Professorship of Structural Design

At the Professorship of Structural Design, structure and construction are integrated as an essential part in the architectural design process. The aim is to stimulate a paradigm shift in construction practice and therefore, to develop innovative methods, planning tools and processes for this purpose.

Research at the professorship can be divided into three main areas: Interaction of geometry and force, computer-aided structural design and structural engineering motivated planning and manufacturing methods. Based on a differentiated knowledge of geometry and mechanical behaviour of structures, new approaches are developed that enable the construction of resource-saving and efficient buildings. Research in the field of computer-aided structural design focuses on the development and implementation of new methods and tools in the field of architecture and civil engineering. New constructions and material systems are explored and developed on the basis of a sound knowledge of historical buildings and their manufacturing techniques.

All teaching in Bachelor's and Master's courses, workshops and projects is also aimed at a holistic design approach in which architecture, structure and construction are closely linked. In the Bachelor's courses, students learn the fundamental principles of structural design and apply these to the analysis and design of buildings. The Master's programme is directly integrated into the professorship's current research. Here, the focus is set on spatial load-bearing structures, complex constructions and new materials - accompanied by in-depth knowledge of their development in the history of construction. Students learn and research innovative methods of structural design, which they apply and further develop using innovative computer-aided tools for various architectural design scenarios.

The Professorship of Structural Design, under the direction of Prof. Dr. Pierluigi D'Acunto, is located at the TUM School of Engineering and Design.