image: Festive event in honor of Frei Otto's 100th birthday at the University of Stuttgart.
Credit: University of Stuttgart / Uli Regenscheit
"Frei Otto reimagined architecture - lightweight, interdisciplinary, and responsible. His legacy is more relevant than ever, especially when we are looking for solutions for climate-friendly and affordable construction. With its robust research landscape and the legacy of the Stuttgart School, Baden-Württemberg holds a special responsibility to boldly forge ahead on this path,” stated Nicole Razavi MdL, Minister for Regional Development and Housing of Baden-Württemberg, during the opening of the event.
Frei Otto’s ideas not only spanned roofs but also opened up new ways of thinking - towards buildings that push the boundaries of gravity, grounded in a deep sense of responsibility for people, resources, and the environment. Nowhere embodies this spirit more strongly than Stuttgart: the city that shaped Otto – and that he, in turn, shaped.
The University of Stuttgart was his intellectual home for more than two decades. “Frei Otto made visionary pioneering contributions to research and teaching. The University of Stuttgart’s rise as an internationally renowned center for architecture, lightweight construction, and sustainable building methods is also thanks to his invaluable contributions," says Prof. Peter Middendorf, Rector at the University of Stuttgart. Especially at the Institute for Lightweight Structures (IL), founded by Otto and from which today’s Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design (ILEK) emerged, he shaped research, teaching, and structural aesthetics. "We have remained true to Frei Otto’s founding principles: Even today, we continue to explore the limits and possibilities of resource-efficient construction in ever new ways," explains Prof. Lucio Blandini, head of ILEK since 2020.
A global visionary from Stuttgart
Frei Otto (May 31, 1925 – March 9, 2015) never saw architecture as an end in itself – for him, it was always also an ethical mission. He built not only lightweight constructions, he also built responsibly –for the environment, for society, and for future generations. His designs reflect a deep respect for natural resources and a pursuit of maximum impact with minimal material use - long before sustainability became a guiding principle. Equally important to him was the social dimension of building and the question of how architecture can provide protection, dignity, and inclusion. He designed emergency shelters for refugees, explored alternative housing concepts, and emphasized participatory design processes.
Frei Otto’s work is not only architecturally groundbreaking - it represents an attitude: one of interdisciplinary collaboration and a building culture that places people at its center. He gained international recognition with projects such as the German Pavilion at Expo 1967 in Montreal, the suspended roof of the Munich Olympic Stadium, and the Multihalle in Mannheim. "Engaging with Frei Otto is worthwhile not only from a cultural-historical perspective. His work is more relevant today than ever before and offers groundbreaking inspiration for the future. At the intersection of architecture, technology, and society, we see how interdisciplinary, well-founded research can contribute to the sustainable development of our built environment," explains Prof. Christiane Weber, Head of the Institute of Architectural History (ifag).
Otto's legacy: Lightweight construction as a strategy for the future
At the international conference "Frei Otto 100 – The Spirit of Lightweight Construction," ILEK and ifag brought together leading voices from research, architecture, engineering, and culture to honor the University of Stuttgart’s most celebrated architect." Frei Otto’s legacy was projected into the future through engaging lectures, thought-provoking panels, and dynamic discussions. The focus was on his understanding of the environment and the relevance of his approaches in the face of global challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity. Renowned experts, including Professors Georg Vrachliotis, Daniela Fabricius, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger, Mike Schlaich, Sigrid Adriaenssens, Achim Menges, and Jenny Sabin, presented research questions and projects that build on Otto’s principles – ranging from textile construction to adaptive structures.
Frei Otto’s vision of building with nature shapes not only research and teaching at ILEK, but also influences the strategic profile area Architecture and Adaptive Buildings of the University of Stuttgart, the Cluster of Excellence Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture (IntCDC), and the Collaborative Research Centre Adaptive Shells and Structures for the Built Environment of the Future. The researchers build on Otto’s approaches, integrating insights from materials science, mechanical engineering, biology, robotics, and computer science to create experimental architectures that, through the use of new technologies, remain functional, ecological, and socially responsive. In this way, Frei Otto’s vision endures - light in material, yet deeply rooted in responsibility.
A place of encounter – an inspiration for tomorrow
For Frei Otto’s 100th birthday, citizens were also invited to engage with his way of thinking. In Chemnitz, an interactive exhibition was held; in Mannheim and Munich, guided tours took place at the Multihalle and the Olympic Stadium; and open discussion formats in Leonberg and Stuttgart brought lightweight construction to life. A special highlight was the event “Unfolding Umbrellas – An Evening for Frei Otto” on June 5th at StadtPalais Stuttgart: In a performative gesture, three restored prototypes of the “Manual Funnel Umbrellas” were presented for the first time – a poetic tribute to Frei Otto’s ideas of openness, lightness, and community.
The conference “Frei Otto 100 – The Spirit of Lightweight Construction”
The event was organized by the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design (ILEK) in cooperation with the Institute of Architectural History (ifag) at the University of Stuttgart and supported by numerous partners. Further information