Bjarke Ingels: 3 warp-speed architecture tales

Summary

This engaging talk explores the evolution of architectural ideas, advocating for a process of adaptation and improvisation rather than revolution. Using the concept of 'Yes is More,' the speaker challenges the traditional notion of radical architectural breaks, focusing instead on the evolution of design through real-world circumstances. Through examples like the Copenhagen library tower, the Danish Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo, and the 'Mountain' project, the speaker demonstrates how architecture can bridge cultures, improve sustainability, and create value by blending functionality with beauty. The talk presents a fresh perspective on architecture as a dynamic and evolving practice.

Takeaways

• 😀 The public debate on architecture often focuses on the final product, rather than the process behind it.
• 😀 The creators of the project adopted a comic book format to tell the story behind architectural projects, using images, drawings, and words.
• 😀 'Yes is More' is a concept that questions the negative definition of architectural avant-garde, advocating for evolution through adaptation and improvisation.
• 😀 The architectural design process is compared to Darwin's evolutionary tree, with designs evolving through generations of ideas, similar to natural selection.
• 😀 An example of architectural evolution is a project for a library and hotel in Copenhagen, where the design evolved over time through adaptation.
• 😀 Projects are kept as an archive of 'architectural biodiversity,' where ideas that didn’t work in one context might be useful in another.
• 😀 The Danish National Pavilion for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai was designed with a focus on sustainability and improving the quality of life, using bikes and clean harbor water.
• 😀 Cultural exchange between Denmark and China was explored through the use of iconic symbols like the Little Mermaid and bicycles, which created a unique pavilion experience.
• 😀 Sustainability was presented not as something that sacrifices enjoyment but as a way to enhance life quality, as shown in the Danish pavilion with the integration of bikes and clean water.
• 😀 The Mountain project in Copenhagen turned traditional apartments and parking into a mixed-use architectural marvel that offers both suburban lifestyle and metropolitan views.
• 😀 A project in Azerbaijan was designed to transform a desert island into a green, sustainable, and carbon-neutral ecosystem, using the imagery and functionality of mountains.

Q & A

What inspired the idea of creating a comic book to tell the story behind architectural projects?

The inspiration came from the desire to move beyond simply contemplating the final architectural result, such as buildings like the 'gherkin' or 'sausage.' The creators realized that a comic book format already existed and could be used to tell the evolving stories of architectural projects, blending images, drawings, and words.

How does the comic book 'Yes is More' relate to architectural philosophy?

'Yes is More' is an evolution of the idea 'Less is More,' originally proposed by Mies van der Rohe. The comic seeks to challenge the notion that avant-garde architecture is defined solely by opposition. Instead, it emphasizes the idea of gradual evolution, adaptation, and improvisation in the design process.

How does the speaker compare their design process to Darwin's theory of evolution?

The speaker compares their design process to Darwin's evolutionary tree, where ideas evolve through multiple 'generations' of design meetings. Ideas are tested, modified, and refined, with only the best surviving. This 'architectural selection' results in designs that are constantly adapting and evolving over time.

What role does 'biodiversity' play in the design process?

The speaker describes their office as an 'archive of architectural biodiversity,' meaning they keep all ideas, even those that don't work in a specific context, because they might be useful in the future or for different clients or cultures.

What is the significance of the 'People's Building' design for the World Expo in Shanghai?

The 'People's Building' was a project designed after the architects noticed a resemblance between the building and the Chinese character for 'people.' The design became symbolic of a bridge between China’s ancient wisdom and its modern future, as explained by the mayor of Shanghai.

What does the speaker think about sustainability in architecture?

The speaker critiques the common view that sustainability in architecture must be uncomfortable or difficult. They aim to focus on examples where sustainability actually enhances the quality of life, using design ideas that are not just about reducing impact but also about increasing enjoyment and comfort.

What connection does the speaker draw between Denmark and China in the context of the World Expo?

The speaker highlights cultural and symbolic connections between Denmark and China, such as the shared fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen and the comparison between Denmark’s national bird, the swan, and China’s dragon. These connections were used to create a pavilion that integrated Danish culture into the Chinese context.

Why was the Little Mermaid statue central to the Danish pavilion at the World Expo?

The Little Mermaid statue symbolized Denmark and was placed in the Danish pavilion as a focal point. The pavilion aimed to showcase the beauty and sustainability of Copenhagen through direct experiences, like inviting visitors to swim in the harbor water or use Danish bicycles.

What was the controversy surrounding the Little Mermaid statue and its relocation?

There was political resistance in Denmark when it was proposed that the Little Mermaid statue be relocated to China. This led to debates in the Danish parliament, where the statue’s relocation became a hot topic amid broader political discussions about the Danish economy.

How did the speaker approach designing the 'Mountain' project in Copenhagen?

The 'Mountain' project was designed as a combination of apartments and parking, where apartments were placed on top of a podium of cars. The design aimed to create a suburban feel in an urban setting, with a focus on incorporating nature and green space, using sustainable techniques like rainwater harvesting and a green facade.