Building Blocks

An architect’s work goes way beyond shaping a city’s skyline. Ole scheeren, principal of büro ole scheeren, believes meaningful architecture has the power to shape the direction and development of society.

- Michael Wayne

NAME: Ole Scheeren

COMPANY: Büro Ole Scheeren

POSITION: Principal

LOCATION: Beijing, China

Architecture is a global profession. An idea that blossoms in a Dutch mind may end up shaping a Canadian skyline. While this sounds like it should be a recipe for incongruity, it’s the duty of the architect to deliver designs that complement a city, no matter where in the world it is, and contribute to its character.

To do so means becoming a citizen – and student – of the world. In the field of architecture, where knowledge is every bit as important as imagination, a lifetime of education and experience is an invaluable asset. Such is the case for German architect Ole Scheeren, Principal of Büro Ole Scheeren, whose education in architecture began at a young age.

“My father was an architect, so as a teenager I got involved,” he says. At the age of 22, Ole began executing and building projects of his own. “For an architect, that’s a young age.” This head start embedded within Ole a deep understanding of the profession that developed across multiple countries all over the world.