Francine M. J. Houben is founding partner/creative director of mecanoo architecten, Delft. She founded Mecanoo in 1984. She has since led the firm to success in The Netherlands and abroad, amassing a portfolio of work that is wide-ranging, inspired by global challenges and with a sustainable view on society. Mecanoo combines the disciplines of architecture, urban planning, interior design and landscape architecture to produce unorthodox design solutions born from a strong sensitivity to context and a highly interdisciplinary design process. Each of her projects illustrates the three fundamental elements of her architectural vision: People, Place, Purpose. She interweaves social, technical, playful and humane aspects together to form a  unique solution to each assignment.