Lars Hesselgren
Director
RIBA
About
Lars Hesselgren is a leading researcher and innovator whose work explores how advanced technologies transform architecture and urban systems. As Director of Research at PLP Architecture, he leads research into mobility, computation and sustainable construction, bridging academia and practice. His work spans urbanism, transport infrastructure and design research with global impact.
Lars’ project experience spans Europe, the Middle East and Asia, where his research has directly informed built projects and future‑focused infrastructure systems. He led the development of IUMO/v, a radically new vertical transportation concept that reshapes the design of super‑tall buildings by enabling horizontal and vertical movement within a single system, influencing high‑rise and dense urban developments worldwide. He recently led PLP’s research and concept design for IUMO/h, a next‑generation mobility system combining autonomous electric vehicles with mass transit, with applications explored in major global cities as an alternative to large‑scale rail infrastructure. Alongside these systems, Lars’ work has informed urban‑scale projects, transport‑led masterplans, ensuring PLP’s advanced research translates into practical, scalable solutions for the built environment.
About
Lars Hesselgren is a leading researcher and innovator whose work explores how advanced technologies transform architecture and urban systems. As Director of Research at PLP Architecture, he leads research into mobility, computation and sustainable construction, bridging academia and practice. His work spans urbanism, transport infrastructure and design research with global impact.
Lars’ project experience spans Europe, the Middle East and Asia, where his research has directly informed built projects and future‑focused infrastructure systems. He led the development of IUMO/v, a radically new vertical transportation concept that reshapes the design of super‑tall buildings by enabling horizontal and vertical movement within a single system, influencing high‑rise and dense urban developments worldwide. He recently led PLP’s research and concept design for IUMO/h, a next‑generation mobility system combining autonomous electric vehicles with mass transit, with applications explored in major global cities as an alternative to large‑scale rail infrastructure. Alongside these systems, Lars’ work has informed urban‑scale projects, transport‑led masterplans, ensuring PLP’s advanced research translates into practical, scalable solutions for the built environment.