On 17 November 2025, Simon Bechert presented the outcome of his doctoral research titled "Structural Development of Segmented Timber Shell Systems" with distinction in front of the doctoral committee. The doctoral committee consisted of Prof. Dr. phil. Stephan Trüby (IGMA) as chairman, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jan Knippers (ITKE) as supervisor and first examiner, and Prof. Dipl. AA (Hons) Achim Menges (ICD) as second examiner and Prof. Philippe Block (ETH Zürich).
Many congratulations to Simon Bechert on this outstanding achievement!
Abstract Doctoral Research
In response to the growing global challenges of climate change,resource scarcity, and urbanisation, there is an increasing demand for sustainable and material-efficient building systems. Segmented timber shell systems offer a promising solution by combining modularity, structural lightness, and the efficient use of renewable materials with advanced digital design and fabrication technologies. This dissertation develops an integrative structural design methodology to advance segmented timber shells as viable solutions for large-span architecture.
Chapter one introduces the research motivation and context, establishing the relevance of segmented timber shells as a future-oriented building system. Chapter two reviews the state of the art, tracing the evolution of shell structures and highlighting the potential of modular, lightweight timber construction within sustainable architecture. Segmented timber shells synergise these fields as a contemporary alternative in the context of an evolving built environment.
Chapter three formulates three Research Objectives (ROs) addressing key challenges in the design, engineering, and construction of segmented timber shells. These objectives form the basis for the Research Methods (RM1–RM3) outlined in chapter four, which translate them into fundamental developments and innovations for integrative structural design of segmented timber shell systems.
The core contributions are documented in peer-reviewed publications, each supported by full-scale demonstrators: the ITECH Research Demonstrator 2015–16, the Urbach Tower, the BUGA Wood Pavilion, and the livMatS Biomimetic Shell. Chapter five summarises these publications and their contributions to the overarching research framework.
Chapter six discusses the research results (RR1–RR3), demonstrating the structural viability, life cycle performance, and industrial scalability of segmented timber shells. The work shows how interdisciplinary co-design, performance-driven structural assessment, and automated prefabrication strategies enable the realisation of modular, lightweight timber shell structures.
Finally, chapter seven concludes with a critical reflection on the contributions and limitations of the research and outlines the future potential of segmented timber shells in large-scale architectural applications, bridging the gap between experimental research and construction practice.
Papers of which the dissertation consisted
- Biomimetic timber shells made of bending-active segments
https://doi.org/10.1177/0266351117746266 - Urbach Tower: Integrative structural design of a lightweight structure made of self-shaped curved cross-laminated timber
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2021.06.073 - Integrative structural design and engineering methods for segmented timber shells - BUGA Wood Pavilion
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2021.10.032 - Segmented timber shells for circular construction: Relocation, structural assessment, and robotic fabrication of a modular, lightweight timber structure
https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111857 - livMatS Biomimetic Shell: Structural advancements of segmented timber shells towards permanent building constructions
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2025.109524 - Textile Fabrication Techniques for Timber Shells: Elastic Bending of Custom-Laminated Veneer for Segmented Shell Construction Systems
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-a-010709080 - Structural Performance of Construction Systems for Segmented Timber Shell Structures
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/
iass/piass/2018/00002018/00000020/art00023 - Affordances of Complexity: Evaluation of a Robotic Production Process for Segmented Timber Shell Structures
- Design and Structural Modelling of Surface-Active Timber Structures Made from Curved CLT – Urbach Tower, Remstal Gartenschau 2019
https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030298289 - Lightweight segmented timber shell for the Bundesgartenschau 2019 in Heilbronn
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/ - The BUGA Wood Pavilion - Integrative Interdisciplinary
Advancements of Digital Timber Architecture
http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/acadia19_000.pdf - Statische Modellierung und Berechnung von Segmentschalen aus Holz (Structural modelling and analysis of segmented timber shells)
https://elib.uni-stuttgart.de/bitstream/11682/10779/3/BB14_Tagungsband.pdf - From Machine Control to Material Programming Self-
Shaping Wood Manufacturing of a High Performance Curved CLT Structure - Urbach Tower
https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10094460/1/Fabricate-2020.pdf