Interview with Corentin Fivet, new professor at the smart living lab
© 2016 EPFL
Corentin Fivet, formerly a post-doc at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, United States, has been named tenure track assistant professor of architecture and structural design at the School for Architecture, Civil, and Environmental Engineering (ENAC). He has just taken up his post at the smart living lab, a research and development center that is run jointly by EPFL, the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg, and the University of Fribourg.
You just arrived at the smart living lab, which includes EPFL Fribourg. What are your first impressions?
Here in the smart living lab’s Blue Hall, I can see researchers settling in. Others have been here for some time and are happy to welcome newcomers. The Blue Hall today makes me think of a steam liner, still in the harbor, but about to set sail to conquer new unknown lands. I’m excited about the exchanges that will emerge from the proximity between the labs present at the smart living lab. My reception here has been perfect.
How did you get interested in your field of research?
Studying load-bearing systems and how they are designed lets me juggle between to completely antagonistic approaches: the architectural project-driven spirit, and engineering rigor. I am fascinated by this clash of methods.
What are some of the questions you will be focusing on over the coming years?
I will concentrate on develop tools, methods, and prototypes that will help integrate the construction industry into a more circular economy. There is still much to be done in terms of shrinking the ecological footprint of our buildings. New construction methods have to be developed, as well as new ways of designing and working together. I will continue to tackle this complex question from the perspective of geometry and its interactive definition. I am also planning on taking advantage of the facilities at the smart living lab to carry out large-scale experiments.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love discovering new contexts, cultures, and traditions, and trying to integrate them to understand their essence. The diversity and richness of mankind and our heritage are an infinite source of discovery.
What are you most excited about?
Carrying out my research in a team of passionate people in a first-rate research environment.
Have you already had a traditional moitié-moitié Fondue from Fribourg?
No. I have had Rösti, as well as meringues with double cream from Gruyères. But I am not yet able to combine the two in a single meal.