Information Architecture
Information Based Architecture (IBA) was originally set up in London in 1998 as a partnership between architects Mark Hemel and Barbara Kuit. Using the newest technologies the practice challenges conventional thinking and seeks to exploit new opportunities to enrich our cities with conceptually interesting, and well thought through environmentally responsible architecture. The practice’s most interesting project to date is the Canton Tower, a 600 metre observation tower with 114.00 m2 of restaurants, conference and entertainment spaces. The project aims to seek coherence by integrating architectural, structural and environmental design. In the project of the Canton Tower, the structure’s fa?ade functions as an environmental filter that reduces sun loading. “While working on the competition, we wanted to offer the city, something simple but complex, a new form that would be in tune with the contemporary times and that would challenge the current building technologies. Where most historical skyscrapers were bearing male characteristics; being angular, simplistic, heavy and based on repetition, we defined our tower to have the identity of a female; smooth, curved, slender, gracious and incorporating diversity of spaces and floor-plan sizes, in short a sexy tower. The tower would be simple and complex at the same time, and would attempt to form a new and exciting coherence between structure and architectural effects” – said Mark Hemel. In 2002 IBA was short listed for the Young Architects of the Year Award in the United Kingdom. They have received support by the Dutch Department of Trade and Industry and received several encouragement- grants by the Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture. Currently based in Amsterdam the Netherlands and Guangzhou China, IBA continues its work on both large and small projects in Europe Africa and Asia. The work includes urban masterplanning, architecture, landscaping and furniture design.
Information Based Architecture