Bob Sheil

Bob Sheil is Professor of Architecture and Design through Production at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. A registered architect with over 25 years of experience, he is renowned for his work exploring the relationship between design, making, craft, and technology in architecture. As the sixth Director of the Bartlett School of Architecture from 2014 to 2022, he led transformative changes that significantly expanded the school's physical space, student applications, and research impact, while championing equality, diversity, and inclusivity initiatives.

Professor Sheil's research centers on the complex relationship between design and making in architecture, particularly how this relationship affects architectural outcomes. He advocates for 'Protoarchitecture,' a speculative approach that creates alternative pathways for architectural production through varied design and making methodologies. His work examines how new tools have dissolved boundaries between the drawn and the made, arguing that how we design has become equally important to what we design. This perspective has informed his hands-on teaching philosophy that emphasizes learning through direct engagement with evolving technologies and materials.

His publication record reveals a consistent focus on digital fabrication, material innovation, and the evolving role of the designer in contemporary practice. The Fabricate conference series he co-founded has become a major international platform for research in architectural production, with publications generating over 330,000 downloads across 184 countries. Recent work shows increasing emphasis on resource efficiency, sustainable practices, and the integration of material intelligence within digital workflows.

Professor Sheil's significant professional recognition includes:

• RIBA award for design (2010) for '55/02' with Stahlbogen GmbH

As an educator and mentor, Professor Sheil has supervised PhD students since 2011 and has been instrumental in developing innovative architectural education programs. His leadership resulted in substantial growth in research funding, student applications (90% increase), and international collaborations. He co-founded the influential FABRICATE conference series and sixteen*(makers), and played a key role in establishing the Bartlett Manufacturing and Design Exchange (Bmade), which has transformed the school's workshop facilities and safety culture.

Professor Sheil maintains active collaborations with institutions including the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, SHUNT, ScanLAB projects, and Thomas Pearce, creating interdisciplinary opportunities that bridge architecture with performance, digital scanning, and scenography. His current work continues to push the boundaries of architectural practice through the integration of emerging technologies and material innovation.