KAAN Architecten is a Rotterdam, São Paulo and Paris based architectural firm operating globally and merging practical and academic expertise within the fields of architecture, urbanism and research on the built environment.

Led by Kees Kaan, Vincent Panhuysen and Dikkie Scipio, the studio consists of an international team of architects, landscape architects, urban planners, engineers, and graphic designers. KAAN Architecten believes in cross-pollination between projects and disciplines as an essential tool to fostering a critical debate within the firm.

Since their launch, the office has handled and supervised a wide range of projects, actively working within the private and the public sector, with project teams that have become increasingly multidisciplinary and dynamic. KAAN Architecten maintains a culture of constant evolution, which is essential in a rapidly changing profession. The Dutch firm seeks to uphold long-term relationships with its clients, consultants and partners.

KAAN Architecten’s projects transcend the traditional notions of scale and typology, ranging from furniture and interiors to urban development and from retail and offices to museums and buildings for health and education.

The firm expanded its international presence with satellite offices in São Paulo (2015) and Paris (2019). Both branches continue the multidisciplinary design approach set out by the Dutch headquarters.

Awards /
Publications /
Exhibitions

2021

CMA AND NACH NOMINATED FOR 2022 EU MIES AWARD

Chambre de Métiers et de l’Artisanat Hauts-De-France in Lille and New Amsterdam Courthouse in the Netherlands have received nominations for the 2022 EU Mies van der Rohe Award.

2020

CMA WINS PRIX D’ARCHITECTURES 2020

Prix d’architectures is organized by the French architectural magazine d’architectures to reward the best built projects in France over the last year. Among the 10 winning projects is the Chambre de Métiers et de l’Artisanat Hauts-De-France by KAAN Architecten and PRANLAS-DESCOURS architect & associates in Lille.

CMA WINS S.ARCH 2020 AWARD

Chambre de Métiers et de l’Artisanat Hauts-De-France has won the S.ARCH 2020 award in the category Completed project – Public/Commercial.

2019

CMA NOMINATED FOR EQUERRE D’ARGENT 2019

Chambre de Métiers et de l’Artisanat Hauts-de-France has been nominated for the prestigious Équerre d’Argent 2019 award in the category Activities. Out of over 200 applications, the jury comprised of editors of Le Moniteur and AMC nominated 20 projects, divided into five categories.

ISMO WINS TROPHÉE BÉTON PRO 2019

Among more than 200 entries, Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay is one of 10 projects awarded the Trophée béton – a prize that distinguishes architectural achievements where concrete plays a key role; honouring architects, clients and structural and prefabrication companies.

CUBE NOMINATED FOR ABE BONNEMA ARCHITECTUURPRIJS 2019

CUBE Education and Self Study Centre at Tilburg University has been nominated for the Abe Bonnema Architectuurprijs. The jury selected four buildings from the submissions that were completed in the Netherlands in the last two years (2017-2018).

UTOPIA WINS SPECIAL DEDALO MINOSSE INTERNATIONAL PRIZE 2019

Within the Dedalo Minosse International Prize 2019, the jury has awarded a Special prize by the municipality of Vicenza to the Utopia Library and Academy for Performing Arts. The award honours the client Autonoom Gemeentebedrijf Stadsontwikkeling Aalst (AGSA) for commissioning designed by KAAN Architecten through a ‘Design & Build’ project together with Groep Van Roey.

UTOPIA VOTED BEST LIBRARY OF FLANDERS AND BRUSSELS 2019/2020

Out of 6 nominated public libraries, a professional jury as well as the general public, voted Utopia Library and Academy for Performing Arts as the Best Library of Flanders and Brussels 2019/2020.

UTOPIA WINS PROVINCIALE ARCHITECTUURPRIJS OOST-VLAANDEREN 2019

The project of Utopia Library and Academy for Performing Arts has won Provinciale Architectuurprijs Oost-Vlaanderen 2019. Out of 23 submissions complying to this year’s theme of ‘Re-use and redesign of historical heritage’, a professional jury recognised the importance of this project in stimulating civic life of Aalst through successful merging of historic and modern architecture.

CREMATORIUM SIESEGEM WINS THE PLAN AWARD IN THE PUBLIC SPACE – COMPLETED CATEGORY

Crematorium Siesgem in Aalst has been awarded The Plan Award 2019 in the category Public Space – Completed. The award ceremony was held on 24 May in Milan, Italy, where project architect Walter Hoogewerf presented the project to a live jury.

