Teaching Together

Architecture is a language of form that finds expression in construction.
In our work, we address the urgent questions of sustainability and social change, yet it is deliberately framed in relation to the whole of architectural history—both pre-modern and modern—with all its contradictions and ruptures. Through our work and our teaching over the last 19 years, we have developed a language of lightweight construction that has become prototypical in Switzerland and beyond. Furthermore, we have established our practice as an international leader in innovative housing. Through our work, we have demonstrated that low-cost construction, sustainability, and social innovation are inseparable.

In our shared teaching, we strive to be open about the enormous challenges of the future while at the same time feeling that it is important to provide scope for the ambiguities of our collective present realities. For us, teaching architecture is a collaborative and cross-disciplinary process. An ongoing conversation is the central element of shared discourse. Flat hierarchies, a respectful and cheerful learning environment, and a general atmosphere of social and cultural curiosity and generosity are preconditions for teaching an architecture that is socially conscious, broadly embracing, sustainable, and culturally relevant. The ideals of gender equality, identity, inclusiveness, and social justice can only enter architectural practice through an architectural education that is provided in the same spirit.

Oliver Lütjens
Oliver Lütjens, born 1972, studied Architecture at the ETH Zurich and at the EPF Lausanne.

Together with Thomas Padmanabhan, he established Lütjens Padmanabhan Architekt*innen in 2007. The Zurich-based practice has been recognized nationally and internationally for its innovation in the field of affordable housing and for its joyful embrace of the expressive challenges of contemporary construction.

Oliver has taught as a guest professor at TU Munich, EPF Lausanne, Harvard GSD. He is currently guest professor at ETH Zurich. Projects undertaken by Lütjens Padmanabhan are diverse in scale and type, spanning three continents. Recent projects include the award-winning Waldmeisterweg low-cost Apartment Building in Zurich, the Zwhatt Sufficiency Housing Project in Regensdorf, the Unterfeld Lake Power Plant as well as the Residences for the Swiss Ambassadors in Algiers and Bogotà.


Thomas Padmanabhan
Thomas Padmanabhan, born 1970, studied Architecture at RWTH Aachen, La Sapienza Rome, and Cornell University.

Together with Oliver Lütjens, he established Lütjens Padmanabhan Architekt*innen in 2007. The Zurich-based practice has been recognized nationally and internationally for its innovation in the field of affordable housing and for its joyful embrace of the expressive challenges of contemporary construction.

Thomas has taught as a guest professor at TU Munich, EPF Lausanne, Harvard GSD. He is currently guest professor at ETH Zurich. Projects undertaken by Lütjens Padmanabhan are diverse in scale and type, spanning three continents. Recent projects include the award-winning Waldmeisterweg low-cost Apartment Building in Zurich, the Zwhatt Sufficiency Housing Project in Regensdorf, the Unterfeld Lake Power Plant as well as the Residences for the Swiss Ambassadors in Algiers and Bogotà.