Prof. Thomas Mrokon was appointed to Mainz University of Applied Sciences in April 2021, where he teaches design and digital construction in the architecture program.
What motivated you to move to Mainz University of Applied Sciences?
Where would one start if one wanted to influence fundamental developments in the construction industry? Of course, this can be done to a certain extent through specific office and project work, but the opportunity to equip the architects of tomorrow with fresh ideas and new skills over the long term seems to me to be more effective in many ways.
Mainz University of Applied Sciences ideally combines the structural, technical, and design aspects of building. As a result, the education program largely meets the requirements of architectural firms and planning companies. In addition to the university’s strategic focus, the city of Mainz offers a very broad cultural spectrum—including Carnival, an impressive history, and 1. FSV05—that’s hard to beat.
What appeals to you most about your new position?
The unique combination of responsibility for the next generation of architects, opportunities for research, and interaction with the construction industry. The first aspect, in particular, should not be underestimated in terms of its significance. We are at an ideological turning point that will also transform the construction industry. Preparing students for this change and equipping them with the right tools and necessary knowledge is, in my view, a particularly appealing challenge. The close and personal contact with students that Mainz University of Applied Sciences facilitates is a key factor in teaching these fundamental skills.
What topic would you like to discuss with students in a casual setting?
Actually, I’ve been thinking for some time about a fundamental perspective on the topic of the circular economy. It’s essentially another way of describing sustainability, but that term has become just as overused and undifferentiated as the word “justice.” And for me, the circular economy captures the essence much better, because it has to be about a functioning cycle—one that nature exemplifies perfectly.
Everyone adapts their personal worldview on this very important topic based on filtered information from the media. I’d be interested to know how deeply this sustainable worldview is already rooted among the students and what exciting ideas or solutions can be developed not only to counteract current trends but also to reverse them through drastic measures. Is this merely about the use of wood and clay in the construction industry, or is a broad, fundamental shift in thinking taking place toward resource-conserving consumption—one that also questions all the technical, industrial, and societal aspects that have brought us to where we are today?
