these accommodations can be easily found and booked through popular online platforms such as Booking.com and other similar services. Just a few recommendations are provided here, but there are many more options available.

More expensive options:

• Hotel Dubrovnik
• The Westin Zagreb
• Sheraton Zagreb Hotel

Budget-friendly options:

• Hotel Ilica
• Swanky Mint Hostel
• Time Out Heritage Hotel Zagreb

It’s advisable to choose accommodations in the city center, particularly in the Lower Town and towards the western side of the center, as this area is closer to the training venue.

In Croatia, the Euro serves as the local currency. While card payments are widely accepted across most establishments, some local cafés and bars still show a preference for cash transactions.

APPLICATION

The registration application can be accessed from: https://shorturl.at/kIJTU
Registration Deadline: 07 April 2024

Email: [email protected]
Webpage: https://cahelen.eu/

Looking forward to hearing from you soon and with our best regards,
CA CA20139  HELEN Training School Organising Committee