Van Alen Institute, a non-profit organisation in New York, announced additions to its board of trustees and four new member firms of its International Council, one of which being Mecanoo.
The Institute believes design can transform cities, landscapes, and regions to improve people’s lives. Van Alen collaborates with communities, scholars, policymakers, and professionals on local and global initiatives that rigorously investigate the most pressing social, cultural, and ecological challenges of tomorrow. Building on more than a century of experience, the organisation develops cross-disciplinary research, provocative public programs, and inventive design competitions.
Van Alen International Council is a platform for exchange among leading architects, designers, developers, and planners that represents practices across more than seventeen cities and ten countries. Besides Mecanoo, the following firm were also announced as new members: Haptic Architects (London, Oslo), Studio Libeskind (New York, Milan, Zurich), and Trahan Architects (New Orleans, Chicago). At the same time, Jing Liu (SO – IL), Kim Herforth Nielsen (3XN), and Raymond Quinn (Arup) joined Van Alen’s board of trustees.
“We are honoured to welcome Jing, Kim, and Ray and the new International Council firms to Van Alen, and we look forward to their insight and creativity,” said Stephen Cassell, Chair of Van Alen’s Board of Trustees and principal of Architecture Research Office. “It is an auspicious moment to bring new voices and skills into our conversations about the pressing challenges and exciting opportunities facing cities.”
Learn more about Van Alen Institute