Bionic Lightweight Architecture

The research activities of Mrs. and Mr. Pohl are on lightweight structures such as bone-like constructions, shell constructions, membranes and pneumatic elements in architecture. All their realized building-structures are characterized by innovativeness, efficiency, aesthetics, ecology and social commitment. The work of Göran und Julia Pohl continues the work of Frei Otto, who studied lightweight shells as inspiration for architecture, and they continued this work in their own broad experience with current, forward-looking technological possibilities.

Göran Pohl is professor at the university of applied sciences HTW Saarland and associated professor at the international master program of the IMS – Institute for Membrane and Shell technologies in Dessau. One of the central concerns of Göran Pohl´s teaching and research activities is with an holistic approach the gap between the affiliated disciplines of architecture, engineering and nature and social sciences to bridge. Prof. Göran Pohl coordinated numerous presentations, among others one part of the presentation of Luxembourg at the Biennale 2006 in Venice and edited and contributed publications on bionic architecture and lightweight constructions. The transfer of the results of the proposed Helmholtz Virtual Institute into architecture would provide an opportunity to realize complex lightweight principles on different scales.