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Ute Poerschke

Professor of Architecture, Associate Department Head for Graduate Education
Contact
uxp10@psu.edu
814-865-4238
429 Stuckeman

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Ute Poerschke, professor and associate department head for graduate education, teaches architectural design and technical systems integration/comprehensive studio.

Prior to her tenure at Penn State, she taught design, construction, and environmentally responsible architecture at the Technical Universities of Berlin and Munich (1999–2005) and completed her doctoral degree in architectural theory at the Technical University of Cottbus in 2005.

She is a licensed architect and licensed urban planner in Germany, an international member of the American Institute of Architects, and a LEED-accredited professional. Poerschke is a principal of the firm Friedrich-Poerschke-Zwink Architekten | Stadtplaner in Munich, Germany, and co-editor of the architectural journal Wolkenkuckucksheim | Cloud-Cuckoo-Land.

Poerschke’s research focuses on the relationship of architecture and technology, the theory of functionalism, and the interpretation of how architects integrate aspects of technology with expression in architectural projects and education. Most of her recent work focuses on the high modernism of the 1920s to 1960s, particularly on how architects responded to the progressing lighting and heating, cooling, and ventilation science, technology and engineering of the time.

  • Education
    • Dr.-Ing. in Architecture, Brandenburg Technical University at Cottbus, Germany
    • Dipl. Ing. from Technical University of Munich, D
    • Ph.D. from Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus, D
  • Courses Taught
    • Architectural Design III (B.Arch.)
    • Architectural Design IV (B.Arch.)
    • Technical Systems Integration
    • Environmentally Conscious Design
    • Architectural Design III (M.Arch.)
    • Architectural Design IV (M.Arch.)
  • Honors + Awards

    2022

    • Jewish National Fund USA Faculty Fellowship

    2020

    • Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) Graduate Faculty Teaching Award

    2014

    • George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching

    2011

    • Honorable Mention in the 2011 NCARB Prize Program for Creative Integration of Practice and Education in the Academy

    2010

    • AIA BIM Award Category “Academic Program and Curriculum Development”
    • Autodesk BIM Experience Award

    AWARDS IN ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITIONS

    2019

    •  Children Daycare Center Stutzwinkel in Straubing, D, with FPZ-Architekten, 2nd prize

    2018

    • Youth Center in Landsberg am Lech, D, with FPZ-Architekten, 1st prize

    2015

    • Robert-Boehringer-Schule (middle school) in Winnenden, D, with FPZ-Architekten, 1st prize

    2014

    • City Hall in Altbach, D, with FPZ-Architekten, honorable mention

    2013

    • Werdenfels Museum in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, D, with FPZ-Architekten, 3rd prize
    • Fritz-Beck-Schule (middle school) in Landsberg, D, with FPZ-Architekten, runner-up

    2011

    • Dahlmann Schle (highschool) in Frankfurt, D, 4th prize

    2010

    • City Center Neufinsing, D, urban planning competition, with FPZ-Architekten, honorable mention
    • Senior Center and its Urban Context in Gundelsheim, D, with FPZ-Architekten, 2nd prize
    • Elementary School with Gymnasium, Natatorium, and Day Care Center in Frankfurt, D, with FPZ-Architekten, 2nd prize

    2009

    • Student Hostel in Augsburg, D, with FPZ-Architekten, 5th prize

    2008

    • Enlargement of the Veitsburg (Youth Hostel) in Ravensburg, D, with FPZ-Architekten, runner-up

    2007

    • Bridge in Salzburg, A, with FPZ-Architekten, 3rd rank 2006 Penn State Faculty Charrette, 3rd prize

    2005

    • Archives in Essen, D, with FPZ-Architekten, runner–up

    2003

    • Refectory in Martinsried, D, with FPZ-Architekten, 5th prize

    2002

    • City Center in Regensburg, D, with S. Zwink, 4th prize

    2001

    • Housing in Munich, D, with K. Friedrich, S. Hoff, and S. Zwink, 1st prize

    2000

    • Horticultural Show in Riem, D, with D. Straub (L.Arch.), runner–up

    1998–99

    • Housing in Weißenfels, D, (Eurpoan 5), 1st prize
  • Publications + Presentations

    PUBLICATIONS IN ARCHITECTURAL THEORY

    2020

    • Poerschke, U., “Architectural Design and Doctoral Research.” In: Federica Goffi and Ryan Stec: InterVIEWS: Insights and Introspection on Doctoral Research in Architecture. New York: Routledge 2020, 221-230.

