Mecanoo

Design Unveiled: The Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum Ensemble With the final design for the renovation of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, the Gemeente Rotterdam, the museum, and Mecanoo take an important step towards the future of a Rotterdam icon. Now presented to the city council, the project enters its next phase. The new Boijmans Van Beuningen museum ensemble unites three heritage buildings with Mecanoo’s contemporary additions to form one cohesive whole. At its heart lies the Buitenhof, an open-air exhibition space accessible through the original Van der Steur gate. This flexible courtyard, framed by Van der Steur’s distinctive brickwork and a new transparent façade known as the Connector, becomes the museum’s main entrance and links directly to the Bodon wing. At its centre, the Rotunda, a sunken circular patio, brings daylight into the entrance hall, where a generous and elegant staircase guides visitors down into the museum. The Binnenhof, now covered by a refined glass roof inspired by Van der Steur’s dome, creates an energy-efficient, light-filled room for exhibitions and events. The former Van Beuningen–De Vriese Pavilion will be transformed into a restaurant overlooking the sculpture garden and reflecting pool, while a new exhibition space for emerging artists on the corner of the Westersingel will further open the museum to the city. For residents and visitors alike, the renewed Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen will be a place where all generations and cultures come together. From monumental artworks to informal street art and pop-up events, Rotterdam will soon welcome a museum that celebrates creativity, heritage, and civic pride. Read more at https://bit.ly/4oavi6a

We’re excited to share that Arne J. Lijbers, Partner Architect, and Lydia Giokari, Architect and Director of Research at Mecanoo will be part of the Workspace Design Show Amsterdam at RAI, Hall 5, from 5–6 November. Arne and Lydia will join the discussion “Case Study: Mecanoo and De Nederlandsche Bank” on 5 November, 11:25–12:10h, together with Maarten Van Gestel, DNB’s Manager Workplace Services. Under the topic “Activating the Senses”. Mecanoo also designed one of the stages for the Workplace Experience Talks, shaping the environment where many of these inspiring conversations will unfold. Designed with intentionally ambiguous borders, the pavilion invites interaction and curiosity. It blurs the lines between inside and outside, formal and informal, encouraging spontaneous engagement from every angle – more about the design coming soon! Hear from workplace leaders on how to create engaging and experiential environments for employees. Across 12 panel discussions and over 45 speakers, topics will range from boosting occupancy rates and building belonging, to sensory design, human connection, and the evolving role of the office. Register now at https://lnkd.in/ds-S22Du

Lawson Centre for Sustainability wins at the Holcim Foundation Awards 2025! We are proud to share that the Lawson Centre for Sustainability at Trinity College, University of Toronto, has been named a North America winner in the Holcim Foundation Awards 2025. The Awards recognise twenty projects worldwide that advance sustainable design and construction, with regional Grand Prizes to be revealed in Venice on 20 November 2025. Designed by Mecanoo with RDH Architects Inc., the Lawson Centre for Sustainability is a hybrid mass timber, steel and concrete building that targets LEED Platinum and CaGBC Zero Carbon. High-performance envelope strategies, geothermal, on-site renewables and rainwater harvesting work together with generous daylight, views to nature and exposed timber interiors. The project strengthens Trinity’s collegiate life while reducing environmental impact. Our congratulations go to all fellow laureates across Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and North America, whose work showcases best practice in resilient, low-carbon and socially inclusive design. Read more at https://bit.ly/4nv6jsZ University of Toronto - University of Trinity College Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction

We’re proud to share that the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will open its doors to the public on 22 November, located in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District. Designed by Mecanoo, the 35,000-square-metre museum will be the largest of its kind in the region. It offers an immersive journey through 13.8 billion years of natural history: from the Big Bang and the formation of the solar system to the evolution of life on Earth. For the first time, this universal story is presented through an Arabian lens, highlighting the region’s unique contribution to our planet’s narrative. The museum aims to connect visitors with the natural world and inspire new generations to explore, question, and help shape a more sustainable future. More to come soon – watch this space! Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) Abu Dhabi Media Office Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi

Brink Tower Amsterdam - A New Standard for Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Living Mecanoo’s Brink Tower design in Amsterdam is rising rapidly and is on schedule to welcome students and young professionals for the next academic year. Rising 90 meters high, Brink Tower is set to become a new sustainable landmark in Amsterdam. The energy-neutral tower will offer over 400 units for students, young professionals, and social housing, complemented by commercial and community spaces. Brink Tower will be a vibrant place where both residents and the neighbourhood can come together. This striking new energy-neutral tower is a great example of modern, sustainable construction, using prefabricated elements that make the process faster, more efficient, and with a lower environmental impact. Once complete, Brink Tower will offer high-quality, affordable housing in one of the city’s most dynamic districts. This project combines comfort, community, and sustainability in one place. Curious to learn more about the unique construction process of the tower? Take a look at the preview below or click the link to watch this new landmark in Amsterdam take shape: https://lnkd.in/e8WQvJw9 Mecanoo, Xior Student Housing, DubbeLL - Buurtontwikkelaars, Cordeel Group, Ymere, City of Amsterdam Video by Stijn Poelstra

