The members of the Department of Building Construction are regularly contributing to architectural, artistic and scientific literature, hold lectures and workshops, and organize and take part in exhibitions. Please see a list of our activities below.
Conceptual Joining
Allner, Lukas, Christoph Kaltenbrunner, Daniela Kröhnert and Philipp Reinsberg. Conceptual Joining – Wood Structures from Detail to Utopia. Institute of Architecture and Institute of Art Sciences and Art Education at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, Edition Angewandte, Birkhäuser Verlag, 2022.
ISBN 978-3-0356-2435-9
Built to grow – Blending Architecture and Biology
Imhof, Barbara and Petra Gruber eds. Built to grow – Blending Architecture and Biology.
Edition Angewandte, Birkhäuser Verlag Vienna Austria, 2016, ISBN 978-3-0356-0920-2
What is the architect doing in the jungle? Biornametics – Architecture defined by natural patterns
Gruber, Petra and Barbara Imhof eds. What is the architect doing in the jungle? Biornametics – Architecture defined by natural patterns. Edition Angewandte, Springer Vienna Austria, 2013, ISBN 978-3-7091-1529-9
Bionics: Materials – Structures – Processes, examples, ideas and case studies
Gruber, Petra, Bruckner, Dietmar, Hellmich, Christian, Schmiedmayer, Heinz-Bodo, Stachelberger, Herbert, Gebeshuber, Ille C. eds. Bionics: Materials – Structures – Processes, examples, ideas and case studies. Springer 2011, ISBN 978-3-642-11933-0
Biomimetics in Architecture – Architecture of Life and Buildings
Gruber, Petra. Biomimetics in Architecture – Architecture of Life and Buildings.
Springer 2010, ISBN 978-3-7091-0331-9
Traditional Architecture and Art on Nias, Indonesia
Gruber, Petra and Ulrike Herbig eds. Traditional Architecture and Art on Nias, Indonesia.
Verlag des Instituts für vergleichende Architekturforschung IVA Wien, 2009, ISBN 978-3900265120
Die Unterseite der Architektur
Raith, Karin. Die Unterseite der Architektur. Konzepte und Konstruktionen an der Schnittstelle zwischen Kultur und Natur. Edition Angewandte, Springer Verlag Vienna, 2008. DOI 10.1007/978-3-211-78654-3
A Bio-Integrated Design Framework for Atmospheric Carbon Sequestration Using Enhanced Rock Weathering Principles
Salmane, Anete Krista, Körner, Andreas. “Atmospheric Carbon Sequestration Using Enhanced Rock Weathering Principles.” In Research Directions: Biotechnology Design, edited by Martyn Dade-Robertson. Cambridge University Press & Assessment, 2025, DOI: 10.33774/coe-2025-430g1
Root Learnings for Architecture
Gruber, Petra, Breuil, Camille, Minovski, Damjan, Preisinger, Clemens, Waters, Rebekka, Houette, Thibaut. “Root Learnings for Architecture.” In Research Directions: Biotechnology Design, edited by Martyn Dade-Robertson. Cambridge University Press & Assessment, 2025, DOI: 10.33774/coe-2025-4rtrj
Dorze Architecture – Woven Houses
Gruber, Petra. “Dorze Architecture – Woven Houses.” In Architectures of Weaving – From Fibers and Yarns to Scaffolds and Skins edited by Christiane Sauer, Mareike Stoll, Ebba Fransén Waldhör, Maxie Schneider. Jovis, 11.2022, ISBN 978-3-86859-739-4
Biological Entanglements for Bioinspiration
Gruber, Petra. “Biological Entanglements for Bioinspiration.” In Architectures of Weaving – From Fibers and Yarns to Scaffolds and Skins edited by Christiane Sauer, Mareike Stoll, Ebba Fransén Waldhör, Maxie Schneider. Jovis. 11.2022, ISBN 978-3-86859-739-4
Survival Perspectives on Cohabitation by Design
Gruber, Petra. “Survival Perspectives on Cohabitation by Design.” In Co-Corporeality of Humans, Machines, & Microbes edited by Barbara Imhof, Daniela Mitterberger and Tiziano Derme, 142-153. Birkhäuser, Edition Angewandte, 2022, DOI: 10.1515/9783035625882-014
A case study in biomimetic roofing: Moisture dissipation from leaf-shaped shingles
Ariana I.K.S. Rupp, Petra Gruber. “A case study in biomimetic roofing: Moisture dissipation from leaf-shaped shingles.” In Biomimicry for Materials, Design and Habitats, Innovations and Applications, 467-487 edited by Marjan Eggermont, Vikram Shyam and Aloysius F. Hepp. Elsevier, 2022, ISBN 9780128210536
