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14/06 2022

Amsterdam’s iconic Aurora building set for renovation

The iconic Aurora building on the corner of the Stadhouderskade and the Overtoom is heading towards a sustainable future. We are collaborating with Being, IMd Raadgevende Ingenieurs, DGMR and SkaaL to develop the striking corner building into a state-of-the-art office location with international allure.

The Aurora building is a prominent landmark at the intersection of Centrum, Zuid and West and is one of Amsterdam’s first modernist anchor points. It was designed by the renowned Dutch architect Piet Zanstra for the Aurora life insurance company in the 1960s. The elegant curvature of its facade is a characteristic feature, running almost parallel to the bend of the street corner. The building consists of a commercial plinth with spacious office floors of almost 1,000m2 above.

The renovation of Aurora combines character preservation with innovation. The ambition is to modernise and make the building more sustainable while respecting its history and unique features. Adding a new roof structure, green roof terraces, and a vertical greenhouse will create various outdoor spaces and meeting spots to strengthen the connection within the building and with the neighbourhood. The aim is to obtain an A++ energy label, BREEAM and WELL certification for the building. All sustainability measures contribute to a comfortable and healthy living environment. The focus is on social cohesion and achieving a pleasant living environment, with less noise, heat stress and air pollution.

Aurora will make an ideal new home for major national and international companies due partly to its good accessibility and location in relation to the centre of Amsterdam. First activities regarding renovation are expected at the end of 2023, after the departure of the current tenant, Booking.com.

Architect: KAAN Architecten
Developer: Being
Owner: UBS Asset Management
Structural engineering: IMd Raadgevende Ingenieurs
Installations and sustainability: DGMR
Financial consultant: SkaaL
Leasing manager: CBRE, Van Gool Elburg

25/10 2024

Museum Paleis Het Loo wins Dutch Daylight Awards 2024

Museum Paleis Het Loo has been awarded the Dutch Daylight Award in the >1000 m² category!

Last Wednesday, the winners of the Dutch Daylight Awards 2024 were announced in The Hague.

The jury praised our design for its remarkable use of daylight, seamlessly integrating light to enhance the museum experience. This project prioritises a connection between interior spaces and the surrounding historic landscape, creating an atmosphere that respects and revitalises the heritage setting.

Thank you to the Dutch Daylight Awards and everyone involved.

14/06 2024

Kees Kaan inducted into the French Academy of Architecture

On June 12, Kees Kaan officially became a member of the French Academy of Architecture, following a praise by Pablo Katz, the institution’s current vice president, and Jean-Pierre Pranlas-Descours.

In his inaugural speech to guests and members of the Academy, Kaan discussed the significance of representation in architecture and how themes of grandeur, collectivity, and culture, rooted in French architecture, have influenced his professional journey. Exploring the concept of “Palais” and its evolution in Parisian architecture, Kaan drew a parallels to the urban development of Amsterdam’s canals, based on a pragmatic and commercially efficient economic model.

Kaan concluded by emphasizing the role of architecture in fostering social interaction and cultural dialogue, highlighting the importance of narratives in building.

photos © Sebastian van Damme

24/05 2024

Museum Paleis Het Loo wins BNA Award in the category ‘Identity and Iconic Value’

We are honored to announce that Museum Paleis Het Loo has won the BNA Beste Gebouw van het Jaar 2024 in the category: Identiteit & Icoonwaarde!

The jury, headed by Marcia Luyten, recognized the iconic value of the renovation and intervention of Museum Paleis Het Loo. The BNA stated: “The jury is impressed by the daring structural intervention, which is both understated and monumental. The quality is evident. The connection between the palace’s historical aspect and the contemporary extension is beautifully executed—in the floor plan, the water feature, and the exquisite sightlines. The underground space, which could easily have been somber, has acquired a festive character due to the sparkling light, high-quality materials, and unique ceiling lines. From the compass rose in the floor to the wood decorated with orange blossom motifs, every detail has been carefully considered.”

We’d like to congratulate and thank Stichting Paleis Het Loo Nationaal Museum, all collaborators, and the team for this prestigious recognition.
To discover more about the complete jury report and the winners in other categories, see the BNA Award website.

