Liste des projets

Francine Houben

  • Site : mecanoo.nl
  • Adresse : Oude Delft 203, 2611 HD Delft, the Netherlands 2611HD Delft
"Architecture must appeal to all the senses. Architecture is never a purely intellectual, conceptual, or visual game alone. Architecture is about combining all the individual elements into a single concept. What counts in the end is the arrangement of form and emotion." Francine Houben (b. 1955) began to formulate the three fundamental concepts of her architectural vision whilst studying at the Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. Designing primarily for People, constructing spaces that are relevant to Place, and forging connections that give a building Purpose have remained consistent, underlying values to Mecanoo’s practice over the past three decades. Always seeking inspiration in the details of specific sites and locations, Francine bases her work on precise analysis coupled with an intuition built over three decades. She interweaves social, technical, playful and human aspects of space-making together in order to create a unique solution to each architectural challenge. Francine combines the disciplines of architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture in an untraditional way, with a profound sensitivity for light and beauty. Her use of materials, which often contrast in a complementary way, are the sum total of her creative expression.

Library of Birmingham

More than just a building, the Library of Birmingham (LoB) designed by Mecanoo is a People’s Palace, a centre for learning, information and culture that unites people of all ages and backgrounds. The design extends the space of the street indoors.

A cantilevered volume not only provides shelter at the entrance, but also serves as a grand balcony with a discovery garden. The circular courtyard cut out of the square is a protected outdoor space that invites daylight deep into the building.

Visitors move from one floor to the next through interconnected and overlapping rotundas that provide natural light and ventilation. Ever-changing vistas unfold through the delicate filigree skin of interlocking circles, inspired by the tradition of metalwork in this former industrial city.The prominent golden rooftop rotunda houses the Shakespeare Memorial Room from 1882.
Situated between the concrete Repertory Theatre (REP) from 1962 and the listed Baskerville House from 1936, the LoB transforms the largest public square in the heart of the city with three distinct realms for history, culture and entertainment.

At 35,000 m², the LoB welcomed over 2.7 million visitors in the first twelve months.

New workshops, staff accommodation and a 300-seat auditorium with foyer are shared by both the library and the integrated and renovated REP. The library attained a BREEAM excellent rating.

Illustration