Kees Kaan
| Kees Kaan | |
|---|---|
 Kees_Kaan.jpg Kees Kaan (2015) | |
| Born | June 8, 1961 Breda, Netherlands |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Dutch |
| 🎓 Alma mater | Delft University of Technology |
| 💼 Occupation | Architect |
| 🏅 Awards | ARC16 Architecture Award (2016), Betonprijs (2009, 2011), Rotterdam Architecture Prize (2013) |
Kees Kaan (born 8 June 1961) is a Dutch architect and professor of architectural design at the Delft University of Technology. He co-founded Claus en Kaan Architecten and, since 2014, is founding partner of KAAN Architecten in Rotterdam.[1]
Biography
Kaan graduated in architecture from Delft University of Technology in 1987.[2] He worked with Van den Broek en Bakema and Rudy Uytenhaak before founding Claus en Kaan Architecten with Felix Claus in 1987.[citation needed] In 2014 he established KAAN Architecten together with Dikkie Scipio and Vincent Panhuysen.[citation needed]
He has been professor at TU Delft since 2006, first holding the Chair of Materialisation (2006–2012) and later the Chair of Complex Projects (2012–present).[citation needed] From 2019 to 2025 he served as head of the Architecture Department.[1]
Design philosophy
Kaan argues that architecture is not an autonomous art form but a discipline grounded in social, financial, and spatial conditions. His motto aligns with the idea that "design is how it works."
In later work he developed a narrative design philosophy, articulated in the research program and book Building Narratives. Here, presentations – with drawings, diagrams, and texts – are used not only as communication tools but also as design instruments to navigate complex projects and support decision-making.[3]
Selected projects
- Netherlands Forensic Institute, The Hague (2004)[4]
- Embassy of the Netherlands, Maputo, Mozambique (2004)[5]
- Crematorium Heimolen, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium (2008)[6]
- Breda City Hall (2013)[7]
- Education Center, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam (2013)[8]
- Supreme Court of the Netherlands, The Hague (2015)[9]
- Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, Belgium (renovation, 2022)[10]
- Paleis Het Loo, Apeldoorn (underground extension, 2023)[11]
- Amsterdam Courthouse (2020)[12]
- New Terminal Schiphol Airport (ongoing)[13]
- Paul-Henri Spaak Building, European Parliament, Brussels (renovation, ongoing)[14]
Academic roles
- Professor of Materialisation, TU Delft (2006–2012)
- Professor of Complex Projects, TU Delft (2012–present)
- Head of the Department of Architecture, TU Delft (2019–2025)
- Principal Investigator, AMS Institute (2016–present)[15]
Awards and recognition (selection)
- Lensvelt De Architect Interior Prize – Netherlands Forensic Institute (2005)
- Betonprijs – Crematorium Heimolen (2009)
- Betonprijs – AM Headquarters, Utrecht (2011)
- Rotterdam Architecture Prize – Education Center Erasmus MC (2013)
- ARC16 Architecture Award – Supreme Court of the Netherlands (2016)
- Nominations for the Mies van der Rohe Award (2005, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021)
- Nominations for the Abe Bonnema Prize (2019, 2023)
- Dedalo Minosse Prize (2019)
- European Cultural Heritage Award – KMSKA, Antwerp (2021)
- BNA Award – Paleis Het Loo (2024)
Kaan is a member of the Académie d’Architecture in Paris.[16]
Publications
- Claus en Kaan Buildings (010 Publishers, 2001)[17]
- Claus en Kaan Architecten: Ideal Standard, Buildings 1988–2009 (Prototype Editions, 2009)[18]
- PORTRAITS (Park Books, 2022)[19]
- The Courthouse: Architecture for the Public Good (nai010, 2023)[20]
- Reflections – Renewing Paleis Het Loo (nai010, 2023)[21]
- Bridging Time (nai010, 2022)[22]
- Building Narratives (forthcoming, TU Delft/KAAN, 2025)[3]
KAAN Architecten also initiated the video series MINUTES (2017–2022), which won the Dezeen Awards 2022.[23] His work has been regularly featured in the annual publication Architecture in the Netherlands Yearbook since its inception.[24]
Exhibitions (selection)
- Venice Biennale of Architecture (2002, 2004, 2014)
- Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture Shenzhen (2012, 2019)
- Istanbul Design Biennial (2016)
- Flanders Architecture Institute, Antwerp (2015, 2022)
- ARCAM Amsterdam (2018)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 TU Delft – Profile Kees Kaan
- ↑ CV Kees Kaan, 2025
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 KAAN Architecten/TU Delft, Building Narratives (forthcoming, 2025)
- ↑ De Architect, 2004
- ↑ NAi Publishers, 2004
- ↑ Betonprijs 2009
- ↑ Architectenweb, 2013
- ↑ Rotterdam Architecture Prize, 2013
- ↑ ARC16 Architecture Award, 2016
- ↑ EMYA, 2024
- ↑ BNA Award, 2024
- ↑ nai010, 2023
- ↑ Schiphol Group
- ↑ European Parliament
- ↑ AMS Institute – Principal Investigators
- ↑ Académie d’Architecture – Members list
- ↑ 010 Publishers
- ↑ Prototype Editions
- ↑ Park Books
- ↑ nai010
- ↑ nai010
- ↑ nai010
- ↑ Dezeen Awards 2022
- ↑ NAi / Yearbook Architecture in the Netherlands
External links
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