02/04 2024

Dikkie Scipio’s contribution to the academic book ‘The Palladio Method’

Architects and architectural historians from Italy, the Netherlands and Germany met on May 13 and 14, 2022 in a symposium at the Münster School of Architecture. From the outset, the conference’s purpose (The Palladio Method) was to consider Palladio as a draughtsman and designer, mason and engineer, innovator and image maker. Participants were asked to explore what can be learnt in modern practice from the 16th-century master. This volume collects the contributions from the symposium.

Dikkie Scipio reflects on the essay ‘Let’s talk about Palladio, a brave attempt to understand a 16th-century architect’, which is included in the book:
“Palladio has been the most studied, copied, and celebrated architect for centuries, yet his relevance in contemporary architectural discourse is minimal. However, at a time when the perception of our profession and the way architects define their role are both undergoing significant changes, it becomes pertinent to revisit the question: What exactly is an architect? In doing so, we cannot overlook the godfathers of architecture and must endeavour to understand their position on Utilitas, Firmitas, and Venustas (usefulness/convenience, durability, and beauty) the triangle on which architecture is founded”.

Thanks to FH Münster, University of Applied Sciences, the Münster School of Architecture and the Palladio Museum – Centro Internazionale di Studi di Architettura Andrea Palladio for making this possible.

The book is already online for a free delight, you can find it here.

22/03 2024

Construction starts on Strijp-S Matchbox in Eindhoven

Yesterday, 21 March 2024, marked the official start of construction on Matchbox, a mixed residential and office building in the Strijp-S area of Eindhoven. This new building on “Veld K”, in front of the Trudo Tower, is expected to be finished by mid-2025.

The Matchbox project adopts the rationality and no-nonsense aesthetic of the early modernist context to be integrated into the former industrial ribbon of Philips factories Strijp-S. After realisation, it will be the first building in Strijp-S to use bio-based materials, allowing the storing of more CO₂ within the building than what was emitted during its developing phase. Matchbox brings in the softness of an elegantly crafted timber grid system. This deliberate design approach exemplifies our dedication to reducing the carbon footprint and nurturing a more environmentally conscious future.

Matchbox has a highly permeable active plinth, hosting small entrepreneurs and the new Trudo offices from the ground floor to the second floor. A total of 36 apartments on levels three to six are arranged around an inner courtyard to encourage social contact between people, completely in the style of Strijp-S.

Explore our complete project here or read more information here!

Building team
Architect: KAAN Architecten
Client: Sint Trudo
Contractor: Stam + De Koning Bouw
Construction advisor: ABT / Adviesbureau Lüning
Building physics and fire safety: ABT
Installation advisor: Visietech

12/02 2024

KAAN Architecten contributes to Amsterdam’s architecture as new ARCAM sponsor

Arcam is a great institution for open discussion and planning for the city of Amsterdam. This considerable hub of ideas and initiatives is an ideal stage for knowledge exchange and research development for a new and better city.

As urbanization continues to increase around the world, cities are expanding rapidly, and planners are trying to predict future scenarios. This is particularly true for the city of Amsterdam, where urbanization means, above all, intensification and diversification. Amsterdam has a long tradition of integrated planning of its growth, with the century-old canal system as the protagonist. Architecture and urban development have always been closely intertwined, in its own unique way, throughout every period of growth. This has made the city of Amsterdam one of the most fascinating showcases of the relationship between architecture and urban development. The recent debate on how to achieve the right density in different parts of the city is an example of this attitude.

Inspired by such questions and challenges, KAAN Architecten is ready to jump into the arena of the constructive and innovative pioneering mentality that Arcam promotes, which is also typical of Amsterdam. KAAN Architecten’s many projects in the city have given us an extensive awareness of the big picture and the main questions for Amsterdam, and we are eager to share and debate.

Find more info here or read the full article here below:

15/01 2024

Dikkie Scipio’s contribution to Rolmodellen & ‘starchitects’ panel discussion

Times change, and so do the role models in architecture. What are the values of contemporary architects, and who do they represent nowadays? Does the principle of a ‘starchitect’ as a role model still stand, or can inspiration also arise from collective and collaboration? And is there enough diversity in the range of role models in terms of gender, origin and other aspects?

In response to the publication Women in Architecture, nai010 publishers organized a panel discussion with Arcam Architectuurcentrum Amsterdam and Pakhuis de Zwijger.

Dikkie Scipio was part of this debate together with Linda Vlassenrood, Eileen Stornebrink, Peter van Assche, Pınar Balat, Murtada Alkaabi, Erica Smeets-Klokgieters and Jurrian Arnold. The event also had Indira van ‘t Klooster (Arcam Architectuurcentrum Amsterdam) discussing new values, ownership and authorship in architecture.

