Dirk E. Hebel

Prof. Dirk E. Hebel is Professor for Sustainable Construction at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology's Faculty of Architecture, leading the Sustainable Construction department. His research drives the construction industry's shift from consumer economy to circular economy through resource cycle innovation and alternative material development.

His work emphasizes sustainable construction methodologies, circular economy integration in building processes, and bio-based materials like bamboo composites and fungal mycelium. He champions urban mining as a raw material source and residue-free material cycles for 100% recyclability, with significant focus on developing country applications.

Landmark projects include the RoofKIT building (Solar Decathlon 2022 winner) demonstrating renewable energy and urban-mined materials, and co-designing NEST's Urban Mining & Recycling unit in Zurich—a fully recyclable residential module.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Sustainability Award of the German Sustainable Building Council
• Green Solution Award
• German Steel Construction Award
• Red Dot Design Award

He actively mentors students, leading over 100 participants in the RoofKIT project. His international expertise spans previous roles as Scientific Director of Ethiopia's Institute of Architecture and Head of Research at Singapore's Future City Laboratory.

A key advocate for sustainable construction, he co-organized the 2023 symposium "Does Concrete – in a Sustainable World – Have a Future?" at Munich's BAU trade fair, addressing concrete's emissions crisis and circular economy pathways.