Bjarke Ingels: Architecture with a sustainable, social, and bold vision
- IDEAS DESIGN STUDIO, LLC
- Oct 31
- 2 min read
Bjarke Ingels is one of the most influential architects of the 21st century, renowned for combining imagination, functionality, and sustainability in each of his works. Born in Copenhagen in 1974, he founded his studio Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in 2005, and since then has developed projects around the world that redefine the relationship between architecture, environment, and human experience. His philosophy, known as “hedonistic sustainability,” proposes that sustainable buildings should not represent a sacrifice, but rather a source of pleasure, well-being, and social connection. Rather than simply complying with technical or ecological requirements, Ingels seeks to create spaces that are efficient, beautiful, and enjoyable, integrating nature, technology, and community.
Among his most recent works is the Bloomberg Student Center at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, USA), a complex of laminated wood pavilions that adapts to the terrain with terraces, photovoltaic roofs, and large spaces open to the surroundings. This structure demonstrates that commercial and educational architecture can be sustainable without losing dynamism or aesthetics. Another example is the Faith Park project in Tirana, Albania, a 200,000 m² public park that symbolizes the coexistence of different beliefs through stone pavilions and nature trails, integrating landscape, culture, and spirituality. Both projects reflect BIG's innovative approach: using architecture as a tool for social and environmental integration, beyond mere construction.
Bjarke Ingels' legacy offers valuable lessons for architecture in Puerto Rico, where climatic and urban challenges demand creative and sustainable solutions. His approach can inspire tropical residential design adapted to the sun, wind, and vegetation, promoting open spaces, cross ventilation, and green terraces. In the field of commercial architecture and office design, his ideas translate into buildings that promote well-being, productivity, and connection with the natural environment. In addition, the early integration of technologies such as 3D rendering and BIM modeling, common in BIG's work, improves project communication, streamlines building permits, and ensures more accurate results.
Sustainable architecture, according to Ingels, is not a luxury, but a necessity that can increase market value and quality of life. In Puerto Rico, this means focusing on local materials, energy efficiency, and passive strategies that respond to the Caribbean climate. His vision also promotes a new way of understanding interior architecture, where natural light, vegetation, and flexible spaces become central elements of design. Thus, Ingels inspires architecture that not only builds buildings but also experiences: places that generate pride, well-being, and community.
In conclusion, Bjarke Ingels represents a paradigm of how creativity and sustainability can coexist in balance. His work demonstrates that it is possible to transform architecture into a sensory, responsible, and economically viable experience. For Puerto Rico, his legacy offers a model adaptable to the tropical reality, combining contemporary design, environmental respect, and human value.
References:
Poirier, S. (2025, octubre 1). 9 Stunning Bjarke Ingels Group projects redefining architecture. Under the Hard Hat. Retrieved from https://underthehardhat.org/bjarke-ingels-group-projects/
Klein, K. (2025, octubre 16). BIG completes a new student center at Johns Hopkins. The Architect’s Newspaper. Retrieved from https://www.archpaper.com/2025/10/big-rockwell-group-new-student-center-johns-hopkins-university/
Designboom. (2025, octubre 15). Bjarke Ingels to scatter symbolic pavilions across Tirana. Retrieved from https://www.designboom.com/architecture/bjarke-ingels-group-scatter-symbolic-stone-pavilions-tirana-hillside-faith-park-10-15-2025/
Bjarke Ingels Group – News. (2025). Retrieved from https://big.dk/news.
Comments