History of fr·ee and Company Culture
fr·ee is a global architecture and industrial design firm founded by Fernando Romero with offices in New York and Mexico City. Their main goal and reason for being is to revolutionize site and public space, fr·ee’s commitment to translating historic, social, economic and environmental contexts into contemporary urban destinations has garnered critical attention and attracted millions of visitors, generating positive impact in cities and communities. Over the past 20 years, fr·ee has realized and proposed projects in a number of countries that encompass different programs and contexts, from museums and office buildings to dense urban centers and the desert.
Fernando Romero, Hon. FAIA is recognized as one of the leading architects of his generation. He was named a Global Leader of Tomorrow at the World Economic Forum in 2002, one of the 50 Most Influential Designers by Fast Company in 2012 and became an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 2013. His many accolades include the Bauhaus Award and the ‘Best of the Best’ Red Dot Award.
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As you scroll through the following three projects they have created, consider all of these design techniques and ideas they have implemented.
fr·ee Projects
Since it’s opening in 1973, the Inverted Pyramid has been the symbol of St. Petersburg’s intricate relationship with its waterfront. It was a statement of visionary architecture that explored the possibilities of the technology of its time. Functionally the unique shape offered shade below while placing the most important programmatic areas on top providing spectacular views of Tampa Bay and the city skyline. Still today, when seen from land, the pyramid is a landmark on the horizon. The Pyramid is an unquestionable part of St. Pete as a memory and experience and has been the setting for many memories of the city’s inhabitants. Functionally, the rejuvenated Pier is a stage hosting activities for all St. Pete’s generations. Prospect Pier will become part of the continuous evolving history of the city and relationship with the bay.
Photos by fr·ee
The National Museum of Energy and Technology (MUNET) is one of the most important institutions to be formed in Mexico in the last fifty years. Its mission is to educate and initiate interest in young adults to pursue educational programs and career opportunities in the energy and technology sectors. fr·ee’s design draws inspiration from the forms of manifested energy at the macro-scale of galaxies and solar systems and the micro scale of atoms, neutrons and protons. Lines of energy converge within the interior void of the building to highlight and emphasize one of its signature experiences: a floating sphere lifted by magnetic force. This central void becomes the focal point of the site and the geometric origin of the design.
Photos by fr·ee
Museo Soumaya is home to a private art collection of nearly 70,000 works, ranging from the 15th to mid-20th Century, including a large collection of Auguste Rodin sculptures. The design of the museum reflects the collector’s eclectic taste, as well as his desire to create a new cultural institution for the public and the city. Rising 150 feet (46 mts) at the heart of a new cultural and commercial district, the building’s form is clad in a skin of 16,000 hexagonal mirrored-steel elements, refering the traditional, colonial ceramic-tiled building façades in Mexico City and giving the building a distinctly different appearance depending on the weather, time of day and the viewer’s vantage point.
Photos by fr·ee
Do not forget that we will be posting more work by fr·ee in the coming weeks and months, so keep an eye out for more of their incredible work!! Every Friday we will be posting a new Featured Company, so join us again next week!
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