The KNOW HOWse project at the Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018 Dubai: an academia-industry cooperation to train a new generation of professionals for the green-building challenge

Sustainability and energy efficiency are among the priorities of UAE Government to limit energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission. The UAE construction sector is rapidly implementing green-building standards in the market by introducing energy efficient materials and techniques. However,the subsidized cost of electricity causes unfeasible payback periods to the initial investment for such techniques and materials. Therefore, the energy market needs to be boosted by creating a culture of sustainability. Such strategy requires educating a new generation of professionals, provided with the awareness and skills to serve the local community and operate in the challenging construction market. The University of Sharjah and the University of Ferrara, in cooperation with local and international authorities and industry, present the KNOW HOWse project, an energy efficient prototype house designed,built, and operated by students, that participated to the Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018 in Dubai.