Francine Houben

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Francine Houben
International Architecture Biennal Rotterdam

Francine Marie Jeanne Houben (Dutch pronunciation: [frɑnˈsinə maːˈri ˈʒɑnə ˈɦʌubə(n)]; born 2 July 1955)[1] is a Dutch architect. She graduated with cum laude honours from the Delft University of Technology. She is the founding partner and creative director of Mecanoo architecten, based in Delft, The Netherlands.

Work

The oeuvre of Houben's architecture is wide-ranging and includes projects such as universities, libraries, theatres, residential areas, museums and hotels. Houben combines the disciplines of architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture. According to her biography on her firm's website, she "bases her work on precise analysis coupled with an intuition built over three decades [by interweaving] social, technical, playful and human aspects of space-making together in order to create a unique solution to each architectural challenge."[1] Francine strives to design architecture that appeals "to all the senses"[2] and states that "[architecture] is never a (purely) intellectual, conceptual or a visual consideration alone. Architecture is about combining all of the individual elements into a single concept. In the end, what counts is the arrangement of form and emotion. Architecture should touch all the senses."[2] Houben focuses on designing wholesome buildings that cover a large variety of project programs.

Her practice is particularly known for the design of libraries. The library at the

Mid-Manhattan Library and the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building), New York. She has spoken extensively on libraries and public buildings, stating that "libraries are the most important public buildings, like cathedrals were many years ago".[5] She has gained international acclaim for her works, both architecture and written. Her most recent building being the Library of Birmingham (2013), which was one of six buildings shortlisted for the 2014 Stirling Prize awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).[6][7] When Architects' Journal named her as 2014 Woman Architect of the Year, Houben stated: "It was a great privilege to design the Library of Birmingham. Architecture is about teamwork, about being supportive and visionary at the same time. Women are especially good at that."[8]

Francine Houben has held

Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Prize to Houben for her oeuvre.[10] Francine has published books and traveled to numerous universities giving lectures on her studies and practice. Her most recent synopsis is "People, place, purpose, poetry: through these four words Francine Houben illustrates her practice's unique, humanistic approach to architecture."[11]

Selected projects

Gallery

  • Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building Boston, US
    Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building
    Boston, US
  • Municipal Offices and Train Station Delft, Netherlands
    Municipal Offices and Train Station
    Delft, Netherlands
  • Library of Birmingham Birmingham, UK
    Library of Birmingham
    Birmingham, UK
  • Kaap Skil, Maritime and Beachcombers Museum Oudeschild, Netherlands
    Kaap Skil, Maritime and Beachcombers Museum
    Oudeschild, Netherlands
  • Nelson Mandela Park Amsterdam-Zuidoost, Netherlands
    Nelson Mandela Park
    Amsterdam-Zuidoost, Netherlands
  • La Llotja Theatre and Conference Centre Lleida, Spain
    La Llotja Theatre and Conference Centre
    Lleida, Spain
  • FiftyTwoDegrees Nijmegen, Netherlands
    FiftyTwoDegrees
    Nijmegen, Netherlands
  • Montevideo Residential Tower Rotterdam, Netherlands
    Montevideo Residential Tower
    Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • Chapel Saint Mary of the Angels Rotterdam, Netherlands
    Chapel Saint Mary of the Angels
    Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • Delft University of Technology Library Delft, Netherlands
    Delft University of Technology Library
    Delft, Netherlands
  • Mekel Park, Delft University of Technology Delft, Netherlands
    Mekel Park, Delft University of Technology
    Delft, Netherlands

Selected awards and honours

Other functions

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ a b "Francine Houben, Architect/Urbanist". Mecanoo. mecanoo.nl. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
  2. ^ a b "Biography of the architect: Francine Houben Mecanoo". Floornature.com (in Italian). Retrieved 2019-04-12.
  3. ^ "Birmingham City Council". Archived from the original on 2016-04-17. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
  4. ^ DC Public Library
  5. ^ Dezeen
  6. ^ McCarthy, Nick (October 16, 2014; updated October 21, 2014). "RIBA Stirling Prize: Library of Birmingham misses out on award". Birmingham Mail. birminghammail.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-03-08.
  7. ^ "RIBA Stirling Prize Shortlist 2014". RIBA. architecture.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  8. ^ Mark, Laura (February 7, 2014). "Mecanoo's Francine Houben crowned Woman Architect of the Year 2014". Architects' Journal. architectsjournal.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-03-08.
  9. ^ Francine M. J. Houben (Baukunst – Mitglieder)" (in German). Akademie der Künste. adk.de. Retrieved 2018-03-08.
  10. ^ "DAFNE". Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
  11. ^ UCL (2018-11-22). "Francine Houben – Bartlett International Lecture Series". The Bartlett School of Architecture. Retrieved 2019-04-12.

External links

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