UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Department of Architecture in the Penn State College of Arts and Architecture’s Stuckeman School will continue its fall lecture series by virtually hosting Robin Oval, structural engineer and researcher from the École des Ponts, Paris, at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will be livestreamed via Zoom in the Stuckeman Family Building Jury Space where attendees are encouraged to watch.
In his lecture, titled “Engineering the Topology of Structures,” Oval will discuss how designing structures that are elegant, efficient and economical can advance both social and environmental goals. His presentation will dive into how structural topology plays an important role in meeting these demands.
Oval studies how to balance mechanical performance with practical construction methods, showing how digital design tools can lead to more efficient building processes and support sustainable, circular design.
Currently an assistant professor at École des Ponts, Oval has previously worked and studied at Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, the University of Cambridge and Princeton University. His research combines generative design, optimization, robotic fabrication and hands-on craft to make complex digital construction methods easier to use. He focuses on creating architectural forms that balance beauty, performance and sustainability.