Bjarke Ingels Is Mr. Cool

B.I.G. has established itself as a firm which is particularly projective in nature. Their work is expressive of the needs of the intended user. Projective architecture, otherwise described as “cool”, has the ability to negotiate with its context. This stands in stark contrast to a critical or “hot” design, which is rigid in nature and over-performing.

This is best expressed in the video “FORMGIVIING” with Bjarke Ingels where he goes on to explain his concept for Superkilen Park. This urban space is located in the most ethnically diverse area of Denmark, with up to 60 different nationalities being represented in the local population. B.I.G.’s proposal tapped into this diversity – the designers reached out to the community and invited them to recommend aspects from their home country that should be included in the scheme. Walking through this park today, you will see Moroccan fountains, a Thai boxing ring, bicycle racks from Finland, just to name a few of the many architectural features that were tailored to the inhabitants.

As stated in “Notes around the Doppler Effect and Other Moods of Modernism” by Robert Somol and Sarah Whiting, “Cool is relaxed, easy.” …“it is low definition and requires the context and viewer to complete it, lacking both self-sufficiency and self-consciousness.” Bjarke Ingels’ design for Superkilen Park is a literal interpretation of projective architecture. To make sense of its form or existence, you need to first understand its context.