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IN Chicago studio: Speakeasy vol.II
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06 2023
A year in PORTRAITS
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of publishing our first monograph, PORTRAITS, we are hosting a special presentation of the book in Zürich in association with Park Books and ETH Zürich.
Nearly a year ago, we celebrated the launch of PORTRAITS, a significant publication that offers a unique perspective on fifteen of our major built works to date. These selected projects were portrayed as distinct characters with distinctive physiognomies, yet they belong to the same family and share similar features, hence the book’s title.
Beyond being a project overview, publishing PORTRAITS was a culmination of a research process aimed at interpreting a complex genealogy that reveals the 15 buildings not as autonomous entities but as parts of a shared vision.
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of our first monograph, we are hosting a special presentation of the book in Zürich in association with our publisher Park Books and our friends at the gta institute from ETH Zürich. Join us on 21 June at 19:00 for an engaging evening with the book editors and special guests, followed by an interactive Q&A session and celebratory drinks.
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Wed, 21 June 2023; 19.00
Never Stop Reading (Spiegelgasse 18, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland)
Speakers:
Alice Colombo (KAAN Architecten)
Kees Kaan (KAAN Architecten, TU Delft)
Tom Avermaete (gta institute, ETH Zürich)
Entry is free. Due to high interest and limited capacity we kindly ask to register your attendance at press@kaanarchitecten.com
Dikkie Scipio at ‘Finding New Freedoms’ panel in Venice
In anticipation of the opening of the Venice Biennale of Architecture, a panel titled ‘Finding New Freedoms’ will be held on May 18th at Palazzo Contarini Polignac. This panel is part of the multifaceted communication initiative called Berührungspunkte.
The panel aligns with the Biennale’s theme of ‘change,’ which is emphasized by this year’s curator, Lesley Lokko, as a means of creating a collective and relevant future. During this event, four architects will briefly share their perspectives on this question and present their visions for the future based on their own practices.
Joining the panel are Dikkie Scipio (KAAN Architecten), Robert Winkel (Mei architects and planners), Frederik Jacobs (CONIX RDBM Architects), and Ron Bakker (PLP Architecture). Together, they will explore the provocative question of whether we can define new freedoms and how we can attain them.
We invite you to join us on Thursday, May 18th at 09.30 am at Palazzo Contarini Polignac in Venice. To secure your attendance, please register for free here.
Featured image courtesy of beruehrungspunkte.de
The grand opening of Museum Paleis Het Loo
Following a grand opening ceremony in the presence of His Majesty the King on 21 April, Paleis Het Loo is now finally open for visitors.
Last Friday evening, we marked the opening of this special project with an unforgettable show featuring mesmerizing projections, live music, dance, and an array of lights.
Jorrit Lousberg/Light at Work Photography
As the guest of honour, His Majesty the King visited the extension before the show, pictured below with Dikkie Scipio, Michel van Maarseveen, Pien Harms, and Gerdi Verbeet.
Frank van Beek
Images courtesy of Paleis Het Loo.
Celebrating a MINUTES milestone with a special treat
We are thrilled to celebrate the second anniversary of our acclaimed short film series, MINUTES. These films have allowed us to delve deeper into the connection between architecture and film, and to showcase our projects in a unique and exciting way. To mark this special occasion, we are sharing the twelfth film in the series – ‘On an Immortal Being’.
Shot in the stunning Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, this film is part of a larger body of work that explores the narrative possibilities of architecture and film through a captivating vampire tale.
Directed by Jaime Levinas and created in collaboration with a talented team of artists, including Tina Makharadze, Ruben Hamelink, Nadia de Vries, and Noah Chevan, this film is a testament to the power of creative collaboration and experimentation. Watch the film on our MINUTES platform
MINUTES has received critical acclaim for its unique approach to exploring the intersection of architecture and film. Since its launch two years ago, the series has gained a significant following and has been featured in various film festivals and architecture events worldwide. Each short film in the series has been carefully crafted to showcase the beauty and complexity of the built environment in a new and captivating way.
From the film by Romain Loiseau & Tristan Soreau – To Become one
“Film and architecture have an almost uncanny bond with each other”, claims Brendan Cormier, senior curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum, noting that “it is somewhat surprising that until now, films that focus exclusively on the representation of architecture remain a relatively niche pursuit.”