“Design in Dialogue: Tools that Shape our Thinking” 5. Artificial Intelligence in Representation: Today, Artificial Intelligence is becoming part of our representational toolbox, joining hand sketches, graphic abstractions, and carefully crafted renders. It allows us to generate visual concepts swiftly, explore atmospheric variations, and even reimagine composition through a different kind of lens. But technology demands authorship. As we shared in Archinect’s “In-Depth: How Mecanoo Delivers on Architectural Renders”, we remain cautious of the seduction of excess. As Nuno Gonçalves Fontarra and Eliano Felício explained, even with powerful engines and now AI at our fingertips, "We champion restraint and careful consideration." With AI, the goal isn’t more images, it’s better questions. Which moment tells the story best? What composition feels most truthful? How can we bring emotion without exaggeration? Whether it’s adjusting a skylight’s tone or simulating a seasonal breeze, AI is another hand in the studio, supporting, never substituting. Our tools evolve, but our commitment to storytelling remains. Read how we're using AI, not to replace creativity, but to amplify its depth. Full article at https://bit.ly/40va9KB

150 Libraries You Need to Visit Before You Die We are proud to share that five Mecanoo-designed libraries are featured in a new book celebrating the world’s most inspiring library architecture. Each of these projects reflects our belief that libraries are more than buildings. They are civic landmarks that foster learning, connection, and belonging. Featured projects: 1. Library of Birmingham – a cultural heart for the city, redefining the modern public library. 2. Tainan Public Library – blending tradition and innovation in Taiwan’s cultural landscape. 3. LocHal Library – a transformed industrial hall turned dynamic public living room in Tilburg. 4. Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) – the next chapter for New York’s beloved Mid-Manhattan Library. 5. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library – a respectful transformation honouring Mies van der Rohe’s legacy in Washington, D.C. Together, these libraries embody Mecanoo’s vision of design as a tool for social impact: open, inclusive, and future-oriented. This book will take you on a fascinating journey through 150 unique libraries across all continents. Whether you are an avid reader or an architecture lover, this richly illustrated book serves as an inspiring travel guide and is the perfect reference for those in search of quiet yet endlessly interesting spaces. Read more about the book at https://bit.ly/4q9zwMN

We are pleased to share that the Doris Duke Theatre has been selected as a finalist for the NanaAwards 2025 in the Arts & Events category. The NanaAwards Project & Design Competition celebrates architectural innovation and the creative use of NanaWall systems to shape spaces that inspire, connect, and transform experiences. At Mecanoo, the Doris Duke Theatre reflects our commitment to designing cultural spaces that balance performance, openness, and atmosphere. Voting is now open until 17 October. Support the Doris Duke Theatre by casting your vote: https://bit.ly/4qcLZzq Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Mecanoo Marvel Charcoalblue

Today we celebrate the 7th anniversary of the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying)! Designed by Mecanoo, this landmark has become one of Asia’s most significant cultural destinations, bringing together music, theatre, dance, and public life under a single sweeping canopy. Inspired by the banyan trees of the surrounding park, the design merges architecture and landscape into one continuous experience. At the heart of the complex lies the Banyan Plaza, a partially enclosed public space where the cooling wind flows freely. Between the four formal performance halls that form the ‘trunks’ supporting the undulating roof, the plaza rises from ground level to five metres, blending seamlessly with the park’s topography. Weiwuying houses five world-class venues: the Opera House, Concert Hall, Playhouse, Recital Hall, and Outdoor Theatre, each contributing to a vibrant ecosystem of creativity and community. Together they form a continuous cultural landscape that invites people to gather, explore, and experience art in all its forms. Seven years on, Weiwuying continues to stand as a symbol of openness and connection, showing how architecture can inspire cultural exchange and a shared sense of belonging. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4h2B07z

We’re excited to share that Arne J. Lijbers, Partner Architect at Mecanoo, will be part of the Workspace Design Show Amsterdam at RAI, Hall 5, from 5–6 November. Hear from workplace leaders on how to create engaging and experiential environments for employees. Across 12 panel discussions and over 45 speakers, topics will range from boosting occupancy rates and building belonging, to sensory design, human connection, and the evolving role of the office. Arne will join the discussion “Case Study: Mecanoo and De Nederlandsche Bank” on 5 November, 11:25–12:10h, together with Maarten Van Gestel, DNB’s Manager Workplace Services. Under the topic “Activating the Senses”. Mecanoo also designed one of the stages for the Workplace Experience Talks, shaping the environment where many of these inspiring conversations will unfold. Designed with intentionally ambiguous borders, the pavilion invites interaction and curiosity. It blurs the lines between inside and outside, formal and informal, encouraging spontaneous engagement from every angle – more about the design coming soon! Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from some of the leading minds in architecture, shaping the workplaces of tomorrow. Register now at https://lnkd.in/ds-S22Du