Information Based Architecture
Encyclopedia
Information Based Architecture (IBA) was originally set up in London in 1998 as a partnership between architects Mark Hemel
and Barbara Kuit
. Using the newest technologies the practice challenges conventional thinking and seeks to exploit new opportunities to enrich our cities with conceptually interesting, and well thought through environmentally responsible architecture.
IBA’s name is translated into Chinese as; 信基. (xin 4) (ji 1): meaning trustworthy architecture founded on information.
The practice specializes in large-scale architectural and urban projects. Having won several high profile competitions, the most famous one being the design for the Canton Tower also called the Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower
. This project is generally recognised as one of the most complex projects in the world today.
"In contemporary architecture you see lots of forms that refer to nothing. And indeed, we want to make designs that are more 'informed'. At the same time, it could be anything. It’s a sort of biological process; you plant a seed that contains an awful lot of information. That seed then grows into something that is not determined in advance.
archined interview with the architects Mark hemel + Barbara Kuit
architectenweb article in dutch on design of Guangzhou TV Tower
Currently based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, IBA continues its work on both large and small projects in Europe and Asia. The work includes urban master-planning, architecture, landscaping and furniture design.
teaches at the Architectural Association in London where he has been Unit-master since 1999, and a design tutor in the Environment & Energy Program. Before setting up practice, Barbara Kuit worked as a local architect (Harper McKay) on projects of Philippe Starck in London; (the Sanderson and St Martin’s Lane hotels), and subsequently worked for several years for Zaha Hadid on many projects among which; the Mind Zone in the Millennium Dome, London, the Contemporary Arts Center in Rome and Wolfsburg Science Center in Germany.
In 2004, an Information Based Architecture's most important project to date is the design for the Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower
.
Mark Hemel
has taught at the Architectural Association in London where he has been Unit-master since 1999. Before setting up practice, Barbara Kuit
worked as a local architect on two projects of Philippe Starck in London; the Sanderson and St Martin’s Lane hotels, and subsequently worked at the office of Zaha Hadid for several years on many projects among which; the Mind Zone in the Millennium Dome, the Contemporary Arts Center in Rome and Wolfsburg Science Center.
Mark Hemel
Mark Hemel is a Dutch architect and designer, and co-founder of the Amsterdam based architectural practise Information Based Architecture .- Mark Hemel's View :...
and Barbara Kuit
Barbara Kuit
Barbara Kuit is an architect. In 1998, together with her partner Mark Hemel, Kuit founded Information Based Architecture .IBA has won some of the most prestigious international competitions among which the competition for the world’s tallest TV tower, the Canton Tower, formerly known as the...
. Using the newest technologies the practice challenges conventional thinking and seeks to exploit new opportunities to enrich our cities with conceptually interesting, and well thought through environmentally responsible architecture.
IBA’s name is translated into Chinese as; 信基. (xin 4) (ji 1): meaning trustworthy architecture founded on information.
The practice specializes in large-scale architectural and urban projects. Having won several high profile competitions, the most famous one being the design for the Canton Tower also called the Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower
Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower
Canton Tower, formerly Guangzhou TV astronomical and Sightseeing Tower, is an observation tower in the Haizhu District of Guangzhou, historically known as Canton or Kwangchow, Guangdong, China. Topping out of the tower was in 2009 and it became operational on 29 September 2010 for the 2010 Asian...
. This project is generally recognised as one of the most complex projects in the world today.
Vision
IBA can be typified as both ‘experimental’ and ‘progressive’. It constantly attempts to extend the boundaries of artistic design, while also introducing the newest digital technologies. The work was published and exhibited widely. In 2002 they were short listed for the Young Architects of the Year Award in the United Kingdom. They have received support by the Dutch Department of Trade and Industry and received several encouragement-grants by the Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture."In contemporary architecture you see lots of forms that refer to nothing. And indeed, we want to make designs that are more 'informed'. At the same time, it could be anything. It’s a sort of biological process; you plant a seed that contains an awful lot of information. That seed then grows into something that is not determined in advance.
archined interview with the architects Mark hemel + Barbara Kuit
architectenweb article in dutch on design of Guangzhou TV Tower
Currently based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, IBA continues its work on both large and small projects in Europe and Asia. The work includes urban master-planning, architecture, landscaping and furniture design.
Partners
Mark HemelMark Hemel
Mark Hemel is a Dutch architect and designer, and co-founder of the Amsterdam based architectural practise Information Based Architecture .- Mark Hemel's View :...
teaches at the Architectural Association in London where he has been Unit-master since 1999, and a design tutor in the Environment & Energy Program. Before setting up practice, Barbara Kuit worked as a local architect (Harper McKay) on projects of Philippe Starck in London; (the Sanderson and St Martin’s Lane hotels), and subsequently worked for several years for Zaha Hadid on many projects among which; the Mind Zone in the Millennium Dome, London, the Contemporary Arts Center in Rome and Wolfsburg Science Center in Germany.
Main achievements
IBA was shortlisted in 2002 for the Young Architects of the Year Award in the United Kingdom. In 2003 and 2004 the office received a scholarship for research from the Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture.In 2004, an Information Based Architecture's most important project to date is the design for the Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower
Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower
Canton Tower, formerly Guangzhou TV astronomical and Sightseeing Tower, is an observation tower in the Haizhu District of Guangzhou, historically known as Canton or Kwangchow, Guangdong, China. Topping out of the tower was in 2009 and it became operational on 29 September 2010 for the 2010 Asian...
.
Mark Hemel
Mark Hemel
Mark Hemel is a Dutch architect and designer, and co-founder of the Amsterdam based architectural practise Information Based Architecture .- Mark Hemel's View :...
has taught at the Architectural Association in London where he has been Unit-master since 1999. Before setting up practice, Barbara Kuit
Barbara Kuit
Barbara Kuit is an architect. In 1998, together with her partner Mark Hemel, Kuit founded Information Based Architecture .IBA has won some of the most prestigious international competitions among which the competition for the world’s tallest TV tower, the Canton Tower, formerly known as the...
worked as a local architect on two projects of Philippe Starck in London; the Sanderson and St Martin’s Lane hotels, and subsequently worked at the office of Zaha Hadid for several years on many projects among which; the Mind Zone in the Millennium Dome, the Contemporary Arts Center in Rome and Wolfsburg Science Center.