Kinetic Grid Structures
Abstract:
The lecture explores the kinetic behaviour of grid shells, which enable simple and repetitive elements to construct complex freeform designs.
Starting with the core principles of architectural geometry, drawing on historical examples, such as Vladimir Shukhov's innovative steel structures, to showcase the art of bending and twisting rods for ease for construction. Eike Schling will present his latest developments in kinetic construction using slender lamellas in steel, timber, and glass-fibre-reinforced plastics (FRP), demonstrating how materials affect manufacturing and load-bearing capacity. His extensive physical and digital experiments illustrate innovative strategies to design the shape, topology, transformation and equilibrium state of gridshells.
Bio:
Eike is an architect and Professor of Structural Design at the Institute for Design and Construction, Leibniz University Hannover. He researches parametric methods, architectural geometry, and structural behavior to enable construction-aware design. His work focuses on interdisciplinary research with mathematicians and engineers to simplify complex lightweight structures without compromising design freedom.
After completing his doctorate, Repetitive Structures, in 2018 at the Chair for Structural Design at the Technical University of Munich, Eike worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong from 2019 to 2024. He served as a panel member of the HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Committee in Hong Kong and is actively engaged in the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS), where he co-founded the Architectural Geometry Working Group 22.
Eike's architectural practice, Geometry.Design.Structure, combines structural and geometric expertise to realize complex designs at all scales. His collaborations with artists, engineers, and manufacturers have resulted in innovative spaces and grid shells in Germany, the UK, and Hong Kong. As a computational designer, Eike has worked with international architecture firms to realize large-scale projects, including the Francis Crick Research Institute, One Bishopsgate Hotel & Residential Highrise, and Nova Victoria Office Development in London with PLP Architecture (2009-2012), as well as the Munich Airport T2 Satellite with Koch + Partner Architects (2012-2015).
The lecture explores the kinetic behaviour of grid shells, which enable simple and repetitive elements to construct complex freeform designs.
Starting with the core principles of architectural geometry, drawing on historical examples, such as Vladimir Shukhov's innovative steel structures, to showcase the art of bending and twisting rods for ease for construction. Eike Schling will present his latest developments in kinetic construction using slender lamellas in steel, timber, and glass-fibre-reinforced plastics (FRP), demonstrating how materials affect manufacturing and load-bearing capacity. His extensive physical and digital experiments illustrate innovative strategies to design the shape, topology, transformation and equilibrium state of gridshells.
Bio:
Eike is an architect and Professor of Structural Design at the Institute for Design and Construction, Leibniz University Hannover. He researches parametric methods, architectural geometry, and structural behavior to enable construction-aware design. His work focuses on interdisciplinary research with mathematicians and engineers to simplify complex lightweight structures without compromising design freedom.
After completing his doctorate, Repetitive Structures, in 2018 at the Chair for Structural Design at the Technical University of Munich, Eike worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong from 2019 to 2024. He served as a panel member of the HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Committee in Hong Kong and is actively engaged in the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS), where he co-founded the Architectural Geometry Working Group 22.
Eike's architectural practice, Geometry.Design.Structure, combines structural and geometric expertise to realize complex designs at all scales. His collaborations with artists, engineers, and manufacturers have resulted in innovative spaces and grid shells in Germany, the UK, and Hong Kong. As a computational designer, Eike has worked with international architecture firms to realize large-scale projects, including the Francis Crick Research Institute, One Bishopsgate Hotel & Residential Highrise, and Nova Victoria Office Development in London with PLP Architecture (2009-2012), as well as the Munich Airport T2 Satellite with Koch + Partner Architects (2012-2015).
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free
Organizer
- Dimitrios Lignos, IIC
Contact
- Dimitrios Lignos