Thorsten Helbig

Thorsten Helbig is an Adjunct Associate Professor at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, where he contributes expertise in structural and façade engineering. He is also a founding partner of Knippers Helbig (KH), an award-winning firm established in 2001 with offices in Stuttgart, New York, and Berlin. At KH, Helbig promotes innovative collaborations with architects, engineers, and industry partners, focusing on advanced materials and fabrication technologies.

• Education: Studied civil engineering and architecture at UAS Bielefeld, Germany (1994).
• Professional Experience: Structural engineer and project manager at SBP Stuttgart before founding KH. Led groundbreaking projects like Bao'an International Airport T3 and Trumpf Smart Factory.
• Research Focus: Explores parametric design tools, robotic fabrication, and materials such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers, textile-reinforced concrete, and mass timber.

His work has earned accolades including the German Steel Construction Award and the Mies van der Rohe Award. Helbig lectures internationally at institutions like Harvard Graduate School of Design and TU Delft, while also participating in design studios at the University of Pennsylvania and UCLA.

• Key Collaborations: Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Gehry Partners, Stefan Behnisch, Grimshaw.
• Professional Memberships: Chamber of Engineers in Germany, IABSE, IASS.