Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/130754
IMAGES BY BIG&GLESSNER, IWAN BAAN (EXPO) A rendering of W57 as seen from Hudson River Park, is currently under construction in New York. BIG's design for the Danish Pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai. ARCHITECTURE WITH SOUL It wasn't the sunshine that brought Dane Bjarke Ingels down to Miami to scratch the skyline with a pair of twisting twin towers. It was a series of chance encounters that included a pavilion, a museum and a man named Nasir Kassamali. Here, Kassamali tells us how the Grove at Grand Bay got its star power. "David Martin of the Terra Group called me one day about a project he wanted me to consult on. He brought me over to see the plans, and well, they did not speak to my soul. After I told him that, he asked me who I would suggest, and I said 'I know this incredible young Danish architect.' When I showed them his books, as I had just gone to see a museum show his work was included in, they began questioning 'but what has he built?' I like the way he thinks, I told them. 'But he's so young.' So, what's wrong with that? Finally, they say, 'Ok, bring him to us.' Bjarke had just been in Miami two weeks prior to present the Audi pavilion he designed for Design Miami/, and was in China when I called him to come back and meet with the Terra Group…When we went to Bjarke's New York office—which is like all young creative offices, a mess— David turns to me and says, 'Nasir, who is this guy?'" CULTURED 111