What's it like to study the MSE in Building Technologies? Insights from a Master's Student

What did you do before starting the Master's program?

I earned both my bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture in Barcelona, with the latter focusing on the Architecture and Environmental Emergency track, as I had been interested in sustainability since the beginning of my studies. Midway through my academic journey, I combined my studies with professional work to gain practical experience and apply my knowledge to real-world projects. I worked as a BIM Architect in an architectural and engineering office, contributing to projects of various types and scales.

What inspired you to choose the MSE Building Technologies program at FHNW, and how has it met your expectations so far?

As an architect, I have some knowledge about sustainability in building construction, but I was looking to delve deeper into the subject since it is a topic of the present and the future. While searching for ways to expand my knowledge, I found the Master's degree in Building Technologies offered at the FHNW, and I found it suitable for acquiring the knowledge I was looking for.

At the start of my master's degree, I was unsure whether my technical background would be sufficient to keep up with the common modules shared across the different specializations in the MSE engineering program. However, I soon realized that even without prior knowledge in some subjects, I had no difficulty successfully completing them.

Can you share a specific project or experience from the program that you enjoyed most, and why?

I haven't started the projects yet, as I haven't reached that part of the program. However, what I find very convenient is that the first and second semesters, which take place in Zurich, consist of common modules across different universities. Therefore, not only can I choose subjects from my Master’s program, but if there is a subject that interests me from another Master’s program, I can choose it to learn more about other topics.

I am currently in the first semester of my master's program and have already gained new insights into fields I had never studied before, such as applied statistics and modeling and simulation. I am confident that this knowledge will enhance my future projects and contribute to my master's thesis.

Who would you recommend the MSE Building Technologies program to?

I would recommend the Master's degree to students who want to expand their knowledge of energy efficiency, building and plant engineering, and sustainability in construction. In addition, the Master's degree is designed to be done full-time or part-time, so it is possible to combine studying and working.

As an architect, I especially recommend this master's program to students with a background in architecture who want to expand their knowledge and develop the ability to design a building almost in its entirety—not just the design aspect, but also considering factors beyond aesthetics and integrating sustainable construction principles. Within the master's program, both in projects and the thesis, there are various fields of Building Technologies to explore. In my case, my focus is on sustainable and circular construction.

What are your career plans or aspirations after completing the Master’s program?

Once I finish my Master's degree, I would like to continue to delve deeper into the topic of sustainability and circular economy, possibly as a researcher. I would also like to be a consultant in sustainability and help architects or engineers build in a more efficient and sustainable way.