Students give ABC Pavilloner new perspectives on sustainable construction
Collaboration with VIA University College Aarhus strengthens innovation and circularity
“How can used building materials be given new life in modern modular construction?“. That was the question 108 construction engineering students set out to answer when ABC Pavilloner took part in the Hackathon at VIA University College in Aarhus for the first time.
The event brought together both students and companies for an intensive programme where theory was put into practice, and where the construction engineers of the future had the opportunity to work with real challenges from the industry.
We believe that collaborating with students can create real value for us as a company. They bring fresh eyes and look at our challenges without the habits and limitations we ourselves can have in a busy day-to-day. That often provides new perspectives and innovative solutions we can take forward.
- Managing Director Kjeld S. Facius
For ABC Pavilloner, taking part in the Hackathon is also part of the company’s goal of strengthening the relationship between business and the education sector:
The students are our future colleagues. That’s why it makes good sense for us to be an active part of their education – both to inspire and to be inspired ourselves.
Sustainability and circularity in focus
This year’s Hackathon had sustainability and circularity as its overarching theme. The students worked on how building materials can be reused instead of ending up as waste – and how new methods can make construction both greener and more efficient.
According to Flemming Vind Christiansen, Associate Professor at VIA University College, who sees great value in the collaboration for teaching:
When companies like ABC Pavilloner provide real cases, teaching comes alive. The students gain a better understanding of how their theoretical knowledge is used in practice – and how they can contribute to the green transition in the industry.
- Flemming Vind Christiansen, Associate Professor at VIA University College
Inspiration for the solutions of the future
For ABC Pavilloner, the Hackathon has been an inspiring experience that has provided both concrete ideas and new thoughts on how the company can work even more systematically with reuse and documentation of materials.
We’re taking a lot of great input with us – on material handling, digitalisation and sustainability. It’s exciting to see how the students think creatively and spot opportunities where we might see limitations. It inspires us to develop our processes even further.