Since 2018, Sebastian Esser has been working at the Chair of Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (Prof. André Borrmann), where he has overseen teaching coordination for several years and leads the Information Management research group. His research focuses on digital methods for information modeling in the built environment—particularly modular planning and construction processes, robotic fabrication, and AI-based approaches for managing dynamic, interconnected data models. He also brings extensive practical experience from his work as a part-time engineering consultant, specializing in Building Information Modeling (BIM), model-based data exchange, collaboration, and model quality assurance. After studying civil engineering, Esser earned his doctorate in 2024 with the highest honors (summa cum laude) for his dissertation titled "Incremental Version Control of Distributed Object Models in the AEC Industry." His research has been published in international journals and presented at numerous professional conferences. He has received several awards for his academic and teaching achievements, including recognition from buildingSMART International and the “Built on IT” competition.
Reflecting on his new role as acting professor, Dr. Esser says:
"It is a great honor to be entrusted with the interim leadership of a university chair—especially with responsibility for teaching—less than a year after completing my PhD. I am truly grateful for the trust placed in me by all those involved in the decision." He looks forward to actively shaping the curriculum and "bringing my own ideas to the development of the courses entrusted to me."
One of Dr. Esser’s key priorities is strengthening the connection between research and teaching. He aims to increasingly integrate current technologies into his courses—even at the undergraduate level. “Several AI-based approaches will be purposefully embedded in upcoming courses,” he explains. It is particularly important to him to “introduce students gradually and with clear practical relevance to the challenges and opportunities of digital tools.” In this context, he also plans to foster further collaboration with the Nemetschek Institute for Artificial Intelligence in the Built World in order to leverage synergies related to AI and digital methods.