Lina Ghotmeh, founder of the architecture firm Lina Ghotmeh - Architecture, has been recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the world's most influential rising stars. 

Each year, TIME releases its "100 Best" list, which highlights innovators, artists, singers, leaders, and advocates. In this year's edition, the French-Lebanese architect was included among this distinguished group.

Lina Ghotmeh is the only architect listed among the most influential people under the "Artists" category, this category includes American actress Monica Barbaro, American musician and actor Miles Caton, American poet and essayist Ocean Vuong, Nigerian-American contemporary visual artist Toyin Ojih Odutola.

Ghotmeh was nominated for the list by Bjarke Ingels, the founder of BIG, who was named on the Time100 list in 2016.

The 2023 Serpentine Pavilion in London's Kensington Gardens by Lina Ghotmeh. Image © Iwan Baan, Courtesy: Serpentine

"A strong-­willed boldness, and a respect for tradition with a contemporary twist"

Bjarke Ingels highlighted the exceptional work of Lina Ghotmeh in a memorable quote for TIME: "I met Lina Ghotmeh in the middle of the Estonian forest at the very beginning of her career, when she was one of three young and hungry architects who won a competition to design the National Museum of Estonia."

"I was immediately impressed; she exhibited a calm confidence and a clarity of mind that signaled a long and successful career ahead."

"Lina has clearly not disappointed, as evidenced by her recent win of the commission to redesign a major portion of the British Museum. To be able to win any of the global competitions that our industry calls for is no small feat—to have won more than one, as Lina has, is a true sign of staying power."

"When I look at her work, I see simplicity combined with a strong-­willed boldness, and a respect for tradition with a contemporary twist," Ingels added. 

"She has a knack for embracing history in her designs. I’m looking forward to seeing her reimagine the labyrinthine galleries of an institution as historical as the British Museum," Ingels continued.

Maroquinerie de Louviers in Normandy, France by Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture. Image © Iwan Baan

Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture is an internationally recognized firm led by architect Lina Ghotmeh, who was born in Lebanon. She is recognized for her award-winning designs that prioritize ecological sustainability and draw inspiration from history.

Raised in Beirut, Ghotmeh creates architecture that is progressive, environmentally conscious, and inclusive, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation.

Ghotmeh's notable projects include the 2023 Serpentine Pavilion located in Kensington Gardens, London, the new Hermès leather workshops in Normandy, France, which feature sculpturally arranged bricks that encase the building, and the Estonian National Museum, designed in collaboration with architects Dan Dorell and Tsuyoshi Tane.

Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture to redesign the Western Range Galleries of the British Museum in London. Image is courtesy of Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture

Early this year, Lina Ghotmeh was selected to redesign the Western Range Galleries of the British Museum in London, United Kingdom. Moreover, Lina Ghotmeh was selected through a global competition to design the permanent Qatar Pavilion at the Giardini of Venice Architecture Biennale.

This year, TIME Magazine also named Annabelle Selldorf and Ma Yansong to the TIME 100 Most Influential People List. In 2024, Lesley Lokko and Marina Tabassum were named as the world's most influential architects in the 2024 TIME100 Next List by TIME.

The top image in the article: Lina Ghotmeh in her atelier. Image © Dion Barrett.

> via TIME 

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