The architectural practice of Andrés Jaque, born in Madrid in 1971, focuses on the intersection of design, research, and environmental activism. Since founding the Office for Political Innovation in 2003, his work has consistently interrogated the political agency of buildings, positioning architecture as a cosmopolitical practice that connects global environmental concerns with everyday human interactions.
Academic Leadership and Training
Jaque completed his formal architectural education at the Technical University of Madrid and the Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid, later earning a PhD. He currently serves as the Dean of the Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. Before this role, he held academic positions at Princeton University School of Architecture and The Cooper Union, reflecting a career deeply rooted in pedagogical and scholarly advancement.
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His projects often challenge traditional definitions of building design. His 2012 intervention at the Barcelona Pavilion, titled PHANTOM, exposed the hidden operational processes of the site, including maintenance materials like salt and curtains. This work is now held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Similarly, his 2012 performance, IKEA Disobedients, marked the first architectural performance to enter the MoMA collection, emphasizing his transdisciplinary approach.
Notable Built Works and Recognition
Jaque has executed diverse projects internationally, ranging from the Reggio School in El Encinar de los Reyes to the Ocean Space in Venice and Rómola in Madrid. His contributions to the field have received significant accolades, including the 10th Frederick Kiesler Prize for Architecture and the Arts in 2016, the Silver Lion for the Best Project at the 14th Venice Biennale in 2014, and the UNESCO Global Award for Sustainable Architecture in 2024.
Curatorial and Media Contributions
Beyond physical structures, Jaque acts as a curator, having led the 13th Shanghai Art Biennale, titled Bodies of Water, and co-curated Manifesta 12 in Palermo. He maintains a prolific output as a writer and contributor to publications such as El Croquis and Domus, while also developing film projects like Sales Oddity, which examined the politics of direct-to-home television urbanism.
Fast facts
- Born: 1971, Madrid
- Citizenship: Spain
- Current Role: Dean, Columbia GSAPP
- Founder: Office for Political Innovation
- Award: 2016 Frederick Kiesler Prize
- Award: 2024 UNESCO Global Award for Sustainable Architecture
- Notable Work: Reggio School (2020)
Questions readers ask
What is the Office for Political Innovation?
Founded by Jaque in 2003, it is a transdisciplinary agency that operates at the intersection of architectural design, environmental activism, and research.
What was Jaque's contribution to the Venice Biennale?
In 2014, he won the Silver Lion for the Best Project at the 14th Venice Biennale for his film Sales Oddity, which focused on the politics of television urbanism.
Achievements
- Frederick Kiesler Prize
- Trained at Technical University of Madrid and Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid
