What if the biggest breakthrough in sustainable construction isn't a new material—but using far less of it?
MIT structural engineer Caitlin Mueller explores how architecture, engineering, and computational design can dramatically reduce the environmental impact of the built environment. With buildings responsible for roughly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, she argues that material efficiency is one of the most powerful tools available today.
Drawing inspiration from nature, historical engineering, and the work of artist Janet Echelman, Mueller demonstrates how designers can collaborate with the laws of physics to create elegant, lightweight structures that use dramatically less material while remaining incredibly strong. She also showcases new computational tools developed at MIT that are reshaping architecture, public art, and the future of sustainable construction.
This inspiring talk offers a vision for a future where innovation, engineering, and creativity work together to build a more resilient and climate-conscious world. Caitlin Mueller is a researcher, designer, and educator working at the interface of architecture and structural engineering. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Building Technology Program, where she leads the Digital Structures research group.
As a researcher, Mueller focuses on developing new computational methods and tools for synthesizing architectural and structural intentions in early-stage design. She also works in the field of digital fabrication, with a focus on linking high structural performance with new methods of architectural making. In addition to her digital work, she conducts research on the nature of collaboration between architects and engineers from a historical perspective. Mueller also aims for interdisciplinary learning and integration in her teaching efforts, which include subjects in structural design and computational methods. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