    2019

    • Poerschke, U., Rim, D., Pei, G., Mirhosseini, H., “The ‘Air-Wall’: Re-Evaluating a Mid-Twentieth Century Four-Sided Double-Skin Façade.” In: TAD Technology | Architecture, and Design, vol. 3 (2019), no. 2, pp. 200-210. ISSN 2475-1448. https://doi.org/10.1080/24751448.2019.1640538.
    • Poerschke U., Purdy, D. (eds.), Bauhaus Transfers, theme issue of Wolkenkuckucksheim | Cloud-Cuckoo-Land. International Journal of Architectural Theory, vol. 24 (2019) no. 39, 245 p. ISSN 1430-8363.
    • Poerschke, U., “Der Funktionsbegriff am Bauhaus.” In: Die Schweizer Avantgarde und das Bauhaus, edited by Gregor Grämiger, Ita Heinze-Greenberg, Lothar Schmitt, Zurich: gta-Verlag 2019, 121–131.

    2018

    2017

    2016

    2015

    2014

    2013

    2012

    2011

    • Poerschke, U.: “Francesco Milizia e l’idea di funzione e rappresentazione,” in: Marco Russo (ed.): Francesco Milizia e il teatro del suo tempo: Architettura, Musica, Scena, Acustica; Trento: Editrice Universita di Trento, pp. 89–102.
    • Poerschke, U.: “Architektur als mathematische Funktion. Überlegungen zu Gottfried Semper,” in: M. Eggers (ed.): Von Ähnlichleiten und Unterschieden. Vergleich, Analogie, Klassifikation in Wissenschaft und Literatur; Heidelberg: Universitätsverlag Winter, pp. 119–39.

    2009

    • Poerschke, U.: “‘Stein nicht Stein? Holz nicht Holz?’ – Zur konkreten Materialität von Architektur,” in: Wolkenkuckucksheim | Cloud-Cuckoo-Land, vol. 14, nr. 1: Das Konkrete und die Architektur/Concreteness in Architecture, edited by S. Hauser and C. Dreyer.
    • Poerschke, U.: “Form-Funktion-Verknüpfungen in der Architektur (Form-Function-Relationships in Architecture),” in: S. Muhr; W. Windorf (ed.): Wahrheit und Wahrhaftigkeit in der Kunst von der frühen Neuzeit bis heute, Berlin: Reimer, pp. 73–84.
    • Poerschke, U.: “Transfer wissenschaftlicher Funktionsbegriffe in die Architekturtheorie des 18.Jahrhunderts (The Transfer of Scientific Terms of Function to 18th Century Architectural Theory),” in: M. Eggers; M. Rothe (ed.): Wissenschaftsgeschichte als Begriffsgeschichte, Bielefeld: Transcript, pp. 193–211.

    2007

    • Poerschke, U.: “Hannes Meyer – Connecting Poetics and Ethics,” Proceedings of the Conference “Reconciling Poetics and Ethics in Architecture” at the Canadian Centre for Architecture CCA and McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
    • Poerschke, U.: “Über architektonische Strukturen – Architectural Structures,” in: D. Eberle; P. Simmendinger: Von der Stadt zum Haus. Eine Entwurfslehre – From City to House. A Design Theory, Zürich: gta, pp. 82–95.
    • Poerschke, U.: “Rethinking Function,” Proceedings of the ARCC/EAAE 2006 Conference at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, pp. 206–13.

    PUBLICATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS DESIGN

    2017

    2015

    2013

    • Poerschke, U., Gampfer, S. (ed.), Environmentally Conscious Architecture, special issue of Buildings, editorial pp. 766–770.
    • Rekstad N.M., Srebric J., Poerschke U.: “Microcliamte Analyses for the Design of Building-Integrated Wind Turbines,” in: Chimay Anumba and Ali M. Memari (ed.): AEI 2013. Building Solutions for Architectural Engineering, pp. 604–613.

