BIG was originally founded by Bjarke Ingels in Copenhagen, Denmark, and has quickly become one of the most progressive and sought-after firms in the world. BIG takes contemporary architecture to the next level by incorporating ideas in social infrastructure and sustainable practices and producing buildings that may look a little crazy, but they work!
Below I have posted a video that BIG produced with Crane TV explaining his process behind their architectural manifesto graphic "comic book" and his ideas about why Yes is More.
"Historically, architecture has been dominated by two opposing extremes: an avant-garde full of crazy ideas, originating from philosophy or mysticism; and the well organized corporate consultants that build predictable and boring boxes of high standard. Architecture seems entrenched: naively utopian or petrifyingly pragmatic. We believe there is a third way between these diametric opposites: a pragmatic utopian architecture that creates socially, economically and environmentally perfect places as a practical objective. At BIG we are devoted to investing in the overlap between radical and reality. In all our actions we try to move the focus from the little details to the BIG picture."
I find his ideas of design fascinating. The idea of what one can create when only saying yes! Making even the craziest ideas work and work well. I also love his devotion to creating sustainable and multi-use environments and buildings that make people excited about design. All design should be happy! He makes a very important point at the end of the video. Ideas are meant to be shared and interpreted by others. This is the only way to make an idea great and to help it evolve! I sometimes am hesitant to share ideas with people thinking that I may "give away" my next big idea, but really, it's all just inspiring others to think.
Photo courtesy of TASCHEN.
