Sir Philippe Samyn (born 1 September 1948) is a Belgian architect, engineer and urbanist. He is the creator of over 686 projects, 250 of which are built. His architecture is characterized by a holistic approach, investigating new ways of construction focused on efficiency between the material, the shape, the function, and the energy needed in the making and functioning of the building.
Morphology and the study of shapes is a central component in his process. His architecture is distinguished by a privileged use of wood in an unusual way, of glass and steel, but also of recovered materials, forming an architecture in which geometry supports the qualities of the material. He defends the concept of the “efficiency” of materials, leaning the rational use of their properties. His process goes against those who produce structures which are expensive, fragile, or excessive use of material structures. His technological and structural research which are in favour of a durable use of materials was acknowledged in 2008 by a Global Award for Sustainable Architecture.
