BIG (architecture firm)

BIG (architecture firm)
Name	BIG
Founded	0 2005
Founder	Bjarke Ingels
Location	Copenhagen, Denmark; New York City, United States
Key people	Bjarke Ingels, Sheela Maini Søgaard
Num employees	~600
Significant buildings	Vessel, CopenHill, The Twist
Website	https://big.dk/

BIG (architecture firm). BIG, officially Bjarke Ingels Group, is a globally renowned Danish architectural practice founded in Copenhagen in 2005 by architect Bjarke Ingels. The firm is celebrated for its innovative, pragmatic, and often playful approach to design, merging sustainability with ambitious urban visions. With additional offices in New York City and London, BIG has executed a wide array of projects, from cultural institutions and residential towers to master plans and public spaces, earning numerous international accolades.

History

BIG was established in 2005 by Bjarke Ingels following his departure from the collaborative practice PLOT, which he co-founded with Julien De Smedt. The firm's early breakthrough came with award-winning residential projects in Denmark, such as the VM Houses and the Mountain Dwellings in Ørestad, which showcased its signature blend of social and formal innovation. Rapid international expansion followed, leading to the opening of a New York City office in 2010, which facilitated major commissions like the VIA 57 West hybrid tower. The firm's growth was further solidified by high-profile projects such as the Danish National Maritime Museum in Helsingør and its selection to design the Google North Bayshore headquarters in Mountain View, California.

Notable projects

BIG's portfolio is distinguished by its diversity and scale. Key completed works include the Amager Bakke waste-to-energy plant with a ski slope, known as CopenHill, in Copenhagen; the serpentine art museum The Twist in Jevnaker, Norway; and the interactive Vessel at Hudson Yards in Manhattan. Significant ongoing or upcoming projects encompass the Spiral tower in New York City, the LEGO House in Billund, and the master plan for the Smithsonian Institution's South Campus in Washington, D.C.. The firm is also designing the Tirana 2030 master plan for the capital of Albania and the Panama 5000 towers in Panama City.

Design philosophy

BIG's design ethos is encapsulated in the concept of "Hedonistic Sustainability," which posits that sustainable living should be socially and sensually enjoyable, not a sacrifice. This philosophy is realized through a pragmatic, research-driven methodology they call "Bigamy" – the art of marrying seemingly opposed elements, such as public and private space, or density with green space. The firm frequently employs diagrammatic storytelling to explain complex ideas, a practice highlighted in publications like their Yes is More manifesto. This approach has influenced contemporary discourse at institutions like the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

Awards and recognition

BIG has received extensive international acclaim, including the prestigious European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award for the Danish National Maritime Museum. The firm has been honored with multiple Architizer A+ Awards, the Wallpaper* Design Awards, and the International Highrise Award for VIA 57 West. In 2016, Fast Company named BIG one of the world's most innovative companies. Founder Bjarke Ingels has been personally recognized with awards such as the RIBA Gold Medal and has been named to the Time 100 list of most influential people.

Publications

BIG communicates its ideas extensively through publications, using them as design tools and manifestos. Their first major book, Yes is More (2009), is a graphic novel-style monograph that outlines their architectural philosophy. Subsequent volumes include Hot to Cold (2015), which explores a gradient of global climates, and Formgiving (2020), examining the timeline of design. These works are often presented in exhibitions at venues like the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and the National Building Museum, further disseminating the firm's vision to a broad public and academic audience.

Leadership and structure

The firm is led by founder and creative director Bjarke Ingels, with Sheela Maini Søgaard serving as CEO, managing the operational and strategic growth of the practice. BIG is organized into interdisciplinary teams across its offices in Copenhagen, New York City, and London, collaborating with a network of consultants and partners like Arup, SLA, and AKT II. The leadership emphasizes a flat hierarchy to foster innovation, with partners and directors overseeing specific project typologies and geographic regions, ensuring a cohesive yet adaptable global practice.

Category:Architectural firms based in Copenhagen Category:Architectural firms established in 2005 Category:Companies based in New York City