Norman Blank Prize

The Norman Blank Prize for Innovation in Digital Fabrication is awarded annually for five years to a research project team in recognition of outstanding work and dedication to the development of novel, sustainable, and impactful innovation and design in the field of Digital Fabrication for Architecture Engineering and Construction.

The prize consists of a certificate of recognition, and an award of 2'000 CHF to be shared by winners. The funding of this prize was donated to the ETH Foundation as an endowment by Dr. Norman Blank.

Dr. Norman Blank

Norman Blank is a highly respected research leader in the field of material science. With expertise in adhesives Dr. Blank worked extensively in the areas of automotive and later construction materials. He joined Sika AG as Senior VP of Research & Development North America in 1991. A position he held till 2001, when he was appointed Director of Corporate Research at Sika AG in Switzerland. Norman stayed with Sika as Chief of Research Officer until retirement in July, 2014.

Norman Blank was an original member of the NCCR Digital Fabrication Industry Advisory Committee, and continues as an advisor to the NCCR DFAB Direction.

Norman Blank Prize - For Innovation in Digital Fabrication has been awarded to:

NBP 2019 - KnitCandela: Mariana Popescu and Lex Reiter

NBP 2020 - Eggshell and Future TreeNBP 2020 - Eggshell and Future Tree: Ena Lloret Fritschi and Joris Burger

NBP 2021 - HiLo Funicular Floors: Francesco Ranaudo, Andrei Jipa Mihail and Gearoid Lydon

NBP 2023 - Concrete 3D Printing: Ana Anton, Lex Reiter and Lukas Gebhard

NPB 2024 -