Archive of Author | Cecil Balmond

About Cecil Balmond

Cecil Balmond OBE, is widely considered to be one of the most significant creators of his generation. An internationally renowned artist, architect and engineer, Balmond transcends the conventional boundaries of discipline working in the crossover between art and science. In this dynamic area, he has re-invented the very concept of space, transforming the meaning of geometry, form and structure. Balmond’s design approach engages inner organisational systems - a process based on rigorous research. Balmond has spent over 40 years investigating the relationship between form and the very roots of order at the core of life. This scientific methodology allows Balmond to create alternate theoretical models and negotiate new emergent forms by experimentation. Before setting up Balmond Studio in 2011, Balmond was Deputy Chairman of Arup. He was also Chairman of Arup’s European Building Division, and ran the critically acclaimed design group, AGU (Advanced Geometry Unit). His pioneering work with the AGU, and collaborations with internationally renowned architects, brought Balmond’s unique design philosophy to the global stage.Balmond has also taught at some of the world’s most influential design and architectural institutions, and currently holds the Paul Philippe Cret Chair as Professor of Architecture, at Penn Design, University of Pennsylvania, where he also founded the Non- Linear Systems Organization (NSO), a material and structural research unit. He has also been Visiting Saarinen Professor at Yale University School of Architecture, 1997-2002; Professor at LSE Urban Cities Programme, 2002-2004; and Visiting Kenzo Tange critic, Harvard Graduate School of Architecture, 2000.

Cecil Balmond OBE, is widely considered to be one of the most significant creators of his generation.

An internationally renowned artist, architect and engineer, Balmond transcends the conventional boundaries of discipline working in the crossover between art and science. In this dynamic area, he has re-invented the very concept of space, transforming the meaning of geometry, form and structure.

Balmond’s design approach engages inner organisational systems – a process based on rigorous research. Balmond has spent over 40 years investigating the relationship between form and the very roots of order at the core of life.

This scientific methodology allows Balmond to create alternate theoretical models and negotiate new emergent forms by experimentation. Before setting up Balmond Studio in 2011, Balmond was Deputy Chairman of Arup. He was also Chairman of Arup’s European Building Division, and ran the critically acclaimed design group, AGU (Advanced Geometry Unit). His pioneering work with the AGU, and collaborations with internationally renowned architects, brought Balmond’s unique design philosophy to the global stage.Balmond has also taught at some of the world’s most influential design and architectural institutions, and currently holds the Paul Philippe Cret Chair as Professor of Architecture, at Penn Design, University of Pennsylvania, where he also founded the Non- Linear Systems Organization (NSO), a material and structural research unit. He has also been Visiting Saarinen Professor at Yale University School of Architecture, 1997-2002; Professor at LSE Urban Cities Programme, 2002-2004; and Visiting Kenzo Tange critic, Harvard Graduate School of Architecture, 2000.

QUALIFICATIONS

Doctor of Science, University of Southampton, 2012

Fellow, Institution of Engineering Designers, 2009

Doctor of Science, University of London 2009

Fellow, Royal Academy of Engineers, 2008

Fellow, Royal Institute of British Architects, 1998

MSc, Imperial College, London, 1970

DIC, Imperial College, London, 1970

BSc, University of Southampton, 1965

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Engineering Designers, 2009

Honorary Fellow of RIBA, 1998

Honorary Architectural Association Diploma, 1992

Member of the Institution of Structural Engineers, 1970

TEACHING

Director, Non-Linear Systems Organisation (NSO), Penn Design, University of Pennsylvania from 2005 to current day

Paul Phillipe Cret Professor of Architecture, Penn Design, University of Pennsylvania. From 2004 to current day

Visiting Saarinen Professor, Yale University School of Architecture, 1997-2002

Professor, LSE, Urban Cities PrograWmme, 2002-2004

Visiting Kenzo Tange critic, Harvard Graduate School of Architecture, 2000

AWARDS

Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture, 2016

Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Services to Architecture, 2015

Americans for the Arts, Public Art Network Year in Review Awarded to Snow Words, one of the top 50 public art projects in the US 2013

GG2 Hammer Award, 2012

IED Gerald Frewer Memorial Trophy, 2011

Sir Banister Fletcher Prizefor best book on architecture awarded to informal, 2005

RIBA Jencks Award for theory and practice in architecture, 2003

Gengo Matsui Prize, 2002

PUBLICATIONS

Crossover, Prestel 2012

A+U: Cecil Balmond, 2008

Element, Prestel 2007

Informal, Prestel 2002, 4 languages

No. 9: The Search for the Sigma Code, Prestel 1998, 7 languages

EXHIBITIONS

Equilibrium, Salvatore Ferragamo, Florence, 2015

UnBounded, Allen & Overy, London, 2014

Nebula, Targetti + Louis Poulsen Spazio Luce showroom, Milan 2011

Element, Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, Tokyo Japan, 2010

Forum 64, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh USA, 2009

Solid Void, Graham Foundation, Chicago USA, 2009

Frontiers of Architecture, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark, 2008

H_edge, Artists Space, New York USA, 2007

Informal, Arc en Reve, Bordeaux France, 2006

Articles with Cecil Balmond

from ‘Element’

Cecil Balmond OBE, is widely considered to be one of the most significant creators of his generation.

An internationally renowned artist, architect and engineer, Cecil Balmond transcends the conventional boundaries of discipline working in the crossover between art and science. In this dynamic area, he has re-invented the very concept of space, transforming the meaning of geometry, form and structure.

Balmond’s design approach engages inner organisational systems – a process based on rigorous research. He has spent over 40 years investigating the relationship between form and the very roots of order at the core of life