At the Chair of Structural Engineering, the cross-material teaching of structural engineering, structural design and holistic structural design are taught. The fact that geometry forms the interface between architecture and civil engineering, and that it is this geometry that defines the choice of supporting structure, represents the core of the teaching. In the joint courses, the students of both fields of study experience the importance of this link, as the basis of a joint design and work process.

Dortmund Model

The Dortmund Model describes precisely this joint teaching for architecture and civil engineering students not only in the supporting structures, but also practices the integrative approach of joint interdisciplinary training in three projects during the course of study. Here the foundations are laid for later collaboration in design by teaching structural design in the overall context of the building.

The goal in holistic structural design is to work out a viable and sustainable solution that meets the technical and design objectives in equal measure, taking into account the demands of use and design, the requirements of building physics and the needs of the technical building equipment. The multiple requirements for load-bearing structures are matched by a large potential of design elements (load-bearing structure form, composition, material) and possible combinations. Advances in materials technology, developments in manufacturing and joining techniques, and expanding design tools constantly reinforce this potential.