How Mecanoo Made It In USA
Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building, Boston, USA – Mecanoo
In 2008, Mecanoo was already an established firm in the Netherlands, with a marked niche in the cultural and civic sectors – especially theaters and public libraries. With 25 years of experience behind them, the firm had growing ambitions of developing a more international portfolio, backed by some notable projects abroad, such as the La Llotja Theatre and Conference Centre in Spain and the Dutch Embassy in Ethiopia.
Here, we examine how Mecanoo won their first projects in the United States and continue to expand their presence on the continent.
Teaming well on competitive projects
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Washington D.C., USA – Mecanoo
In 2008, Mecanoo teamed with the American firm Sasaki Associates on the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building public design competition in Boston. This teaming aligned on two accounts, first: Sasaki had delivered some commercial projects in Boston but no civic project that would qualify them to compete on their own. Second, the two firms combined their respective niche expertise: Sasaki was well known for landscape-driven masterplanning and activation of public squares and plazas, while Mecanoo had a strong civic and cultural portfolio. The Mecanoo-Sasaki team was selected as winners for their concept for bringing Dudley Square, the historic center of Boston’s African-American community, back to life by redeveloping the block that included the long-vacant building that now serves as a centralized headquarters for Boston Public Schools (completed in 2015). American critic Alexandra Lange has noted: “As an entrée for Mecanoo into American architecture, the Bolling project is less flashy than other Dutch debuts, but it should appeal to a broader range of clients.”
Mecanoo’s next U.S. project, the renovation of and addition to Mies van der Rohe’s 1972 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. with Martinez + Johnson (now OTJ Architects) as local partner, achieved similar goals. The team’s vision of developing a 21st century library within the 20th century facility was selected as the winning entry in 2014 by the District of Columbia Public Library – based on Martinez + Johnson's specialty in historic preservation and cultural venues and Mecanoo’s in public libraries. The project was completed in 2020.
Establishing strategic partnerships
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, New York, USA – Mecanoo
Mecanoo’s next break resulted from a strategic partnership with Dovetail Design Strategists, a consultancy in New York led by Susanna Sirefman specializing in finding the right design team for complex building projects. In 2015, DDS crafted the design team selection process for the re-imagination of NYPL’s Mid-Manhattan Campus. They introduced Mecanoo and the New York-based Beyer Blinder Belle to Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library’s leadership through an invited architect selection process, leading to the two firms collaborating on the project, which was completed in 2021.
Leveraging their connection with the New York Public Library and a successful collaboration with Beyer Blinder Belle, Mecanoo secured the commission for renovation of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building the same year. The project was completed in 2024.
Creating new avenues
Jacob’s Pillow Doris Duke Theatre, Massachusetts, USA – Mecanoo
Building upon their success and renown in the US, Mecanoo has tapped into the CLT market with their recently completed Jacob’s Pillow Doris Duke Theatre in Massachusetts, in collaboration with Marvel Architects as the executive architect.
They are also making inroads in the residential market, as with the multi-developer project in Washington D.C.'s Navy Yard.
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