Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) is an internationally renowned architecture firm known for its innovative, sustainable, and groundbreaking designs. Founded by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels in 2005, the firm operates at the intersection of architecture, urbanism, and environmental design, delivering projects that are bold, forward-thinking, and functional. BIG’s work spans a diverse range of sectors, including residential, commercial, and cultural projects, with iconic designs such as the VIA 57 West in New York, the Amager Resource Center in Copenhagen (featuring a ski slope on its roof), and the Google headquarters in California. BIG is celebrated for its philosophy of “pragmatic utopia,” where creativity meets practicality, blending sustainability with visionary aesthetics.
ABOUT THE LECTURE
BIG’s lecture will focus on a series of groundbreaking projects that extend beyond Earth’s boundaries, embodying the firm’s vision for sustainable architecture and exploration in space. Jakob Lange, a partner at BIG, will lead the discussion, offering insights into projects such as “The Architects Guide to the Galaxy,” which explores sustainable architecture in space, reimagining human habitation beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Among the projects to be highlighted is the Mars Science City in the UAE, where BIG envisions creating a sustainable and self-sufficient habitat for human exploration and research on the red planet. Additionally, BIG’s involvement in NASA’s Artemis program, particularly the design of the Olympus moon habitat, exemplifies the firm’s commitment to pioneering new frontiers in space architecture.
While BIG’s portfolio extends into the cosmos, the firm also demonstrates its dedication to terrestrial challenges with projects like NASA Chapea, focusing on habitat design for extreme environments on Earth, and the Andøya Spaceport in Norway, which aims to facilitate space exploration while minimizing its environmental impact.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Jakob Lange
Partner
Copenhagen, Denmark
Jakob Lange is a Partner at Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and leads many of the firm’s largest and most complex projects. With a background in architecture and engineering, Jakob specializes in sustainable and innovative design solutions that push the boundaries of what is possible in the built environment. His notable works include the Amager Resource Center, a waste-to-energy plant that doubles as a public park and ski slope, and other pioneering projects that balance environmental responsibility with bold architectural expression. As a speaker, Jakob brings valuable insights into BIG’s design philosophy, showcasing how they use creative problem-solving to address both societal needs and environmental challenges.
Do you want to hear more from Jette after her lecture? Jette will also be part of the panel discussion later during the day together with Jette Hopp, Jacob Voorthuis, Mick Eekhout & Dirk Visser.