In both its research and its teaching activities, the ILEK integrates the typical architectural focus on design and form with the engineering fields of analysis, construction, and material science. Following a highly interdisciplinary approach, the institute focuses on the conceptual and crossmaterial development of all types of building technologies, facade and structural systems with a special focus on the overall life-cycle from design to disassembly.

The scope of work spans from textile and glass construction, to new possibilities in steel and pre-stressed concrete design, to ultra-lightweight structures using adaptive systems. Innovative fabrication and control technologies as well as all kind of digital tools are embedded in the process.

From the individual details to the overall system, the aim is to optimize form and structure with respect to energy and resource consumption, durability and reliability, recycling potential and environmental sustainability.Vital to the success of this approach is the integration of the institute in an active international network with other leading research and teaching institutions, as well as the collaboration with numerous industry partners.