The course introduces the principles of low energy design and the integration of renewable energies in buildings; it is tailored for professionals working in the built environment who wish to acquire specialist skills and knowledge; students are taught in some of the major European institutions undertaking work in this field; it is run simultaneously in 5 other institutions; these are the architectural schools in Barcelona and a consortium in Italy (Florence, Milan, Rome and Naples); engineering schools in Porto and La Rochelle and the applied physics school at the University of Athens.