Elke Sterling-Presser
CO-FOUNDER, DIRECTOR
ARCHITECT, DIPL. ING. MA AAD, ARB
Elke Sterling-Presser is a licensed German architect and entrepreneur. Since 2018, she has served as Director of STERLING PRESSER, the Berlin-based architecture and engineering practice she co-founded with engineer-architect Nicolas Sterling.
Born in 1976, Elke Sterling-Presser holds an Advanced Master of Architecture degree from the SAC-Städelschule at the Staatliche Hochschule für Bildende Künste – Städelschule in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. During her studies, she was mentored by renowned professors, including Prof. Ben van Berkel, Prof. Johan Bettum, Prof. Beatriz Colomina, and Prof. Mark Wigley. She completed her initial degree in Architecture in Heidelberg, Germany, in 2001.
Alongside her professional practice, Elke Sterling-Presser is a respected educator. Since 2019, she has been teaching at the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK). Previously, she contributed to the academic environment at the University of Greenwich in London between 2013 and 2015. Her professional experience includes leading roles at internationally recognized architecture practices, most notably at Zaha Hadid Architects in London, where she worked from 2006 to 2015.
Elke Sterling-Presser’s practice and research focus on the intersection of post-carbon architecture, circular design, and digital innovation. Emphasizing a fully integrated design approach, her philosophy is rooted in collaborative workflows that bring together diverse disciplines to develop projects from concept to realization. She believes that architects and designers can serve as catalysts for positive global transformation.
She has authored and co-authored numerous articles and publications and has published several books showcasing her work and research. Her projects have received international awards and have been widely published around the world.
Elke Sterling-Presser Photo: Jannike Stelling
Nicolas Sterling
CO-FOUNDER, DIRECTOR
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER CNAM, EURO ING, CENG, MICE
ARCHITECT DPLG
Nicolas Sterling is a qualified and chartered structural engineer and architect. He is a graduate of the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM) in Paris and the Paris-La Villette School of Architecture.
He co-founded STERLING PRESSER in 2018, a Berlin-based architecture and engineering practice. Previously, he served as Associate Director at AKT II (Adams Kara Taylor), where he managed teams delivering buildings and special structures. In 2005, he joined ARUP’s Advanced Geometry Unit (AGU), a specialist team led by Cecil Balmond, and remained part of ARUP’s Building Engineering Group in London until 2011.
His design-oriented approach and interest in innovative forms and structures have enabled him to work on cutting-edge projects with leading architects, designers, and artists, including Zaha Hadid, Shigeru Ban, Ron Arad, and Anish Kapoor. He has been involved in a wide range of programmes, including sculptures, canopies, buildings, and walkways, pursuing a design approach that integrates architecture and engineering.
Nicolas is passionate about emerging technologies and the creative process in design. He is motivated by the connection between architecture, design, and engineering, as well as by experimentation and the cross-fertilization of disciplines. He is in a constant quest to address the challenges of our time and to contribute to a new, positive narrative for a sustainable future.
Prior to 2005, Nicolas worked with Hugh Dutton at HDA in Paris on lightweight structures, long-span walkways, and façades, developing technical concepts and details as a key part of the architectural process.
Nicolas regularly lectures and participates in reviews at architecture and engineering schools. He has published several books on his work and is the author and co-author of numerous articles. His projects have received international awards and have been published worldwide.
Nicolas SterlingPhoto: Jannike Stelling