 

CREMATORIUM SIESGEM WINS 1st PRIZE AT ARCHMARATHON SELECTIONS

During Archmarathon Selections at MADE expo 2019 in Milan, Crematorium Siesegem in Aalst was awarded First prize in Religious Building Category, giving the project an automatic entry to the Archmarathon Awards 2020 shortlist.

ISMO WINS ADC AWARD 2019 FOR BEST HIGH EDUCATION BUILDING IN FRANCE

Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay by KAAN Architecten in association with FRES architectes has won the ADC Award in the ‘Higher Education’ category. The ADC Awards, organized by magazines muuz and d’architectures, are aimed at recognizing the year’s most outstanding architectural achievements in France.

UTOPIA WINS FRAME PEOPLE’S VOTE 2019

The project of Utopia Library and Academy for Performing Arts has won FRAME Awards 2019 people’s vote as Best Governmental Interior of the Year. The project is the result of a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) based on a Design & Build contract, with Van Roey as main contractor and KAAN Architecten as leading architect, working in close collaboration. Utopia opened to the public in June 2018 and since then has been an important landmark for the Aalst community.

UTOPIA AND ISMO NOMINATED FOR MIES VAN DER ROHE AWARD 2019

Utopia – Library and Academy for Performing Arts in Belgium and Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay in France are among 383 international projects nominated for 2019 edition of the Mies van der Rohe Award.

2018

SUPREME COURT WINS STONE AWARD

During Marmomac International Trade Fair for Stone Design and Technology in Verona, KAAN Architecten won the Stone Award for Supreme Court project in The Hague which features pronounced use of light grey limestone within its interior.

SCHIPHOL TERMINAL WINS INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE AWARD

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Terminal won the International Architecture Award within the ‘Transportation’ category. The International Architectural Awards are the highest and most prestigious distinguished building awards program that honor new and cutting-edge design worldwide.

SCHIPHOL TERMINAL WINS THE PLAN AWARD 2018

The Italian architecture magazine The Plan launches every year The Plan Award. The new Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Terminal, designed by KL AIR (KAAN Architecten, Estudio Lamela, ABT, Ineco, with the support of Arnout Meijer Studio, DGMR and Planeground), has won 2018 Transport category.

2017

DEDALO MINOSSE INTERNATIONAL PRIZE

The Education Center Erasmus MC has been awarded an honourable mention by the Dedalo Minosse International Prize. KAAN Architecten and Erasmus MC received the prize in Vicenza (Italy) on June 23rd. On the same day an exhibition featuring all the winners was opened in the Palazzo Chiericati.

SUPREME COURT AT BORNEO ARCHITECTURE CENTER IN AMSTERDAM

Starting from March 9th, 2017, the exhibition “​Daglicht Architectuur” at the Borneo Architecture Center in Amsterdam will feature all winners of the Daylight Award including the Supreme Court of the Netherlands. The project will be presented by Vincent Panhuysen in a lecture during the opening evening.

SUPREME COURT NOMINATED FOR MIES VAN DER ROHE AWARD 2017

The Supreme Court of the Netherlands in The Hague has been nominated for the biennial European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award 2017 along with other 355 projects.

2016

A LECTURE AND EXHIBITION IN GUADALAJARA

On Tuesday December 13th, 2016 starting from 7 PM, Kees Kaan will give a lecture at Galería Tiro al Blanco, a new exhibition and cultural space in Guadalajara (Mexico). At the same time a photographic exhibition will illustrate KAAN Architecten’s projects.

WHERE MODERN JUSTICE LIVES

“Where Modern Justice Lives”, curated by architect Elsie Owusu OBE of the Supreme Court Arts Trust, will feature Supreme Court of the Netherlands by KAAN Architecten. The show will encourage visitors to reflect on the role that court buildings have in supporting public confidence in democracy and the rule of law.

SUPREME COURT WINS ARC16 ARCHITECTURE AWARD

The Supreme Court of the Netherlands in The Hague has been awarded with the annual ARC16 Architecture Award that aims to promote sustainability in the broadest sense of the word and as an integral part of the design.

SUPREME COURT AWARDED WITH LIVING DAYLIGHT AWARD 2016

The Daylight Award is a Dutch biennial prize for buildings that have a pronounced daylight quality. This year the Supreme Court of the Netherlands has been awarded thanks to its rich array of daylight aspects and to the smart strategies for artificial lighting.

NETHERLANDS EMBASSY AT BIA-AR 2016

The Bienal Internacional de Arquitectura – Argentina 2016 will take place in Cordoba (Argentina) from October 11th to 14th. The event will host 5 international speakers and it will feature 36 international works including the Netherlands Embassy in Mozambique.