The event took place last December at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam. If you missed it, you can watch the discussion here.

28/11 2023

NEAC Visitor Centre in Margraten is opening soon

Anticipating the upcoming inauguration of the new Visitor Center at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten on December 12th, we remember a significant construction achievement: the completion of its remarkable concrete fascia, achieved through a unique and complex multi-day process.

Fascia is the vertical band forming the outer surface of the building’s abstract cubic volume suspended above the landscape. Captured on film by Marcel IJzerman, the structure was slowly and carefully lifted over the course of several days by a coordinated system of hydraulic jacks to its final position. There, it will permanently hang from the visitor centre’s roof structure, allowing light to enter behind and giving it the appearance of floating in place.

We are incredibly proud and excited to reveal the finished space very soon.

Film by Marcel IJzerman
Sound design by Morten Brogaard
Commissioned by KAAN Architecten and American Battle Monuments Commission
With thanks to Groep van Roey, Civiele technieken deBoer bv, Camuse

24/11 2023

Dikkie Scipio honored with the “Prix des Femmes Architectes International Prize”

We are thrilled to announce that Dikkie Scipio has been awarded the prestigious “Prix des Femmes Architectes International Prize” by ARVHA.

The renowned award, now in its 11th edition, celebrates the outstanding contributions of women architects globally. ARVHA, in collaboration with esteemed partners such as the Ile de France Region and the National Council of the Order of Architects, aims to recognize and promote the achievements of women in architecture.

In a competitive pool of 1,270 projects reviewed for the 2023 edition, Dikkie Scipio stood out for her remarkable accomplishments, receiving the award for her outstanding works, among others Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Geo-and Environmental Center at Tübingen University and Museum Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn. This recognition reflects not only her individual success but also her influence as a role model for future female architects.

In addition to her architectural achievements, Dikkie Scipio plays a vital role in academia, where she finds deep importance. As a dedicated professor at the MSA Muenster School of Architecture, she actively seeks to inspire and empower the next generation, particularly young women, by fostering a passion for architecture.

Congratulations to Dikkie Scipio on this well-deserved honor!

Award Ceremony at the Pavillon de l’Arsenal in Paris

27/09 2023

Opening lecture by Kees Kaan at ENSA Paris La Villette

Next Tuesday, 3 October, Kees Kaan will give a lecture at the National School of Architecture of Paris La Villette (ENSAPLV), kicking off the new academic year.

Titled “Building Narratives,” the lecture will explore the transformative power of narrative construction within architectural projects. Kaan will delve into how each project takes on a distinct identity as the architect crafts a compelling narrative, engaging individuals and stories along the way. This process, as Kaan emphasizes, is inclusive and open, actively inviting the input of all stakeholders. By incorporating the diverse opinions and experiences of those involved, this approach ultimately results in the creation of buildings that are not only robust and straightforward but also deeply connected to the needs and aspirations of both future occupants and society as a whole. Read more at the link.

Practical information:
ENSAPLV, Amphi 302
Tuesday October 3, 2023 at 18.00 h
Free admission, limited seating available
in English

Featured image by Sebastian van Damme.

Category

14/06 2022

Amsterdam’s iconic Aurora building set for renovation

Museum Paleis Het Loo wins Dutch Daylight Awards 2024

Kees Kaan inducted into the French Academy of Architecture

Museum Paleis Het Loo wins BNA Award in the category ‘Identity and Iconic Value’

Dikkie Scipio’s contribution to the academic book ‘The Palladio Method’

Construction starts on Strijp-S Matchbox in Eindhoven

KAAN Architecten contributes to Amsterdam’s architecture as new ARCAM sponsor

Dikkie Scipio’s contribution to Rolmodellen & ‘starchitects’ panel discussion

NEAC Visitor Centre in Margraten is opening soon

Dikkie Scipio honored with the “Prix des Femmes Architectes International Prize”

Opening lecture by Kees Kaan at ENSA Paris La Villette

Vancouver

Supreme Court of the Netherlands

“One mould” in Madrid

Dikkie Scipio to give a closing lecture at TU Delft BAU

Business Park Ljubljana

ARQUUS One site

Chair Introduction – autumn 2014

Dikkie Scipio on creating a platform for young architects

UAM Campus Piracicaba

Planta