Modern architecture is the architectural style that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, based on new technologies, materials, and principles of design. Modern architects rejected historical styles and ornamentation and focused on functionality, simplicity, and rationality. Modern architecture evolved throughout the 20th century, influenced by various social, political, and cultural movements and challenges. In the 21st century, modern architecture has continued to evolve and adapt to the changing needs and demands of society and the environment. One of the architects who have influenced and contributed to the modern architecture of the 21st century is Bjarke Ingels. Bjarke Ingels is a Danish architect who founded the firm BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) in 2005. He is known for his innovative and playful designs that combine sustainability, functionality, and aesthetics. He has developed his own “hedonistic sustainability” brand, meaning that environmental building elements should not be separate but integrated with other building functions. He has also explored new financing models and experimented with innovative design solutions and materials, broadening the scope of architectural practice.
Who is Bjarke Ingels?
Bjarke Ingels is a Danish architect, founder, and creative partner of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). He is known for his innovative and award-winning designs of housing, urban planning, and cultural projects in Denmark and abroad. He has won numerous architectural competitions and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2016. Bjarke Ingels is from Copenhagen, Denmark. He was born on Wednesday, October 2, 1974, in the Danish capital. He grew up in a suburban area and was interested in drawing and comics from an early age. He lived in Copenhagen until he moved to New York in 2010, where he established the BIG office. He also has offices in London and Barcelona. Bjarke Ingels studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen from 1993 to 1998. He also spent a year as an exchange student at the Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura in Barcelona in 1996. He worked for the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in Rotterdam from 1998 to 2001, where he collaborated with Rem Koolhaas. He founded his own firm, PLOT, in 2001 with Julien De Smedt and later founded BIG in 2005. Bjarke Ingels is still alive and active.
What type of architecture is Bjarke Ingels representing?
Bjarke Ingels represents a type of architecture that is innovative, playful, and pragmatic. He calls his approach “yes is more,” in which he tries to find solutions that satisfy multiple constraints and desires rather than compromising or choosing between them. He also calls his style “hedonistic sustainability,” which means that he aims to create environmentally friendly, socially beneficial, and aesthetically pleasing buildings. He does not follow a fixed style but adapts his designs to the user’s context and needs. He is influenced by various sources, such as comics, movies, games, and science fiction. He often uses simple geometric forms, such as cubes, pyramids, and spheres, and transforms them into complex and dynamic structures. He also uses diagrams and models to communicate his ideas clearly and convincingly.
What is Bjarke Ingels’s great accomplishment?
Bjarke Ingels’s great accomplishment is his innovative and influential architecture that combines sustainability, functionality, and aesthetics. He has designed many remarkable buildings and projects around the world, such as the CopenHill power plant and ski slope in Copenhagen, the VIA 57 West pyramid-shaped residential tower in New York, the LEGO House in Billund, and the Toyota Woven City in Japan. He has also won many prestigious awards and recognitions, such as the European Prize for Architecture in 2010, the Wall Street Journal Innovator of the Year Award in 2011, and the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world in 2016.
What is Bjarke Ingels’s most important work?
Bjarke Ingels is one of the most influential and innovative architects of the 21st century. He has designed many remarkable buildings and projects around the world that combine sustainability, functionality, and aesthetics.
1. CopenHill Energy Plant
CopenHill, also known as Amager Bakke, is a waste-to-energy plant that functions as a ski slope and a recreational facility in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is an example of Ingels’ concept of hedonistic sustainability, which means that environmental building elements should not be separate but integrated with other building functions. The plant is one of the cleanest in the world, as it converts 440,000 tons(485,000 short tons) of waste per year into electricity and heating for 150,000 homes. The plant also features a 400-meter(1,312-foot) long ski slope on its roof, which is accessible by an elevator. The slope is covered with a synthetic material that mimics snow. It also has a hiking trail, a climbing wall, and a rooftop bar. The plant is a landmark for Copenhagen, as it also has a 124-meter(406-foot) high chimney that releases a steam ring for every ton of carbon dioxide emitted.
2. VIA 57 West
VIA 57 West is a New York residential tower shaped like a pyramid with a cut-out courtyard. It is inspired by the hybrid typology of the Copenhagen courtyard and the New York skyscraper, creating a new form of urban living. The tower has 709 apartments, ranging from studios to four-bedroom units. It also has a variety of amenities, such as a pool, a fitness center, a library, a lounge, and a golf simulator. The courtyard is a green oasis for the residents, with trees, plants, and benches. The tower also has a sloping facade that reflects the sunlight and the views of the Hudson River.
3. LEGO House
LEGO House is a cultural center and museum celebrating the toy brand LEGO in Billund, Denmark. It is designed as a stack of LEGO bricks with different colors and functions. The house has four zones that represent different aspects of learning and playing with LEGO: red for creative, blue for cognitive, green for social, and yellow for emotional. The house also has a history collection, a gallery of LEGO creations, and a LEGO store. It also has a public square, a playground, and a rooftop terrace that is open to everyone. The house is a tribute to the LEGO philosophy of learning through play and invites visitors to unleash their imagination.
4. Toyota Woven City
Toyota Woven City is a master plan for a futuristic city focused on advancing mobility and technology in Susono, Japan. It is a collaboration between Toyota and BIG, and it is designed as a living laboratory for researchers, engineers, and scientists. The city is powered by hydrogen fuel cells, and it has three types of streets: one for fast vehicles, one for low-speed personal mobility, and one for pedestrians. It also has a central plaza, a park, and a network of underground tunnels for logistics. The city comprises wooden buildings made with robotic production methods and photovoltaic panels on their roofs. It also has smart homes equipped with AI and robotics that can monitor the health and needs of the residents.
