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Mecanoo architecten: The Latest Architecture and News

Mecanoo, Martinez + Johnson Selected to Redesign Mies' MLK Memorial Library

Mecanoo, Martinez + Johnson Selected to Redesign Mies' MLK Memorial Library - Refurbishment
© Mecanoo with Martinez + Johnson Architecture


Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray has named Mecanoo architecten and Martinez + Johnson Architecture winners of a competition to reinvent Mies van der Rohe’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - the only library and D.C. building ever designed by the legendary architect. The Netherlands- and D.C.-based team aims to resurrect the neglected building by improving "Mies in a contemporary Miesian way." This includes opening up the boxy interiors to enhance flow and increase natural light and, most dramatically, sculpting two rooftop terraces by topping the historic landmark structure with a four-story, mixed-use addition.

Mecanoo's Francesco Veenstra on "Sustainability as Social Responsibility"

Francesco Veenstra, one of six partners at the Dutch practice Mecanoo and Lead Architect on a number of major projects in the United Kingdom, recently spoke to Mies. UK about the practice's approach to design and their unique take on sustainability. Having recently completed a major public building in Birmingham (which was put to the vote and won the AJ's 2013 Building of the Year), and with more in the pipeline, the practice's international outlook is growing. How has the practice's design methodology and core ideas influenced this success? Read more after the break.

Shortlist announced for West Kowloon Cultural District’s first Arts Venue

Shortlist announced for West Kowloon Cultural District’s first Arts Venue - Featured Image
West Kowloon Cultural District site © Foster + Partners by Methanoia

The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) has announced five design teams invited to submit proposals for the Xiqu Center, which will be the first landmark building within Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District. Serving as the main theatre and Team House, the Xiqu Center will form the gateway into the £1.7bn, Foster-designed masterplan once it is complete towards the end of 2015.

Mr. Louis Yu, Executive Director, Performing Arts stated, “There has been a fantastic response to our plans for the Xiqu Centre from design teams from across the world. We are working hard to find the right team to work with to fulfill our ambitions. The shortlisted teams will meet with representatives of the Chinese opera artform, engaging with stakeholders so we can conceive together a world-class building for Hong Kong and for the development and promotion of this important form of Chinese cultural heritage.”

The five shortlisted teams are:

Kaap Skil, Maritime and Beachcombers’ Museum Wins Daylight Award 2012 / Mecanoo Architecten

Kaap Skil, Maritime and Beachcombers’ Museum Wins Daylight Award 2012 / Mecanoo Architecten - Featured Image
Courtesy of Mecanoo Architecten

This year’s Daylight Award, a prestigious prize awarded by the Living Daylights Foundation that honors projects that reach an optimum result in combining daylight, artificial light and design, has been given to the Kaap Skil, Maritime and Beachcombers’ Museum on the Dutch island of Texl. Designed by Mecanoo Architecten, one can almost feel the weather because of the transparency of the building, according to the jury. “Sun, clouds, thunder and rain: outdoors comes inside as perception and emotion and this is a core quality for a building with the Wadden Sea at your doorstep.” More images and architects’ description after the break.

Dutch Mountains / Francine Houben / Mecanoo Architecten

Dutch Mountains / Francine Houben / Mecanoo Architecten - Image 1 of 4

We are pleased to bring attention to the book Dutch Mountains that focuses on Francine Houben from Mecanoo Architecten and her inspiring work that spans the globe. We have featured Mecanoo Architecten before and you can see them here. Houben came to architecture like many great young architects who are driven by social idealism. “Uplifting the people, contributing to quality of life—that was the great goal.” Among being named Business Woman of the Year in Netherlands in 2008, Houben still works for social idealism. Houben says about her Birmingham library, “I want to create cohesion among the ethnic diversity of the city and the traces of its industrial past.”

Video: The Library of Birmingham Timelapse

Opening in 2013, the Library of Birmingham will be a major new cultural destination, rewriting the book for 21st century public libraries. Designed by international architects Mecanoo, the Library of Birmingham will be located in the city’s Centenary Square. Recently, the author of the architectural videos blog shared with us his time lapse video of the building.

'From Crèche to Campus – Mecanoo’s Educational Buildings, Present and Future' Exhibition

'From Crèche to Campus – Mecanoo’s Educational Buildings, Present and Future' Exhibition - Image 4 of 4
Courtesy of Mecanoo Architecten

On Thursday 29 September 2011 at 6:15 pm Jan Nieuwenburg, councillor of education in the city of Haarlem, will open the exhibition, ‘From Crèche to Campus – Mecanoo’s educational buildings, present and future’ in the ABC Architecture Centre in Haarlem, the Netherlands. This exhibition presents the educational buildings designed by Mecanoo Architecten analysed and placed in perspective against the backdrop of changes in society, ideas about education and the status of schools. The exhibition is open until November 27th. More information on the exhibition after the break.