Francine Houben facts for kids
Francine Houben was born on July 2, 1955, in the Netherlands. She is a famous Dutch architect. She studied at the Delft University of Technology and graduated with high honors. Francine is a main founder and creative leader of an architecture company called Mecanoo architecten. Their office is in Delft, Netherlands.
Quick facts for kids
Francine Houben
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Francine Houben, 2015.
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| Born |
Francine Marie Jeanne Houben
2 July 1955 Sittard, Netherlands
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| Nationality | Dutch |
| Alma mater | Faculty of Architecture, Delft University of Technology |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Practice | Mecanoo |
| Buildings | Library of Birmingham, Delft University of Technology Library, Revitalisation Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Amsterdam University College, Delft Railway Station and Municipal Offices, HOME Arts Centre, La Llotja de Lleida, Montevideo Residential Tower, National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts. |
| Projects | 1st Edition International Architecture Biennal Rotterdam |
Contents
What an Architect Does
Francine Houben designs many different kinds of buildings. Her work includes universities, libraries, theaters, homes, museums, and hotels. She combines architecture (designing buildings) with urban planning (designing cities) and landscape architecture (designing outdoor spaces).
Designing for People and Places
Francine believes that good architecture should appeal to all your senses. It's not just about how a building looks. She thinks about how people will use the space. She mixes social, technical, and fun ideas to create unique solutions for each project. Her goal is to make buildings that feel right and connect with people.
Famous Library Designs
Francine Houben and her company are especially known for designing libraries. She believes libraries are very important public buildings. She compares them to cathedrals from long ago.
Key Library Projects
One of her first big library projects was the Delft University of Technology Library in 1997. This led to other major library designs. These include the Library of Birmingham in 2013. Her team also worked on updating the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. They are also involved in renovating parts of the New York Public Library in New York City.
Awards for Her Work
The Library of Birmingham was a very important project. It was even nominated for the Stirling Prize in 2014. This is a big award given by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). In 2014, Architects' Journal named her the Woman Architect of the Year. Francine said that designing the Library of Birmingham was a great honor. She also mentioned that architecture is about teamwork and being both supportive and creative.
Teaching and Recognition
Francine Houben has taught architecture at universities in the Netherlands and other countries. She was a visiting professor at Harvard University in 2007. From 2002 to 2006, she was the City Architect of Almere.
Important Ideas and Honors
In 2001, she wrote a famous book about architecture called 'Composition, Contrast, Complexity'. In 2003, she helped organize the first International Architecture Biennale in Rotterdam. This event focused on how design relates to movement and transportation. In 2010, she became a lifelong member of the Akademie der Künste in Berlin. In 2015, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands gave Francine the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Prize for all her amazing work. She has also given many lectures at universities about her studies and designs.
Selected Projects
Here are some of the notable buildings and projects Francine Houben and Mecanoo have worked on:
- TU Delft Library, Delft (1997)
- Netherlands Open Air Museum, Arnhem (2000)
- Montevideo Residential Tower, Rotterdam (2005)
- La Llotja Theatre and Congress Centre, Lleida (2008)
- Kaap Skil, Maritime and Beachcombers Museum, Texel (2012)
- Amsterdam University College, Amsterdam (2012)
- Library of Birmingham integrated with Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham (2013)
- HOME Arts Centre, Manchester (2015)
- Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building, Boston (2015)
- Municipal Offices and Train Station, Delft, The Netherlands (2015/2017)
- National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung (2018)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library renovation, Washington, D.C. (ongoing)
- New York Public Library Midtown renovation, New York (ongoing)
Gallery
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Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building
Boston, US -
Municipal Offices and Train Station
Delft, Netherlands -
Library of Birmingham
Birmingham, UK -
Kaap Skil, Maritime and Beachcombers Museum
Oudeschild, Netherlands -
Nelson Mandela Park
Amsterdam-Zuidoost, Netherlands -
La Llotja Theatre and Conference Centre
Lleida, Spain -
FiftyTwoDegrees
Nijmegen, Netherlands -
Montevideo Residential Tower
Rotterdam, Netherlands -
Chapel Saint Mary of the Angels
Rotterdam, Netherlands -
Delft University of Technology Library
Delft, Netherlands -
Mekel Park, Delft University of Technology
Delft, Netherlands
Awards and Honours
Francine Houben has received many awards and honors for her contributions to architecture:
- 2001: Honorary Fellowship, Royal Institute of British Architects
- 2007: Honorary Fellowship, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
- 2007: Honorary Fellowship, American Institute of Architects
- 2014: Woman Architect of the Year, Architects' Journal
- 2015: Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Prize
- 2016: Honorary Doctorate, Utrecht University
Other Roles
Francine Houben also holds several important positions:
- Since 2015: Board Member, Society of Arts at Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Since 2010: Member, Akademie der Künste, Architecture Department
- Since 2008: Board Member, Carnegie Foundation
- Since 2005: Supervisory board, Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo
See also
In Spanish: Francine Houben para niños
