He is a member of the Global Holcim Foundation Awards 2012 Innovation prize and Holcim Foundation Awards 2011 Acknowledgement prize for Europe for "Low-cost apartments incorporating smart materials" in Hamburg, Germany.

Mike Schlaich studied civil engineering at the University of Stuttgart and ETH Zurich, and received PhD in civil engineering from ETH Zurich in 1989. He worked in Spain as a structural engineer before joining in the firm of Schlaich Bergermann and Partner in Stuttgart which specializes in lightweight and long-span structures.

He became Managing Director of the firm in 2002, which has been active in the field of renewable energies for more than 20 years. Systems for solar thermal energy production including dish-stirling concentrators, trough collectors and the solar updraft tower were successfully developed by the office.

As a specialist in lightweight construction, Mike Schlaich is a strong advocate of the holistic, conceptual design approach, which gives the engineer more responsibility and a greater contribution to building culture. In doing so, he pursues the concept of improving the quality of life through ecological, functional and aesthetic aspects and through high-quality structures.