NIEUW LEVEN VOOR HUIS VAN BRABANT

The dualism of then and now, the contemporary renewal by KAAN Architecten in the Maaskant spirit, have been captured in both photographs by Sebastian van Damme, and words by Ruud Brouwers. Their complementary works are now combined in the book, published by KAAN Architecten.

DE HOGE RAAD DER NEDERLANDEN

Since early 2014, Dominique Panhuysen followed the construction of the Supreme Court of the Netherlands in The Hague, producing an insightful documentation of the building process. Focusing her attention on people, traces of life and gesture, this voluminous compound is able to depict, at the same time, the beauty and the roughness of this high court complex.

2015

A MEDAL OF MERIT TO VINCENT PANHUYSEN

On November 3rd, 2015 Vincent Panhuysen received a medal of merit from the Commissioner of the King, Wim van de Donk, for the special and careful guidance in the renovation of the Provinciehuis of North-Brabant.

TOURING EXHIBITION MIES VAN DER ROHE AWARD 2015

Education Center Erasmus MC is part of the touring exhibition featuring the 40 shortlisted project of Mies van der Rohe Award 2015. Starting point, Barcelona – MUHBA Oliva Artés centre, it will then travel to Milan, Brussels, Warsaw, Vienna, Shanghai, Hong Kong and more.

2014

MIES VAN DER ROHE AWARD 2015 SHORTLIST

Education Center Erasmus MC within the 40 shortlisted projects (out of 420) of the EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award 2015.

PARIS-SACLAY. LE FUTUR EN CHANTIER(S)

Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay project is part of the exhibition “Paris-Saclay. Le Futur en Chantier(s)” at the Maison de l’architecture en Ile-de-France in Paris (November 28th – December 20th, 2014)

EUROPEAN PRIZE OF ARCHITECTURE “PHILIPPE ROTTHIER”

Philippe Rotthier Prize 2014 exhibition is featuring District Water Board Brabantse Delta at the Foundation pour l’Architecture in Brussels (October 18th – November 23rd, 2014).

THE CITY AS A VISION

The project for the City Hall Park of São Bernardo do Campo municipality in São Paolo (Brazil) is part of the exhibition “The City as a Vision” at the FRAC Centre – Les Turbulences in Orléans, France (September 19th,2014 – February 22nd, 2015).

PLANTA

Collateral Event during the 14th International Architecture Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia (June 6th – October 31st, 2014) at the Conservatorio di Musica “Benedetto Marcello”

SAINT-GOBAIN GYPSUM INTERNATIONAL TROPHY

Education Center Erasmus MC has won the 9th Saint-Gobain Gypsum International Trophy (plasterboard category) as runner-up.

2013

BENELUX ALUMINIUM AWARD

The Dreamhouse the yearly aluminium award for Sustainable Renovation projects.

ROTTERDAM ARCHITECTURE PRIZE

The Education Center Erasmus MC won the yearly prize dedicated to transformation projects, while the Dreamhouse was nominated.

LEIDEN ARCHITECTURE AWARD

The Student Dwellings won the audience award thanks to the public preference.

GYPROC TROPHY

The Education Center Erasmus MC won the bi-annual trophy for innovative roofing and façade’s solutions.

2012

3rd HONG KONG & SHENZHEN BI-CITY BIENNALE OF URBANISM AND ARCHITECTURE

KAAN participated in the only biennial exhibition in the world based exclusively on the set themes of urbanism and urbanization, and co-organized by the two neighboring and closely interacting cities of Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

2011

ECSN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETE

The Crematorium Heimolen received the special mention for the building category.

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AWARD

The Central Post won the award for the “most sustainable design” category.

CONCRETE AWARD

The AM Headquarters and its white concrete structure won the “non-residential building” category.

2009

Claus en Kaan Architecten: Ideal Standard, Buildings 1988-2009

Selection of the work of Claus en Kaan Architecten presented in a book showing an increasingly explicit and recognisable signature over the years.

CONCRETE AWARD

The Crematorium Heimolen won the concrete award for the “beton en samenleving” category.

2008

DE KEUZE (The Choice)

Inaugural speech of Kees Kaan as Professor of Architectural Design at the Delft University of Technology in 2008.

INTERNATIONAL FUNERAL AWARD

The Crematorium Heimolen first prize for the really specific funeral award.

2005

LENSVELT DE ARCHITECT INTERIOR PRIZE

The Netherlands Forensic Institute won this interiors’ award promoted by the magazine “de Architect”.

Claus en Kaan Architecten. The Royal Netherlands Embassy in 
Mozambique

The NAi Publishers said of the building: “It is an exceptional building, designed to a Dutch vision yet constructed using African materials”.

