reginadahmeningenhoven: A PARADISE FOR EVERYONE

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN

At first glance ‘faith, hope, love’, part of this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale theme, is not connected with architecture, but this bible quote could indeed be at the core of Dr Regina Dahmen-Ingenhoven’s architectural approach. The Düsseldorf based architect focuses on living urban environments and the idea that people need a safe place that makes them happy and provides comfort and shelter – especially in times of crisis.

“We are living in a time, which has been shaped by catastrophes and insecurity and that has created a wish for change,” says Regina Dahmen-Ingenhoven. “We need new energy sources.” This is not limited to how we live at home. The architect currently works on developing a new quarter in Düsseldorf and in her approach she is heavily influenced by European city utopias. For instance, the Greek polis was already shaped by the idea of a unified political community, making urban architecture a public task. “European architectural history is an essential part of myself,” says Regina Dahmen-Ingenhoven, who founded her office in 1992 and has won multiple awards since.

Architecture and urban development should include more than just functionality: “It is our philosophy to create spaces that function as energy sources, have sensuality and create a state of wellbeing. I think that places of beauty make people happy and have healing properties,” explains Regina Dahmen-Ingenhoven. “The debate about what architecture and urban development can achieve nowadays is more important than ever. We have to consider the enormous impact on our body, mind and soul. This is a challenge for us architects.”

reginadahmeningenhoven architects have a wide scope, but whatever they do, the focus lies on atmosphere, feelings and beauty, which are determined by shapes, colours or the floor plan. How surfaces can influence a place the architectural office has just proven in a project for the Thermopal Designers’ Collection. The plastic sheets follow the topics ‘criminalloverswanted’, but Regina Dahmen-Ingenhoven approached it with her usual optimism, creating inspiring images following the ideas of hope, divinity and love. In her colourful design renaissance motives clash with pop-art shapes, again proving the architect’s close connection to design and art history. In 2020 she was awarded the honour of “Female Designer of the Year” for the second time.