5. MÉCA
MÉCA is a cultural center that houses three institutions: the FRAC (Regional Fund for Contemporary Art), the OARA (Regional Office of Cultural Affairs), and the ECLA (Agency for Books, Cinema and Audiovisual) in Bordeaux, France. It is designed as a loop of cultural and public spaces that connects the city and the river. The loop is divided into two parts: one lifted up to create a public plaza, and one pushed down to create an outdoor amphitheater. It also has a large opening that frames the view of the river and the city. The loop contains exhibition spaces, offices, auditoriums, and a restaurant. The loop is covered with perforated aluminum panels that create a dynamic pattern of light and shadow.
How did Bjarke Ingels contribute to architecture?
Bjarke Ingels contributed to architecture by creating innovative and playful designs that combine sustainability, functionality, and aesthetics. He developed his own “hedonistic sustainability” brand, meaning that environmental building elements should not be separate but integrated with other building functions. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in 2016.
Did Bjarke Ingels change the architecture industry?
Yes, Bjarke Ingels changed the architecture industry. He explored new financing models and experimented with innovative design solutions and materials, broadening the scope of architectural practice. He also integrated popular media and new technology into his marketing campaigns, communicating his ideas clearly and convincingly. He also adapted his designs to the user’s context and needs, creating diverse and dynamic structures.
Was Bjarke Ingels ever controversial in any way?
Yes, Bjarke Ingels was controversial and faced criticism and backlash for some of his projects, statements, and actions. Firstly, he was accused of greenwashing and lacking a moral compass for meeting with Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right leader of Brazil, who has a record of environmental destruction and human rights violations. Secondly, he was criticized for posting a photo of his 12 partners, 11 of whom were male, on Instagram with the caption “BIG BOYS&GIRL”. He was seen as insensitive and defensive about the gender imbalance in his firm and the architecture industry. Lastly, he was questioned about his involvement with Nabr, a housing startup that claimed to revolutionize the housing sector but was vague about its product and business model. He was also challenged for his role as a chief architect for WeWork, a troubled office space company.
Who are the most famous architects in modern history besides Bjarke Ingels?
There are many famous architects in modern history besides Bjarke Ingels. The 49 Architects are a group of architects who have been selected by the Architecture Foundation as the most influential and innovative in the UK. They are divided into four categories: Established, Mid-Career, Emerging, and Ones to Watch. Firstly, the established are architects who have been practicing for more than 20 years and have achieved international recognition and awards. Some of them are David Adjaye, who designed the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.; Alison Brooks, who designed the Accordia housing development in Cambridge, which won the Stirling Prize in 2008; and Norman Foster, who designed the Gherkin, the Millennium Bridge, and the Wembley Stadium in London. Secondly, the mid-career is an architect who has been practicing for 10 to 20 years and has established a strong reputation and portfolio. Some of them are Amanda Levete, who designed the MAAT museum in Lisbon, Portugal; Sadie Morgan, who co-founded dRMM, which designed the Hastings Pier, which won the Stirling Prize in 2017; and Alex de Rijke, who is known for his innovative use of timber, such as the Endless Stair installation at the London Design Festival in 2013. Thirdly, emerging architects are those who have been practicing for less than 10 years and have shown great potential and talent. Some of them are Asif Khan, who designed the Coca-Cola Beatbox Pavilion at the London Olympics in 2012; Mary Duggan, who founded Mary Duggan Architects, which designed the Garden Museum in London; and David Kohn, who designed the Skyroom, a rooftop pavilion at the Architecture Foundation in London.
Lastly, the ones to watch are the top architects who have graduated from architecture schools in the UK in the last five years and have demonstrated exceptional skills and vision. Some of them are Jack Richards, who designed the Floating Church, a mobile boat that can host religious and community events; Hikaru Nissanke, who co-founded OMMX, which designed the House of Trace, a house extension that preserves the memory of the original structure; and Sarah Izod, who designed the Liminal Space, a pavilion that explores the concept of thresholds and transitions.
What did Bjarke Ingels mostly design?
Bjarke Ingels mostly designed innovative and sustainable architectural projects. His designs encompass a wide range of structures, including residential buildings, cultural centers, office complexes, and urban development plans. Ingels focuses on creating functional spaces that prioritize the needs of users while incorporating elements of sustainability and nature. He is known for his use of unconventional and visually striking design concepts, often pushing the boundaries of traditional architecture.
Where did Bjarke Ingels study?
Bjarke Ingels studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen from 1993 to 1998. He also spent a year as an exchange student at the Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura in Barcelona in 1996. He worked for the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in Rotterdam from 1998 to 2001, where he collaborated with Rem Koolhaas.
Did Bjarke Ingels have any famous teachers or students?
Yes, Bjarke Ingels had some famous teachers and students. He worked for Rem Koolhaas, a renowned Dutch architect and urbanist, at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in Rotterdam from 1998 to 2001. He collaborated with Koolhaas on several projects, such as the Seattle Central Library and the Prada Transformer. He also learned from Koolhaas’s provocative and critical approach to architecture. He also taught at various prestigious schools, such as the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the Yale School of Architecture, and the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. Some of his former students include David Basulto, the founder and editor-in-chief of ArchDaily, and Shohei Shigematsu, the partner, and director of OMA New York.
How can students learn from Bjarke Ingels’s work?
Students can learn from Bjarke Ingels’s work by studying his architectural designs and approach to urban planning. By examining Ingels’s projects, such as the 8 House in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Via 57 West in New York City, USA, future architecture students, and present students can gain insights into his innovative use of sustainable materials, incorporating nature and emphasis on functionality. They can analyze his designs to understand how he creates dynamic and efficient spaces that prioritize the needs of users. Students can learn from Ingels’s collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to architecture, which involves considering social, environmental, and economic factors.
