Yes is More

A manifesto of architecture as seen by the Copenhagen-based group BIG, told in comic book form.

Yes is More is the easily accessible but unremittingly radical manifesto of Copenhagen-based architectural practice Bjarke Ingels Group, or BIG.Unlike a typical architectural monograph, this book uses the comic book format to express its groundbreaking agenda for contemporary architecture. It is also the first comprehensive documentation of BIG’s trailblazing practice—where method, process, instruments, and concepts are constantly questioned and redefined. Or, as the group itself says:

“Historically, architecture has been dominated by two opposing extremes: an avant-garde full of crazy ideas, originating from philosophy or mysticism; and the well organized corporate consultants that build predictable and boring boxes of high standard. Architecture seems entrenched: naively utopian or petrifyingly pragmatic. We believe there is a third way between these diametric opposites: a pragmatic utopian architecture that creates socially, economically, and environmentally perfect places as a practical objective. At BIG we are devoted to investing in the overlap between radical and reality. In all our actions we try to move the focus from the little details to the BIG picture.”

Bjarke Ingels attracts highly talented coworkers, but also gifted and ambitious clients from all over the world. He then creates intelligent synergies from wild energies and unforeseen dynamics, and transforms them into surprising, functional, valuable, and beautiful solutions to the specific and complex challenges in each task.

BIG projects have won awards from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Architecture Biennale, as well as many other international prizes. Yes is More is a play on words that represents the company’s ethos and sums up its irreverent attitude towards excessive formalism, and its determination to involve the population at large in its creations. As an extension of its methods and results, its debut monograph uses the most approachable and populist means of communication available—the comic.

INTRODUCTION

AN ARCHICOMIC

1. FOUND IN TRANSLATION People´s Building
2. A WELFAIRYTALE Danish Pavilion in Shanghai
3. LEARNING FROM LOMBORG Little Denmark
4. URBAN TETRIS The VM Houses
5. VERTICAL SUBURBIA The Mountain
6. INFINITY LOOP 8-house and Little Tower
7. SP(O)ANISH STEPS Scala Tower
8. MODULAR MANIA Lego Towers
9. SCANDINAVIAN SKYSCRAPER Escher Tower
10. BUREAUCRATIC BEAUTY Tojhuset
11. URBAN INTEGRATION The Battery
12. BAROQUE NETWORK Vilnius World Trade Center I
13. BAROQUE CITY UPSIDE DOWN Vilnius World Trade Center II
14. THE 7 PEAKS OF AZERBAIJAN Zira Zero Island
15. THE BIG PICTURE Superharbour
16. URBAN TYPOGRAPHY Vejle Houses
17. SPLIT PERSONALITY W Towers
18. TWISTED MINOS The Fan Buildings
19. CADAVRE EXQUIS Holbaek Harbour
20. SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET Maritime Youth House
21. TO BE AND NOT TO BE Danish Maritime Museum
22. COLOR THERAPY Helsinger Psychiatric Hospital
23. RE-SQUAT Sjakket Youth Club
24. SWIMMING POOL INSIDE OUT The Water Culture House
25. PUBLIC PROSCRENIUM Stavanger Concert Hall
26. NATIONAL DANK STAGE OF ICELAND Landsbanki
27. SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE Slussen
28. DOMUS PONTUS The Housing Bridge
29. BATTLEFIELD The Cloverfield
30. MARBLED BLOCK Holy Road
31. INSTANT ICON The Art Cross
32. ENGINNERING WITHOUT ENGINES Redovre Tower
33. ROYAL TRATMENT VMCP Hotel
34. SHEIKH CHIC Leadership Tower
35. POST-PETROLEUM PALACE The 5 Pillars of Bawadi

BIG CITY

YES IS MORE @ DAC

MY PLAYGROUND

YES MAN

CREDITS & SPONSORS