“I don’t have this sense of letting go or parting so much, when I design a building,” says Scheeren. “I never design it for myself to begin with. I design it for the people that will ultimately own it, or inhabit it or work in it, or live in it.”
Design Philosophy
Ole Scheeren’s designs reflect a strong commitment to the people who interact with his structures. Every project emphasizes a connection to community and functionality, which is paramount in architectural practice today.
Notable Works
Nicknamed ‘big pants’ by the locals, Beijing’s CCTV tower houses China’s Central Television station. Designed in conjunction with Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, the building punctuates the skyline of the city’s CBD.The Interlace, a residential complex in Singapore, was named World Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival in 2015.Renowned British architect Peter Cook — who was one of the jury that decided the award — called the building a ‘game changer.’ ‘The Interlace makes a major urban statement (and) gives you a horizontal city,’ he said.The ‘Collaborative Cloud’ was designed as the new headquarters for one of the largest digital publishing houses in Europe and consists of flexible and informal work spaces.
The Vision of MahaNakhon
Ole Scheeren’s MahaNakhon will be the tallest skyscraper to punctuate Bangkok’s skyline when it is completed at the end of the year.Based on the shape of an extruded square, the building’s central tower rises up and connects a large number of small-scale geometric extrusions to create the image of an unfinished building, or a Jenga game in progress.
International Contributions
Although much of his work is in Asia, Scheeren designed this residential mixed-use high-rise in Vancouver, Canada. The building design is intended to incorporate horizontal living into a slender tower.Scheeren doesn’t just transform skylines. This floating Archipelago Cinema was designed for Thailand’s Film on the Rocks Festival in 2012.Guests were taken by boat to the floating cinema — a modular structure assembled on the waters of Nai Pi Lae lagoon, Kudu Island — and watched a film that was projected onto a screen built into the rocks.
Art and Culture Integration
A combined art museum and auction house, the Guardian Art Center will be completed in 2017 near Beijing’s famed Forbidden City. The hybrid space, designed for China’s oldest art auction house, will also include several restaurants and a 120-room hotel.
Legacy and Impact
Ole Scheeren’s approach to architecture is defined by innovation, a commitment to community, and an intent to inspire. His projects are not just structures; they are transformative spaces that enhance the urban environment.
