Coming soon! Mecanoo

The initial idea for a publication on Mecanoo's oeuvre covered 200 pages. It soon turned out that this would never be enough to capture the extensive oeuvre of this internationally acclaimed architecture firm. After working on this book for over three years, Mecanoo finally presents this long-awaited publication, which grew into a 500-page big monograph. The timing is perfect, as Mecanoo is celebrating an anniversary this year and can look back on four decades of architectural masterpieces with this comprehensive overview. 

About the book

The internationally renowned architecture office Mecanoo, led by Francine Houben and partners, creates buildings that evoke emotion and magic. Mecanoo’s projects are ‘spatial poems’ that transform everyday places into humane architecture that touches all the senses. 

Mecanoo’s ability to transform manifests in a surprising range of designs including the world-famous New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, the futuristic theatre complex in Kaohsiung, Delft Railway Station and City Hall, mixed-use tower Montevideo in Rotterdam, the Manchester Engineering Campus Development with its wide range of educational spaces and labs, De Nederlandsche Bank in Amsterdam, and even a national park and a chapel. Including texts and stories by the celebrated architecture critic Herbert Wright, stunning photography and inspiring illustrations, this publication provides a comprehensive portrait of one of the world’s most extraordinary architecture offices to date. Mecanoo brings over 40 years of poetry to architecture.

The launch

During the book launch on Friday December 8th at 20:00 at Pakhuis de Zwijger, Francine Houben herself will take the audience through the history and future of this world-renowned architecture firm. Join moderator Sandra Rottenberg in conversation with Francine, the Mecanoo partners, clients and administrators about the challenges society is facing and Mecanoo's vision on the role of the architect.