Biomimetic course design exploration for improved NASA zero gravity exercise equipment
Gruber, Petra, Engelhardt, Sebastian, Siman, Kelly, Stachew, Elena and Perusek, Gail. “Biomimetic course design exploration for improved NASA zero gravity exercise equipment.” In Biomimicry for Aerospace, Technologies and Applications, 187-209 edited by Vikram Shyam, Marjan Eggermont and Aloysius F. Hepp. Elsevier, 2022, ISBN 9780128210741
Breathing Skins. Plant Leaves and Architecture
Burchert, Linn, Guiducci , Lorenzo, Gruber, Petra, Sauer Christiane. “Breathing Skins. Plant Leaves and Architecture.” In Breath. Gestalterische, ökologische und soziale Dimensionen. edited by Linn Burchert and Iva Rešetar. De Gruyter, 6.12.2021, DOI: 10.1515/9783110701876-020
Architecture in Ethiopia
Giorghis, Fasil, Gruber, Petra et al. “Architecture in Ethiopia.” In Architectural Guide Sub-saharan Africa – Volume 4, Eastern Africa: From the Sahel to the Horn of Africa, edited by Philipp Meuser and Adil Dalbai. DOM Publishers Berlin Germany, 2021, ISBN 978-3-86922-084-0
Innochain: External Perspectives
Jonkhans, Anja, Burry, Mark, Gengnagel, Christoph. “Innochain: External Perspectives.” In Design Transactions – Rethinking Information Modeling for a New Material Age edited by Sean Hanna, Mette Ramsgaard Thomsen, Bob Sheil and Martin Tamke. UCL Press, 2015, ISBN 978-1-78735-489-0
Digital Design in Research and Practice
Jonkhans, Anja. “Digital Design in Research and Practice.” In Conceptual Joining – Wood Structures from Detail to Utopia edited by Lukas Allner, Christoph Kaltenbrunner, Daniela Kröhnert and Philipp Reinsberg. Institute of Architecture, and Institute of Art Sciences and Art Education at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, Edition Angewandte, Birkhäuser Verlag, 2022, ISBN 978-3-0356-2435-9
Branch Formations
Allner, Lukas, and Daniela Kröhnert. “Branch Formations“. In Positions: Unfolding Architectural Endeavors edited by Indrė Umbrasaitė, Maja Ozvaldic, Bence Pap and Institute of Architecture. Edition Angewandte, Birkhäuser Verlag, 2020. ISBN 978-3-0356-2006-1
Traditional House Types Revived and Transformed: A Case Study in Sabzevar, Iran
Raith, Karin. “Traditional House Types Revived and Transformed: A Case Study in Sabzevar, Iran.” In Urban Heritage Along the Silk Roads. A Contemporary Reading of Urban Transformation of Historic Cities in the Middle East and Beyond edited by Fatemeh Farnaz Arefian, Seyed Hossein and Iradj Moeini. Springer Verlag, 2019, ISBN 978-3-030-22761-6
Mediating Irregularity
Allner, Lukas, Daniela Kröhnert and Andrea Rossi. “Mediating Irregularity.” In Impact: Design With All Senses, Proceedings of the Design Modeling Symposium Berlin 2019 edited by Olivier Baverel, Jane Burry, Christoph Gengnagel, Mette Ramsgaard Thomsen and Stefan Weinzierl. Springer Verlag, 2020. DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-29829-6_34
LIWAS – Living Wall Systems Prototype
Gruber, Petra. “LIWAS – Living Wall Systems Prototype.” In Living Architecture Systems Group White Papers 2019 edited by Philip Beesley, Sascha Hastings and Sarah Bonnemaison. Riverside Architectural Press, Toronto, Canada 2019, ISBN 978-1-988366-18-0
Natural Complexity. An Introduction to Structural Design with Tree Forks
Allner, Lukas, Kröhnert, Daniela, Rossi, Andrea. “Natural Complexity. An Introduction to Structural Design with Tree Forks.” In Digital Wood Design edited by Fabio Bianconi and Marco Filippucci. Springer Verlag, 2019, ISBN 978-3-030-03676-8
Interlocking Spaces
Allner, Lukas, Reinsberg, Jean Philipp, Sato, Jun. “Interlocking Spaces.” In Form and Force, Proceedings of the IASS Symposium 2019 edited by Carlos Lázaro, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger and Eugenio Oñate. International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures, 2019, ISBN 978-84-121101-0-4