From the film by From Form – Await
In his essay ‘Why are there so few films about architecture?’ Cormier marks MINUTES as a milestone on a joint historical timeline of architecture and cinema. He writes: “By commissioning these films, KAAN Architecten is doing a wonderful service for architecture culture in general. It gives space for new experiments with the portrayal of architecture on film while showing valuable ways to enrich our documentation of architecture for future generations to experience.”
As the MINUTES series continues to grow and evolve, we look forward to seeing what new stories and perspectives it will bring to the world of architecture and film.
From the film by Benita Vlok – Crafted
Visit MINUTES website to discover more information about directors, films and architectural projects.
Film credits:
Featuring: Tina Makharadze
Written and directed by: Jaime Levinas
Director of Photography: Ruben Hamelink
Line Producer: Sara Halbertsma
Creative Producer: Inge de Leeuw
Editing: Andrew Aaronson
Original music and Sound design: Noah Chevan
Words by: Nadia de Vries
Production Designer: Rosie Stapel
Setdresser: Lorien Mouyal
Propsrunner Anne van Soest
Props assistants: Freya Filarski, Anjelica Belgrave
Special props: Jos Crezee
With thanks to: Opera Ballet Flanders, Jacobs Interieur NV te Bree, ’s Zomers Bloemen Rotterdam, Antiquariaat Looijestein, Diana van de Vossenberg
Jaime Levinas is an Argentinean filmmaker based in Rotterdam. He graduated from Brooklyn College as a Fulbright grantee and Prins Bernhard Cultuur Fonds fellow. His short films Midnight Coffee (2020) and PINPIN(2021) have been selected for festivals such as Clermont-Ferrand, BAFICI, IFFR, Maryland and others.
The Courthouse – Architecture for the Public Good
We are excited to announce the release of our latest publication, “The Courthouse – Architecture for the Public Good.” Published by nai010 publishers, this book is the first and most comprehensive guide to the largest courthouse in the Netherlands.
Largely written and compiled by the building’s design team, this book offers a guided tour through original essays and articles, taking readers behind the scenes to explore the Courthouse as the ultimate gesamtkunstwerk – both a project and a process. Get your copy here.
The book includes in-depth analyses, rich illustrations, construction photographs, and technical drawings to visually document the building’s design.
In addition, the book features dialogues with client representatives, Courthouse spokespersons, and Amsterdam’s urban planners, untangling and explaining the demands of a public building, architectural conceptualisation, and public-private partnerships.
Overall, “The Courthouse – Architecture for the Public Good” calls for more open, collaborative designs built to last in the communities they serve.
The book is available for purchase online and in specialised bookstores.
Book photographs by Magdalena Wierzbicka.
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Concept: Marco Lanna, Vincent Panhuysen
Texts: Ruud Brouwers, Marten Dashorst, Hans den Hartog Jager, Kees Kaan, Marco Lanna, Vincent Panhuysen
Interviews: Louise Attema, Fokke Van Dijk, Hans Janssen, Ton Schaap, Erik Tuijp
Publisher: Marcel Witvoet, nai010 publishers, Rotterdam
Design: Alice Colombo, Isabela Fiorante
Cover photo: Sebastian van Damme
Photography: Fernando Guerra, Tom Philip Janssen, Dominique Panhuysen, Sebastian van Damme
Copy editing: Dianna Beaufort, D’Laine Camp
Prooofreading: D’Laine Camp
Translations: Dianna Beaufort
Printing and lithography: robstolk®, Amsterdam
Binding: Boekbinderij Patist, Zaltbommel
Paper: Circle print 95CIE, 115 gsm (interior), Rebello 110, 350 gsm (cover material)
1st edition, 2023
128 pages
22 x 29 cm
ISBN 978-94-6208-705-7
Paleis Het Loo opening date revealed
Paleis Het Loo is set to open its doors to visitors on April 22, 2023, following a grand opening ceremony in the presence of His Majesty the King the evening before.
