Can you tell us about your background?
Ever since I was a child, I've been passionate about construction as a whole. After discovering the profession of a civil engineer, the decision was made, and without a moment's regret.
After graduating as a civil engineer from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), specialising in structural engineering, I worked for several years in an engineering company in Lausanne, mainly on building projects. In 2011, back in Luxembourg, I joined Schroeder & Associés in the buildings and structures department. Ten years later, I became head of our timber construction unit. Since January 2025, I have been a partner and a member of the board of directors, as well as part of the group of department heads for the Buildings and Structures department.
What role do you play in Schroeder & Associés' overall strategy? What are your priorities for the coming years?
Schroeder & Associés' 2030 strategy is based on three pillars: integrated services, excellence and sustainability. As a partner, I'm working hard to enhance them, while integrating the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) dimension into everything we do.
With my team specialising in hybrid wood and concrete constructions, I can contribute directly to this vision. My aim is to design sustainable structures that meet tomorrow's needs, by combining innovation and responsibility.
My aim is to design sustainable structures that meet tomorrow's needs, by combining innovation and responsibility.
What is your vision for the development of your specialist field, particularly in terms of public and private projects?
My vision is centred on sustainability, whatever the type or scale of the project. It's not just a question of favouring one material or one method, but of making the most appropriate choices depending on the context and opportunities.
Recent multi-disciplinary projects include the new Lycée technique du Centre at the Midfield site and the youth hostel in Ettelbruck. This type of complex, collaborative project is like a huge jigsaw puzzle, with each piece contributing to a harmonious overall result.
Smaller-scale projects, such as the multi-purpose hall in Greiveldange or the redevelopment of the cemetery in Bridel, also provide their share of challenges and opportunities for devising innovative solutions on a small scale.
What fascinates you most about buildings and other structures?
I admire the way in which creativity and rationality come together in structural engineering. A simple sketch can evolve into a tangible, imposing construction, used every day by hundreds of people.
A striking example is the National library in Luxembourg. As an engineer, it is fundamental to design sustainable structures that respect people, the environment and nature. Each project is unique, and this diversity stimulates constant learning and development, which is extremely enriching.
How would you define the transition in public engineering and construction?
The construction sector is going through a major transition phase, particularly in the public sector. Recent legislative developments, such as the new law of 7 January 2022 on accessibility for all to places open to the public, the law of 9 June 2022 on waste, and the new fire prevention regulations, established by the Inspection du Travail et des Mines (ITM) together with the Corps Grand-Ducal d'Incendie et de Secours (CGDIS), prompted the project team to go further in designing a public project by incorporating all these new measures aimed at including people, and protecting the environment and the resources.
The construction sector is going through a major transition phase, particularly in the public sector.
This dynamic goes hand in hand with a move towards sustainable practices: recycled concrete, low-carbon cement, reuse of deconstruction materials, use of local wood, etc. These innovations, which are still emerging, point to a promising future for reducing the carbon footprint of projects.
What role do bio-based materials play in the ecological and energy transition?
Everyone involved in a project contributes to its sustainable and flexible success, not just the biobased materials. At the design stage, our specialists compare materials to meet the customer's needs, while taking into account sustainability, environmental footprint, reuse, local resources, costs and timescales. While wood or straw are suitable for a regional or even local approach, complex structures generally require a balance with low-carbon reinforced concrete and metal for an optimised, global solution.