Isabel Soto Antúnez

Bio

An architect (HMONP), engineer, and faculty member and researcher, Isabel Soto’s work lies at the intersection of education, research, and project practice. Since 2019, she has been teaching at the École des Ponts et Chaussées, where she is an affiliated associate professor and leads a required civil engineering course focused on a holistic and reflective approach to the built environment. She is also working on a doctoral dissertation examining the evolution of the engineer’s role in architectural design in France at the end of the 20th century, under the supervision of Nathalie Roseau and Antoine Picon. This academic journey is informed by professional experience gained since 2014 at international firms, including Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Kengo Kuma & Associates, and Studios Architecture, as well as by a specialization in BIM.

Adjunct Associate Professor at the École des Ponts et Chaussées

Engineered Structures: From Design to Construction, Department of Civil Engineering and Construction

Since 2019, I have had the opportunity to help teach the course “Techniques and Architecture of Civil Engineering Structures” at the École des Ponts et Chaussées, first as a teaching assistant and then as a full-time instructor starting in 2022. During this time, my colleague Laurie Rowenczyn and I have updated the course, which is now titled “Built Structures: From Design to Construction.” ​

The module takes place during the first semester and is intended for first-year students in the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction. This required course consists of 12 sessions, each lasting 6 hours, and is divided into two parts: a lecture to provide context for the structure being visited (historical, technical, urban, and architectural aspects) and an on-site visit to deepen students’ understanding of the structures. ​

The goal is to provide a comprehensive and critical understanding of the built environment, incorporating architectural, technical, social, historical, and cultural dimensions. ​Topics include the role of the engineer, interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, heritage preservation, and the evolution of urban infrastructure.