Dr. Simon Schleicher

Associate Professor

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Biography

Simon Schleicher is an architectural designer, researcher, and educator whose work combines architecture, engineering, and biology. He serves as an associate professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley. Throughout his career, Simon's work has focused on bio-inspired design, lightweight material-efficient structures, parametric design, digital fabrication, and robotic construction. His research has garnered recognition through prestigious awards including the Bakar Fellowship and Hellman Fellowships. Before joining UC Berkeley, Simon was the project manager for the ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion in 2010, which won the DETAIL prize and was nominated for the Mies van der Rohe Award. Additionally, Simon has been honored with several awards such as the Gips-Schüle Research Prize and the International Bionic Award. His studies at MIT were supported by merit-based full-tuition scholarships and funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German National Academic Foundation. He teaches a variety of courses addressing integrative design, bio-inspired design, and fabrication techniques.

Research Interests

Structural Design Bio-inspired Design Lightweight Design Digital Fabrication Robotic Manufacturing Parametric Design

Awards

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Bakar Fellowship / Spark Award

2021-01-01
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Hellman Fellowship

2019-01-01
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Regents’ Junior Faculty Fellowship

2016-01-01
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Gips-Schüle Research Prize

2013-01-01
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International Bionic Award

2012-01-01
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Techtextil Avantex Innovation Award

2011-01-01
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DETAIL Prize, Category “University”, ICD/ITKE

2011-01-01

Courses

ARCH 203: Integrative Design Studio ARCH 205: Studio — Bio-inspired Design Fabrication ARCH 250: Introduction Structures ARCH 252: Form Structure ARCH 259: Robotic Fabrication ARCH 259: Form-finding Panelization I+II ARCH 259: Flexible Hybrid Structures I+II ARCH 259: Variable Property Design Fabrication I+II ARCH 259: Bending Folding Structures I+II ARCH 259: Bending Tension ARCH 259: Solar Skins ARCH 299 / CEE 299: Independent Research Graduate Students

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.