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. She also has described the concept of a "brandscape" which describes corporate value systems embodied into the physical landscape. 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. Provided by Wikipedia