Natural Form(s)
Allner, Lukas, Kröhnert, Daniela, Rossi, Andrea, Tam, Matthew. “Natural Form(s).” In Form and Force, Proceedings of the IASS Symposium 2019 edited by Carlos Lázaro, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger and Eugenio Oñate. International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures, 2019, ISBN 978-84-121101-0-4
Towards an agile bio digital architecture – Supporting a dynamic evolutionary and developmental view of architecture
Gruber, Petra, McGinley, Tim, Mühlbauer Manuel. “Towards an agile biodigital architecture – Supporting a dynamic evolutionary and developmental view of architecture.” In Interdisciplinary Expansions in Engineering and Design with the Power of Biomimicry edited by Kokturk, Gulden and Tutku Didem Akyol Altun. Intech Open Publisher, 2018, DOI 10.5772/65987
The Role of Qanat and Irrigation Networks in the Process of City Formation and Evolution inthe Central Plateau of Iran, the Case of Sabzevar
Raith, Karin. “The Role of Qanat and Irrigation Networks in the Process of City Formation and Evolution in the Central Plateau of Iran, the Case of Sabzevar.” In Urban Change in Iran. Stories of Rooted Histories and Ever-accelerating Developments edited by Fatemeh Farnaz Arefian, Hassan Estaji, Seyed Hossein and Iradj Moeini. Springer Verlag, 2016, ISBN 978-3-319-26113-3
On Stage
Jonkhans, Anja, Jonkhans, Niels. “On Stage.” In Weil Kunst entsteht – Wirk(stätt)en in Niederösterreich edited by Land Niederösterreich. Residenz-Verlag St. Pölten, 2014, ISBN 9783701733491
Dharavi is almost alright
Raith, Karin. “Dharavi is almost alright.” In Stadt und Land im Fluss. Wege in eine
zukunftsfähige Raumentwicklung edited by Universität für Bodenkultur, 2012.
DOI 10.1080/02513625.2013.799876
Bauen am Wasser
Raith, Karin. “Bauen am Wasser.” In Kalt und Warm: Baukultur in Seen- und
Thermenregionen im Alpen-Adria Raum edited by Gordana Brandner-Gruber and Astrid Meyer-Hainisch. Dokumentation des Projekts “Kalt und warm” im Rahmen des INTERREG-Projektes CULTH:EX CAR-GOR, 2012, ISBN 978-3-200-02792-3
Die Landschaft der Architekten
Raith, Karin. “Die Landschaft der Architekten.” In Vieldeutige Natur: Landschaft, Wildnis, Ökosystem als kulturgeschichtliche Phänomene edited by Ludwig Trepl and Thomas Kirchhoff. Transcript-Verlag Bielefeld, 2009, DOI: 10.14361/9783839409442-013
Symposium Vernacular Futures: Intertemportal and Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Vernacular Architecture and Climate
Gruber, Petra. “Disaster waiting to happen – Speculations on vulnerability and resilience of vernacular architecture. Learnings from architectural traditions from three continents,” organised by CLIMATE-Arch. Lecture, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Social Anthropology, Vienna.
Towards Integrative Design Symposium: Bio-Integrated and Digitally Fabricated
Preisinger, Clemens. “Root Learnings for Architecture,” as a part of the Towards Integrative Design Symposium. Lecture, University of Innsbruck, Department of Experimental Architecture.
IoA Sliver Lecture Series
Gruber, Petra. “A Living Architecture – Bio What?” as a part of the Tempor(E)alities Lecture Series. Lecture, University of Applied Arts, Institute of Architecture, Vienna.
Circular Strategies 4: Natural and Nature-Based Material, Material Experimentation
Gruber, Petra. “A Living Architecture – Mycoterials,” as a part of the Circular Strategies Symposium 4. Lecture, University of Applied Arts, Institute of Architecture, Vienna.
ROOTARCH Exhibition – Plant Root Growth for Bioinspired Architectural Design
Gruber, Petra, Speck, Thomas, Roth-Nebelsick, Anita, Houette, Thibaut, Breuil, Camille, Preisinger, Clemens, Minovski, Damjan, Körner, Andreas, Einfalt, Dominik and Waters, Rebekka. “ROOTARCH” as a part of the Circular Strategies Symposium 6. Cultivating Matter. Exhibition, VZA Atrium, Institute of Architecture at the University of Applied Arts, Vienna.