News

• 19/03 2026

  Design win for Area 19 at Eindhoven University of Technology

  KAAN Architecten and De Zwarte Hond have won the tender for Area 19 at TU/e. The commission includes the design of a new research and education building and the urban development of a new campus area. The project will be developed in the coming years within the framework set by TU/e.
  
  The proposal builds on the original masterplan by Sam van Embden from the 1960s, retaining the orthogonal structure and characteristic bridges. The ambition is to develop Area 19 as an open ensemble around a central hall, with green spaces strengthening the connection to the surrounding campus and the Dommel valley.
  Area 19 will accommodate three faculties of TU/e, including an advanced laboratory, offices, a large lecture hall and two smaller halls. Interaction is a key principle in the design at both the campus and building levels. Through targeted spatial interventions, knowledge exchange and collaboration between researchers, students and staff will be encouraged.
  Sustainability is a key principle. A compact layout and a modular, adaptable structure with timber elements will allow the building to evolve over time and support interdisciplinary use.
  
  Client: Eindhoven University of Technology
  Design team: KAAN Architecten and De Zwarte Hond
  Collaborators: Adviesbureau Lüning, B3, Alba Concepts, IDEFIX landscape architecture and Marjan van Aubel

• 11/02 2026

  Construction advances at Antwerp Coordination Center

  At the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, construction of the Antwerp Coordination Center by KAAN Architecten continues steadily, gradually revealing its character. As the façade emerges, the rhythm and energy of the design come to life.
  As the envelope takes shape, the design's modular logic becomes increasingly legible. Loggias and terraces capture the light and embrace sweeping views over the Zandvliet and Berendrecht locks. Transparent and translucent glass create subtle plays of openness and reflection, while double-height spaces enhance the tower’s vertical expression. A striking landmark for 24/7 port operations, designed with precision and built with craftsmanship.
  Explore more here. Photography by Sebastian van Damme.

• 17/12 2025

  KAAN Architecten expands its leadership towards the future

  KAAN Architecten announces an expanded leadership structure that reflects the firm’s ongoing growth and long-term vision, building on a lineage that began in Amsterdam in 1987 with Claus en Kaan Architecten. In 2002, a Rotterdam partnership was established by Kees Kaan, Dikkie Scipio, and Vincent Panhuysen, which evolved into the independent practice KAAN Architecten in 2014. Their collaborative and analytical design approach has shaped the firm’s identity, rooted in quality, pragmatism, and the Dutch building traditions of sustainability and welfare. The close relationship between practice and academia has further strengthened the firm’s ability to address the growing complexities of today's built environment.
  
  Collaboration has always been at the heart of KAAN Architecten’s practice. The development of our leadership structure signifies a natural progression in recognising the collective effort that shapes the office and in preparing it for the next generation of work.
  
  From December 2025, four Associate Partners – Renata Gilio, Marco Lanna, Antony Laurijsen and Hrvoje Šmidihen– will join the Founding Partners in steering the firm into its next chapter. As Associate Partners, they will focus on the overall direction of the office, guiding its strategic development, managing teams and resources, and cultivating key internal and external relationships. In this role, they will work closely with the Founding Partners to ensure continuity of the firm’s vision and culture.
  
  They will be supported by a group of Associate Architects – Bas Barendse, Timo Cardol, Marylène Gallon, and Lisa Goes– who will ensure that the architectural quality of each commission is consistently achieved. Their role is centred on translating the shared ambitions of the office into concrete, built results.
  
  Together, this team offers complementary expertise, diverse perspectives, and a shared commitment to excellence. Their appointment strengthens the firm's continuity while supporting its future ambitions. Each of these individuals is already deeply involved in the daily work of KAAN Architecten, and this formalisation recognises their significant contributions to the practice.