2004

Claus en Kaan. L’architettura dell’attenzione

Claus en Kaan: L’architettura dell’attenzione = Claus en Kaan: The Architecture of Attentiveness

2002

Beauftragt: Claus en Kaan Architecten

A short introduction to Claus en Kaan work.

2001

Claus en Kaan – Building

Building – for all its simplicity the title of this book speaks volumes about the work of Claus and Kaan.

1997

Claus en Kaan. New generations in the Dutch tradition

New generations in the Dutch tradition. 14 projects in chronological order depicted by photos, plans, models, sections, elevations (many technical drawings) – all in B&W.

Founders

Kees Kaan

Kees Kaan founded KAAN Architecten in 2014 together with partners Vincent Panhuysen and Dikkie Scipio. Kaan graduated in architecture at Delft University of Technology in 1987.

Kaan is Chair of the department of Complex Projects at the faculty of Architecture at Delft University of Technology since 2006. His research focuses on large complex projects that characterize rapid global urbanization. In 2019 Kaan was appointed Chairman of the Architecture Department. Moreover, he has been Principal Investigator at Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS) since 2016.

Kaan is an international lecturer and sits on various juries and boards, both in the Netherlands and abroad. Numerous books and exhibitions have been dedicated to his body of work.

Vincent Panhuysen

Vincent Panhuysen founded KAAN Architecten in 2014 together with partners Kees Kaan and Dikkie Scipio. He previously joined the office of Claus en Kaan Architecten in 1997 and became a partner in 2002.

Panhuysen began his training at the Amsterdam Technical School for Wood and Furniture Crafts, continued his studies at the School of the Arts in Utrecht and the Rotterdam Academy of Architecture. This unique education allows Panhuysen to control the entire process of building from concept to detailing. Panhuysen projects range from furniture to urban planning.

Dikkie Scipio

Dikkie Scipio has been trained in various crafts. She studied applied arts, industrial and interior design at the Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague and afterwards qualified as an architect at the Rotterdam Academy of Architecture. Simultaneously she owned a gallery in Amsterdam and a design studio in Utrecht. In 1995, she joined Claus en Kaan Architecten (later KAAN Architecten) and became a partner in 2002. Scipio’s training allows her to lead work, ranging from large-scale master plans in urbanism and architecture to furniture and interior design, from initial concept to execution. She is an expert in complex projects and processes focusing on museums and renovating heritage. Scipio is also a writer, columnist, international lecturer, and member of several boards and juries. As a spokeswoman for integrated art and craftsmanship in architecture, her views have been featured in many publications and documentaries. Since 2019 she has been a professor at the Münster University of Applied Sciences, where she holds a chair in Architectural Design.

Team

General Managing Director: Renata Gilio

Director France: Marylène Gallon

Director Brazil: Marco Peixe D’Elia

Managing Architects: Timo Cardol, Marco Lanna, Hrvoje Šmidihen, Aldo Trim

Bridggit Agyeman / Ekin Arin / Allard Assies / Bas Barendse / Ridaa Belboukhaddaoui / Pooja Bhave / Eline Blom / Diana Boogaart / Sjoerd Boomars / Jasper van Boxtel / Dennis Bruijn / Timo Cardol / Alice Colombo / Javier Cuartero / Sebastian van Damme / Marco Peixe D’Elia / Luuk Dietz / Eli Dorsman / Stijn Drolenga / Maartje Eggink / Maria Finagina / Raluca Firicel / Christiaan Frankin / Marylène Gallon / Michael Geensen / Juliana Generoso / Renata Gilio / Lisa Goes / Martin Grech / Narine Gyulkhasyan / Thomas Hagemeijer / Maruli Heijman / Walter Hoogerwerf / Aleksandar Hrib / Sophie Ize / Aida Jalili / Jan Teunis ten Kate / Bo Kuiper / Wouter Langeveld / Marco Lanna / Antony Laurijsen / Christine Lie / Yinghao Lin / Julia Linde-van den Heuvel / Tom van Lint / Nicki van Loon / Ricardo Marmorato / Jannik Niewiadomski / Damien Nuyts Roussel / Hannes Ochmann / Natalia Poli / Ivan Potapenko / Agata Proniak / Giacomo Rizzi / Elia Salcedo / Edwin Scharringa / Amir Shokouhi / Joeri Spijkers / Hrvoje Šmidihen / Olga Surogina / Aldo Trim / Clémence Vallée / Michalina Wawro / Magdalena Wierzbicka / Jelmer van Zalingen / Samara Zukoski