In the past five years, Paleis Het Loo has undergone a significant renovation, including a newly designed extension spanning over 5000 square meters located below the Bassecour. The design was inspired by the layout and proportions baroque palace and its historic surroundings. It incorporates all the necessary facilities and spaces while expressing a grandeur that befits one of the Netherlands’ most popular and visited museums. Revisit our design here.
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Visualization by The Beauty and the Bit.
Celebrating ‘drapeau’ at JUMP
Last Friday we celebrated ‘drapeau’ for our JUMP project in Aubervilliers, Paris! This traditional French party is held to mark the completion of the building’s structure and envelope.
For those who may not know, the ‘drapeau’ is named after the flag that was traditionally placed on top of houses when construction work was completed. The celebration was organised by the contractor Eiffage and provided a wonderful opportunity to bring together all parties involved in the project and recognize the hard work and dedication of the builders, known as ‘compagnons’. We are thrilled with the progress made on JUMP and can’t wait to see the final result. Stay tuned for more updates!
Featured visualization by Kreaction, courtesy of ICADE.
KAAN Architecten among finalists for Pontevedra Museum competition
We are pleased to share that KAAN Architecten is among 5 international architecture firms selected to participate in the competition for the renovation and extension of the Santa Clara convent in the Spanish town of Pontevedra, together with our local collaborators Murado + Elvira Architects.
The goal of the new intervention is to turn the Santa Clara convent into the new headquarters for the Pontevedra Museum. At last week’s press conference, the president of the local Provincial Council stated that the renovation and extension of the convent will be one of the most ambitious cultural works in Spain and will position the Museum as a cultural and architectural reference in the world.
Other participants moving further into the second stage of the competition include Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, Kengo Kuma, David Chipperfield with Carlos Seoane and Snohetta with Alfonso Penela. Read more here.
Image source: La Voz de Galicia
‘Aging in Architecture’ – Dikkie Scipio at Bauhaus University
On February 7, 2023, Dikkie Scipio will give a lecture at the Bauhaus University in Weimar. Hers will be the closing lecture in a series dealing with the topic of ‘aging in architecture’, organized by the student initiative HORIZONTE.
Drawing from the renovation and extension of KMSKA in Antwerp, Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn and many others, Scipio’s lecture will focus on how architecture deals with the passing of time and how the process of aging develops new ways of working and coexisting within architectural practice.
Join on Tuesday, February 7, 19.00 in the AUDIMAX auditorium (Steubenstraße 6, 99423 Weimar). The lecture will also be recorded and streamed online at a later date. Watch this space for more information!
Poster design by Henry Boebst
Bridging Time – The renovation of the KMSKA
Following the recent opening of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, we are proud to present ‘Bridging Time’ published by nai010 publishers. Scroll down to get your copy!
‘Bridging Time’ chronicles the making of one of Europe’s most exciting museums in recent history. The latest renovation work and new design combine a contemporary allure with the glorious but somewhat neglected beauty of the 19th-century landmark. The renovation and extension bring together the past, the present and the future in a layered ensemble of time, architecture, history and art.
Contributions by Inge Bertels and Frederik Vandyck, Melanie Bühler, Louis De Mey, and Dikkie Scipio unveil this palimpsest of influences that shaped the museum and its setting and eventually guided our architectural intervention.
The texts are richly illustrated with original drawings, archive material, unique images, and testimonies of designers, builders and craftsmen involved in the project over the past two decades.
Following the last week’s launch with the book contributors at a festive night at the museum, ‘Bridging Time’ is now available for purchase online and in specialised bookstores.
Credits:
Texts: Inge Bertels, Melanie Bühler, Louis De Mey, Dikkie Scipio, Frederik Vandyck
Publisher: nai010 publishers, Rotterdam
Design: Alice Colombo
Cover photo: Sebastian van Damme
Photography: Stijn Bollaert, Karin Borghouts, Sebastian van Damme, Toon Grobet
Copy editing: John Kirkpatrick
Translations: John Kirkpatrick, Billy Nolan
Printing and lithography: Die Keure, Brugge
Paper: Magno Gloss 150 gr, Sirio Color Cherry 140 gr (interior), Wibalin Natural 565 Blueberry (cover material)
1st edition, 2022
Hardback
176 pages
22 x 31 cm
ISBN 978-94-6208-743-9
Book photographs by Magdalena Wierzbicka.
