Philippe Block

Philippe Block is a structural engineer and architect at ETH Zürich, where he serves as Full Professor of Architecture and Structure and Head of the Institute of Technology in Architecture (ITA). He also directs the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) in Digital Fabrication and co-founded the ETH spin-off VAULTED AG.

Educational Background:

• BSc and MSc in Civil Engineering-Architecture, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (2003)
• SMArchS in Design & Computation, MIT (2005)
• PhD in Building Technology, MIT (2009)

His research focuses on merging historical structural principles with computational form finding, digital fabrication, and sustainable design to minimize embodied carbon. His team has developed tools like RhinoVAULT, COMPAS, and eQUILIBRIUM to democratize structural design. Projects such as the Armadillo Vault, Striatus bridge, and KnitCandela showcase his work in translating theory into practice.

Scientific Awards:

• 2022 VUB Honorary Fellow
• 2021 DigitalFUTURES Fellowship
• 2019 VUB Engineering Fellow
• 2018 Baukunst Prize (Berlin Art Prize)
• 2018 Rössler Prize
• 2012 Edoardo Benvenuto Prize
• 2010 Golden Owl (ETH Zurich)
• 2010 Tsuboi Award (IASS)
• 2008 Research Grant (Germany)
• 2007 IASS Hangai Prize
• 2003 Hoover Foundation Fellowship

Block leads the Block Research Group (BRG), which pioneers structural design approaches inspired by historical master builders. His work bridges academia and industry through projects like Foreign Engineering, a consultancy on sustainable structures, and his role as Chair of Holcim Ltd's Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee.