Werner Sobek

As an architect and consulting engineer, Werner Sobek's research merges the architectural subject areas of design and form with the engineering fields of analysis, construction, and material science. His interests include integrating design methods for lightweight and resource-efficient structures, adaptive structures and adaptive building skins, as well as gradient concrete systems.

Education and Degrees

• 1987 Dr.-Ing., Civil Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr.-Ing. E. h. Jörg Schlaich
• 1980 Dipl.-Ing, Civil Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr.-Ing. E. h. Jörg Schlaich and Dr.-Ing. Switbert Greiner
• 1974 – 1980 Studies in Civil Engineering, University of Stuttgart

Professional Career

• 2013 Promotion Dr. h. c., TU Graz
• 2011 Guest Lecturer, National University of Singapore
• 2009, Promotion Dr.-Ing. E. h., TU Dresden
• 2008 – 2014 Mies van der Rohe Professorship, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago
• 2007 – 2008 Visiting Professor, Harvard University, Cambridge/Massachusetts
• 2007 – 2009 Visiting Professor, aac, Hamburg
• 2006 – 2010 Chairman of the University Council, HafenCity-University, Hamburg, Member of the Advisory Council for Research and Technology, TU Graz
• 2003 – current Peer Review Engineer in Chicago
• 2000 – current Founding Director of the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design (ILEK), University of Stuttgart
• 1994 – 2000 Director of the Institute for Lightweight Structures, University of Stuttgart
• 1994 – current Professor, University of Stuttgart
• 1992 Foundation of the Werner Sobek company
• 1991 – 1994 Professor, University of Hannover
• Since 1998 President, Association for the Advancement of Lightweight Structures

Collaborative Research Center

• SFB TRR 141: Biological Design and Integrative Structures – Analysis, Simulation and Implementation in Architecture
• SFB 1244: Adaptive Building Skins and Structures for the Built Environment of Tomorrow