After more than 10 years of research and development into bio-inspired façade shading, a fully functional prototype is now being opened for the first time in continuous operation at the greenhouse of the Freiburg Botanical Garden. The system is pneumatically actuated and deforms through elastic and reversible bending of fiber composite laminates. This avoids joints and other mechanical wear parts. The starting point for the development was the investigation of plant movements with the Plant Biomechanics Group, Freiburg.

The Architecture Section of the Academy of Arts nominated Jan Knippers as a new member at its meeting on May 25, 2024 and the plenary session of the Academy confirmed this election.

The Akademie der Künste is one of Germany’s most important cultural institutions, which has repeatedly made its voice heard on many issues of cultural and political life. Founded in 1696, the Akademie der Künste in Berlin is one of the oldest cultural institutes in Europe. It is an international community of artists in its six Sections (Visual Arts, Architecture, Music, Literature, Performing Arts, Film and Media Arts). The Akademie der Künste is an exhibition and event location, a meeting place for artists and people interested in the arts, where public debates on art and cultural policy take place.

In spring 2024 Jan Knippers is visiting professor at the University College London. The stay is supported by a visiting professorship grant of the Leverhulme Trust.

Today we celebrated groundbreaking ceremony for lookout tower and fibre pavilion at Landesgartenschau 2024 Wangen im Allgäu