Bjarke IngelsCritiques

“Yes is More” is a set of clever futuristic elevator pitches for projects from the Bjarke Ingels Group over eleven years, from 1999 to 2010. It was illuminating to see the driving concepts behind each project, but also how frequently they were shut down due to funding changes, political office changes, or the client’s distaste. They also do seem impractical; this impression (despite my absolute ignorance of architecture) was cemented by the aside later in the book that they have one engineer in their firm. The magnificent building concepts frequently feature gigantic facades to facilitate interesting and innovative shapes that respond to the requests of the client and the demands of the site. In a world without limits (or wind) I can see these buildings popping up like weeds.
This book’s charm is in its format and optimism. A graphic novel is uniquely adapted to present highly visual concepts to an audience not necessarily in the industry, though at some points the image quality left things to be desired. And Ingels’ personal and professional optimism, which in retrospect seems oddly representative of the late 2000s, is presented by small images of the smiling and wide-armed Ingels himself. A highlight of the book is the interview at the end, where Ingels presents his ideas more clearly than he did through the preceding hundreds of pages.
In sum: cool ideas, Ingels. Now, how are you going to do it?

The first entertaining architecture book ever. Bjarke Ingles burst out onto the scene with this book and the TED talk that preceded it. It is an altogether charming and inspiring comic book format telling the tales of a young architect forming his practice and winning clients and doing work with out clients to win clients. Very original. Very ambitious. A great read and fun book to have on the shelf to revisit as a reference.

shelved in: Monograph Library - at: B11:BIG

Monograph Library - shelved at: B11:BIG

shelved at: 93 BIG : Architects - BIG : Bjark Ingels Group

shelved at: 93 BIG : Architects - BIG : Bjark Ingels Group