Anna Klingmann

Anna Klingmann is a German-born American architect, urbanist, author, and researcher who specializes in destination creation, placemaking, and place branding. She is considered a preeminent expert on Brandism in architecture and is a consultant for several real estate developers in New York, the Middle East, and Europe. She is the founder and principal architect of Klingmann Architects and Brand Consultants, and author of Brandscapes: Architecture in the Experience Economy. Klingmann coined the term "brandism" which describes how architecture can communicate a company's brand to the public. Her description of brandism can also be used not just to describe single structures; entire cities can have a unique brand or "expression of identity." Klingmann argues that "Branded architecture on a massive scale changes a city in profound ways." But Klingmann also believes that branded landscapes can "effect lasting, meaningful changes when drawing upon the dormant or explicit potential of particular cultures and places." In this process, she argues, identity, belonging, heritage and social factors play an important role in the co-designing and curation/branding of place to have a positive impact on residents’ feelings about the value of their place in the world. Anna Klingmann suggests that architects need to take control of this aspect of their work, using it for social good rather than manipulation.

Education and career Klingmann moved to New York City in 1984 and went to the Parson's School of Design.

Klingmann's main influence is Louis Kahn. In 2014, she curated a collaborative project with the University and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) which looks to connect artists, scientists, architects, and the community with the historic legacy and culture of Asir. The initiative seeks to engage international and local artists, architects, designers, scientists, curators, scholars and community stakeholders in a dialogue that explores ways to bring the past of Asir into a significant future, by merging ancient wisdom with cutting-edge trends and technology.

Klingmann is an adjunct associate professor at the New York Institute of Technology. She was the architecture department chair at Dar Al-Hekma University in Saudi Arabia from 2014–2017. She has also taught at Cornell University (2000–2003), and Columbia University(2004).

Publications Monograph Klingmann, A. Brandscapes: Architecture in the Experience Economy, First Edition, MIT Press, Cambridge, 2007; Second Edition, MIT Press, Cambridge, 2010; Mandarin Edition, Electronic Publishing House, Beijing, 2014

Contribution to academic journals

Bookchapters

Klingmann, A. (2023). Rescripting Saudi Arabia: The crafting of a new nation brand. In Gottwald, D., Turner-Rahman, G., Vahdat, V. (Eds.), Virtual Interiorities, Carnegie Mellon ETC Press Klingmann, A. (2016). The Rise of Shopping Malls in the Framework of Gulf Capitalism. In Lepik, A., Baader, S.(Eds.), World of Malls: Architecture of Consumption. Berlin: Hatje Cantz.Part of Klingmann, A. (2010). Creative Brandscapes: Heroes with Flaws. In Kiib, Hans (Ed.) Performative Urban Design, Aalborg: Aalborg Universitetsforlag. Part of Klingmann, A (2001). Datascapes: Libraries as Information Landscapes. In Bieri, S., Fuchs, W. (Ed.), Bibliotheken Bauen / Building for Books: Tradition und Vision. Basel: Birkhäuser. Part of