In a landmark collaboration poised to reshape Bhutan’s economic and architectural landscape, the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the renowned Danish architecture and design firm, has announced the establishment of its first South Asian office in Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). The announcement was made yesterday during a ceremony in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, signaling a significant step in Bhutan’s burgeoning role as a hub for innovative design and sustainable development in the Himalayan region.
The inauguration ceremony, held on December 16, brought together key figures including Mun Leong Liew, CEO of Gelephu Mindfulness City, Dr. Lotay Tshering, Governor of GMC, Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Creative Director of BIG, and Giulia Frittoli, Partner in Charge of the GMC project for BIG. The signing of the agreement marks BIG’s commitment to fostering both local talent and international expertise within Bhutan.
Bjarke Ingels expressed his enthusiasm for the project, recounting his initial encounter with Bhutan’s visionary plans. “I first learned about the King’s vision for Gelephu Mindfulness City when I found myself seated next to His Majesty at a dinner in Copenhagen in the summer of 2023. His vision was instantly inspiring: an entirely new kind of city rooted in Bhutanese values and Vajrayana Buddhist principles for the nature, culture and people inhabiting it—ideas that resonated deeply with my own philosophies of architecture and design, calling me to journey to Bhutan to learn more.”
Since its inception, GMC has rapidly transformed from an ambitious concept into a thriving reality. Ingels highlighted the strategic importance of the new BIG studio, stating, “With the launch of our GMC studio, we will ensure that we can be there at the centre of the action as the idea and the city continue to grow. As always, our new studio will combine local and global talent as we hope to help grow a new generation of Bhutanese designers, architects and engineers to give form to this ever-evolving vision of Bhutan.”
Sheela Maini Søgaard, BIG’s Chief Executive Officer, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the strategic and cultural significance of the move. “As we continue to help lay the foundation for Gelephu Mindfulness City’s thriving business and innovation environment, opening our office in Bhutan feels like a thrilling and natural next step. This new studio will allow us to deepen our connection to Bhutan and embrace its cultural richness while also strengthening our regional presence in South and Southeast Asia. BIG Bhutan will not only mark the beginning of the next chapter for BIG, but it will also be a step toward bringing the vision for GMC to life.”
The new BIG Bhutan office is set to become a vibrant center of creativity and innovation, staffed by a blend of local Bhutanese professionals and international experts. This diverse team will be drawn to the unique opportunity to contribute to a greenfield city project that integrates sustainable design with Bhutanese traditions. Additionally, the office will feature a learning center dedicated to nurturing young Bhutanese talent, providing them with the skills and knowledge to engage meaningfully in the global architecture and design sectors.
Mun Leong Liew, CEO of GMC, highlighted the broader implications of the partnership. “We are excited to conclude this agreement with BIG, which becomes the first international company to adopt GMC as its legal domicile. The significance of this agreement for the Kingdom of Bhutan cannot be overstated, as it lays the cornerstone for an edifice of enterprise and commerce that will emerge from the southern plains of Bhutan over the coming five to ten years and beyond.”
Reflecting on the collaboration, Liew added, “BIG has been an integral partner in bringing GMC to life since its earliest days, and I will never forget the first time I laid eyes on the masterplan design – no matter what form the City ultimately takes, the functional bridges across Gelephu’s numerous winding rivers – including an airport runway bridge – will always be the design identity that represents the City in my mind.”
With the addition of the GMC-registered office, BIG now boasts nine global locations, placing Gelephu Mindfulness City alongside established design capitals such as Copenhagen, London, New York, and Shanghai. This strategic expansion not only enhances BIG’s presence in South Asia but also reinforces Bhutan’s position as a forward-thinking nation committed to sustainable and culturally resonant development.
As Gelephu Mindfulness City continues to evolve, the partnership with Bjarke Ingels Group is set to play a pivotal role in shaping a unique urban environment that harmonizes modern innovation with Bhutanese heritage, setting a benchmark for future cities around the world.
