Doris Ehrbar

Doris Ehrbar serves as a Lecturer at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts within the School of Engineering & Architecture, specifically affiliated with the Institute of Interior Design (IIA). She has maintained dual professional roles since 2011 as Co-Lecturer for the core module "Building Renovation and Conversion" and since 2019 as Co-teacher for "Renewal of existing buildings," while simultaneously working as Client Representative for Regimo Basel AG and Architect at Burckhardt Immobilien AG.

Her academic credentials include:

• Dipl. Arch. ETH from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich (1985-1992)
• Higher Education Teacher Training at ETH Zurich (1996-1999)
• Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture (MASA) from University of British Columbia (2000-2005)
• CAS in Building Physics from University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (2015-2016)

Ehrbar's research focuses on sustainable building transformation, with particular expertise in holistic renovation strategies for post-war residential structures. Her work bridges energy efficiency requirements with monument preservation constraints, emphasizing practical implementation through prefabricated timber systems and solar integration. Current investigations explore climate-responsive densification methods and cooperative governance models for condominium retrofits, addressing Switzerland's urgent building stock renewal challenges.

Her publication trajectory reveals evolving specialization from foundational solar architecture studies toward industrialized renovation systems, with recent work emphasizing cost optimization in prefabricated timber retrofits and climate adaptation for historic districts. Key thematic clusters include energy-monument preservation balance, strata property renewal frameworks, and collaborative delivery models for large-scale retrofits.

Award recognition includes:

• Wolfgang Gerson Prize in Architecture (2001)

Research leadership spans multiple national and international projects including SanStrat, E2Rebuild, CABEE, and IEA SHC Task 41, with funding from Swiss energy research programs and EU frameworks. Current initiatives focus on developing decision tools for condominium owners and optimizing prefabricated retrofit systems for cold climates. She maintains strong industry integration through her dual professional practice, ensuring research remains grounded in real-world construction challenges.

As former Head of the "Advanced Retrofit" Focus Area (2010-2015) and long-term Scientific Assistant at the Competence Center Typology & Planning in Architecture (CCTP), she continues to shape HSLU's research direction through the Institute of Interior Design's renovation research group.