About the Chair

The Chair ‘Innovations for a Sustainable Future’ was created as the result of a convergence of values between EPFL and the Banque Landolt & Cie: to contribute to build a sustainable world for the future generations. On one hand, EPFL is educating future leaders, as well as developing cross disciplinary research, both for facing sustainability challenges. On the other hand, the Banque Landolt & Cie is promoting high ethical standards and awareness of transmitting patrimony to the future generations.

The new Chair, anchored in our School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, was officially inaugurated in September 2008. It will build its strength from a multitude of concrete and innovative initiatives in teaching, research and technology transfer. As its primary objective, the program will bring every year to the EPFL campus a world-renowned specialist in an area essential to sustainable development. While at EPFL, this invited professor will extend their research, teach EPFL students, help guide semester and Master's projects and organise interdisciplinary and public-oriented activities.

The strategic goals for the Chair are set by an Academic Board which brings together representatives of the EPFL’s five Schools and two Colleges, of the EPFL Presidency and of the Executive Board of Swiss private bankers Landolt & Cie.

Members of the Academic Board

Established in 1780, Landolt & Cie have a tradition of more than two centuries as Swiss private bankers. Independent, established exclusively in Switzerland, the company is fortunate to have as one of its associates Pierre Landolt, whose personal commitment of over thirty years to sustainable development is widely acknowledged. Thus, through its activities at EPFL, Landolt & Cie pursues its mission of conveying to future generations an essential part of our heritage - Planet Earth.