The low-down on the winner of the Birmingham Central Library competition.
• Born Sittard, the Netherlands, 1955
• Studied at Delft University of Technology
• Founded Mecanoo with Erick van Egeraat in 1984
• Professor in architecture at Delft University of Technology
• Currently a member of the London Design Advisory Panel
• Stirling Prize judge in 2004
• Visiting professor at Harvard in  2007
• 2008`s Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year
• Has two cats, two chickens, and enjoys the music of French composer Yann Tiersen
• Best known works to date: Fifty-Two Degrees, Nijmegen; Delft University and Rotterdam Chapel.
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/newsfeatures/2008/08/ten_facts_about_mecanoos_francine_houben.html;jsessionid=8CCE8267052E6BEE741B7D9F545C902C