Mecanoo architecten b.v.

Profile of Mecanoo architecten b.v.

Business Name

Mecanoo architecten b.v.

Location

Netherlands

Services

Architecture

Website

http://www.mecanoo.com

Francine M.J. Houben

Principal(s)

Francine M.J. Houben (1955)

Philosophy

For Francine Houben, architecture is more than just the designing of a building; her field of interest is much wider. "Architecture is an interplay of various elements, such as urban planning, landscape design and the interior. The integration of these elements is what characterises Mecanoo's work."

Technical, human and playful aspects are woven into a single solution in Mecanoo's designs. Houben: "Architecture should stir the senses. Architecture can never be a purely intellectual, conceptual and visual game. What ultimately counts is the arrangement of form and emotion." Guided by a feeling for the urban context, love of nature, responsibility for sustainability and social commitment, Mecanoo searches for adequate solutions to design tasks.

Mecanoo's designs owe their character to the distinct design and combination of materials. A combination of warm materials like wood, copper and bamboo with practical materials like glass, steel and concrete give a building a rich and human look. Appearances matter, but a design is only really successful through the way that the internal space is organised, where routing, light and atmosphere play an important role. It's a matter of creating a building or an environment in which people feel at home and in which it is pleasant to work and live.

Background

• Founded: 1984
• Offices: 1
• Design team: 81

Key projects

• Library of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK (2008-2013)
• Municipal Offices and Train Station, Delft (2006-2014)
• National Performing Arts Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan (2007-2012)
• Palace of Justice, Cordoba, Spain (2006-2011)
• Theatre and Congress Centre La Llotja, Lleida, Spain (2005-2007)
• Business Innovation Center FiftyTwoDegrees, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (2001-2006)
• Chapel St. Mary of the Angels, Rotterdam, The Netherlands(1998-2001)
• National Heritage Museum, Arnhem, The Netherlands (1995-2000)
• Library Technical University, Delft, The Netherlands (1993-1997)
• Montevideo, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Key publications

• Mecanoo, Betsky A., Brouwers R., Houben F., Images Publishing Group, Victoria 2008
• En het eeuwige licht verlichte haar, Kapel Heilige Maria der Engelen, Houben F., Mgr. A.H. van Luyn S.D.B., Jan van Adrichem, Max van Rooy, Rotterdam 2004
• Mobility, A Room with a View, Houben, F., L. M. Calabrese (ed.), Rotterdam 2003
• Mecanoo, Bilo, F., Rome 2003
• Mecanoo architecten, 'Holland Avenue, Research Road Atlas; Holland Avenue, Design Road Atlas', Ministry for Transport, Public Works and Water Management, The Hague 2003
• Mecanoo architecten, TU Delft Vastgoed, ING Vastgoed, TU Delft Masterplan, DUP Satellite, Delft 2002
• Composition, Contrast, Complexity, Houben, F., NAi Publishers, Rotterdam 2001 / Birkhauser, Basel, Boston, Berlin 2001
• Maliebaan, een huis om in te werken, Andersson Elffers Felix, Utrecht/ Mecanoo architecten, Houben, F., Delft 2000
• 'Ingenieurskunst en mobiliteitsesthetiek', in: Architectuur en de openbare ruimte, de dynamische delta 2, Ministry for Transport, Public Works and Water Management/ Mecanoo architecten, Houben, F., The Hague 1999
• Mecanoo architecten, Bibliotheek Technische Universiteit Delft, Houben, F., Vollaard, P., Waaijers, L., Rotterdam 1998

Key awards

• Veuve Cliquot Business Woman of the Year Award 2008
• RAIC Award of Excellence of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, 2007
• Dedallo Minosse for Sustainability for FiftyTwoDegrees, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 2008
• Building Quality Award for Montevideo, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2006
• International Highrise Award for Montevideo, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2006
• Dedallo Minosse for Montevideo, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2006
• Dutch Building Prize for the National Heritage Museum, Arnhem, The Netherlands, 2003
• Corus Construction Award for the Millennium for Library Delft Technical University, Delft, The Netherlands, 2000
• City of Rotterdam Building Quality Award 2000 for residential area Nieuw Terbregge, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2000
• Brick Development Association Brick Award for Swimming Pool and Sports Centre het Marnix in Amsterdam