    2012

    • Leicht R., Messner J., Poerschke U.: “INVOLVE: Developing Interactive Workspaces that impact Communication and Task Performance when using Virtual Prototypes,” Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering.

    2011

    • Poerschke, U. (ed.): “Wind Turbine Integration in Architecture and the Built Environment,” exhibition catalog, State College (85 pages). See also: wind.psu.edu.
    • Poerschke, U.; Kalisperis, L.; Santamouris, M.; Spanou, A.: “Design Approaches for Upgrading Historically Significant Architecture Toward Zero-Energy: The Republic of Cyprus Presidential Palace,” in: M. Bodart and A. Evrard (ed.): Proceedings of the 27th International Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture PLEA, Presses Universitaires de Louvain, pp.527–532.
    • Poerschke, U.; Woollen, M.; Stewart, S.; Srebric, J.; Murtha, T.: “Design Investigations on Building-Integrated Wind Energy: Lessons from an Architecture Studio,” Proceedings of the 2011 American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Conference, Raleigh, NC, pp.955–962.

    2009

    • Poerschke, U.: “Simulationsprogramme für Umweltsensitives Entwerfen – Simulation Applications for Environmentally Sensitive Design,” in: Bauhaus Universität Weimar (ed.): Proceedings of the 2nd Bauhaus Solar Conference, Weimar (CD-ROM).
    • Bambardekar, S.; Poerschke, U.: “The Architect as Performer of Energy Simulation in the Early Design Stage,” in: P. Strachan, N. Kelly, M. Kummert (ed.): Building Simulation 2009: Proceedings of the 11th International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) Conference at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, pp. 1306–1313.

    2008

    • Poerschke, U.; Kalisperis, L.: “Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and Building Information Modeling in the Design Studio,” in: Roaf, S., Bairstow, A. (ed.): The Oxford Conference. A Re-Evaluation of Education in Architecture, Southampton: WITPress, pp. 307–310.

    2007

    • Poerschke, U.; Kalisperis, L.: “BIM: Defining Opportunities for Environmentally Sensitive Design,” in: Wittkopf, St., Tan, B. (ed.): Sun, Wind and Architecture. The Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture PLEA, Singapore, pp. 302–308.

    PUBLICATIONS ON TEACHING ARCHITECTURE

    2013

    2011

    • Messner, J.; Holland, R.; Poerschke, U.; Parfitt, K.; Pihlak, M.: “Educating the Master Building Team: Leveraging BIM to Enable the Development of Collaborative Knowledge,: in: BIM in Academia, edited by Peggy Deamer and Phillip G. Bernstein, New Haven: Yale School of Architecture, pp.57–67.
    • Pihlak, M., Deamer, P., Holland, R., Poerschke, U., Messner, J., Parfitt, K.: “Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the Impact on Design Quality,” In: Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology JAET, vol.1, nr.101.

    2010

    • Poerschke, U.; Holland, R.; Messner, J.; Pihlak, M.: “BIM Collaboration Across Six Disciplines,” in: Tizani, W. (ed.): Proceedings of the 2010 International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering; Nottingham: University of Nottingham Press, pp.575–580.
    • Committee for Environmentally Conscious Architecture; Iulo, L.; Poerschke, U.: “Innovation in Education: Implementing Environmentally Conscious Design in Architecture Curricula,” in: Anumba, C., et al. (ed.): Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Innovation in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC); Loughborough, UK, pp.487–496.

    2007

    • Poerschke, U.: “Teaching the Relation of Environmental Sensitivity and Conceptual Design,” in: Wittkopf, St.; Tan, B. (ed.): Sun, Wind and Architecture. The Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture PLEA, Singapore, pp. 699–705
  • Service + Affiliations
    • 2020–present Member, Society of Architectural Historians
    • 2015–present Member of BDA (German Association of Architects)
    • 2013–present Member of MAIV (Munich Society of Architects and Engineers)
    • 2008–present Member of Society of Building Science Educators

    PROFESSIONAL LICENSES/REGISTRATIONS

    • 2009–present, LEED AP, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional
    • 2008–present, Licensed Urban Planner, Bavarian Chamber of Architects, Germany
    • 2007–present, Associate International Architect, American Institute of Architects
    • 1996–present Licensed Architect, Bavarian Chamber of Architects, Germany

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