The International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) has awarded the 2025 Isler Prize to Professor Jan Knippers, Deputy Spokesperson of the Cluster of Excellence Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture (IntCDC) and Head of the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) at the University of Stuttgart.
Established by the IASS Executive Council in 2020, the Isler Prize promotes exploration, realisation, discovery and innovation in the field of lightweight structures. Named in honour of Swiss structural designer Heinz Isler (1926–2009), the award recognises significant contributions that embody his ideals of playfulness, inclusivity, sustainability and low environmental impact.
Professor Knippers is honoured for his outstanding contributions to innovative and forward-looking structural design, which is grounded in modern digital technologies and a profound dialogue between architecture and engineering. His work exemplifies the integrative and interdisciplinary approach that is central to the research vision of the IntCDC, which aims to rethink design, fabrication, and construction by realising the potential of computation and collaboration across disciplines.
This year marks the second presentation of the Isler Prize, which was first presented at the IASS 2024 symposium in Zurich, Switzerland.
