For this week's Proust Questionnaire, we talked with the Delft-based architect Francine Houben, co-founder of Mecanoo, and received some answers quite fitting for a Netherlander. Her favorites flowers? Tulips. Her favorite poet? Ramsey Nasr. Read on to find out what else makes Houben tick.

Who is your favorite living architect?

Álvaro Siza, Toyo Ito.

Who is your favorite dead architect?

Charles and Ray Eames, Lina Bo Bardi, Alvar Aalto.

How would you describe the personality of your practice?

An international family: visionary, playful, interdisciplinary.

What is your practice's main weakness?

Never-ending enthusiasm.

What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?

When technical and human aspects are combined in a single solution.

What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?

Bad light and poor acoustics.

What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?

Every architect is different.

What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?

Too much egocentrism.

What is your favorite type of project to work on?

I am a specialist in things I haven't done before.

What does architectural happiness mean?

Experiencing unforgettable spaces, to make a better world.

What does architectural misery mean?

Places that reflect a disinterest in people's needs.

Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?

Chicago.

What is your favorite color?

Mecanoo blue.

What is your favorite flower?

Tulips.

What is your favorite bird?

Owl.

Who is your favorite poet?

Dutch poet Ramsey Nasr (in particular "Mi have een droom").

Who is your favorite artist?

David Hockney.

When do you lie?

I hate lying.

What talent would you most like to have?

Making music.

What architectural strategies do you most overuse?

I always search for the balance between analysis and intuition.

How would you like to die?

Surrounded by my family.