CK
C.H.C.F. Kaan
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1
In contemporary practice, design extends far beyond the invention of form. Projects unfold through dense constellations of actors, institutions, and technologies. Drawings, models, and presentations span multiple disciplines, enabling different forms of reasoning to converge. The architect’s task is no longer limited to producing objects, but now extends to maintaining coherence across these exchanges – translating between technical systems, social values, and civic ambitions.
...
In contemporary practice, design extends far beyond the invention of form. Projects unfold through dense constellations of actors, institutions, and technologies. Drawings, models, and presentations span multiple disciplines, enabling different forms of reasoning to converge. The architect’s task is no longer limited to producing objects, but now extends to maintaining coherence across these exchanges – translating between technical systems, social values, and civic ambitions.
Conference paper
(2026)
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M. Triggianese, Juan Sádaba, Lee Moreau, Paolo Ciuccarelli, C.H.C.F. Kaan, Georg Vrachliotis, María Risueño
Architecture extends far beyond the design of buildings and cities, engaging with environmental, technological, and societal challenges. As practice evolves, so must the research that supports it. This theme track examines architecture’s expanding role in collaboration, communication, and service, positioning it as a research-driven discipline and a tool for inquiry, innovation, and responsiveness to communities and stakeholders. Operating across systems, social processes, and technological infrastructures, architecture is increasingly understood as an interdisciplinary practice. The track strengthens Architectural Design Research by addressing its evolving methodologies and its role in knowledge production. Contributions explore co-creation, artificial intelligence, data as design material, and practice-based approaches, alongside theoretical reflections on design processes. Together, the papers frame architecture as an open, relational, and collective mode of inquiry, in which architects act not as sole authors but as participants in dynamic networks of actors, tools, and knowledge.
...
Architecture extends far beyond the design of buildings and cities, engaging with environmental, technological, and societal challenges. As practice evolves, so must the research that supports it. This theme track examines architecture’s expanding role in collaboration, communication, and service, positioning it as a research-driven discipline and a tool for inquiry, innovation, and responsiveness to communities and stakeholders. Operating across systems, social processes, and technological infrastructures, architecture is increasingly understood as an interdisciplinary practice. The track strengthens Architectural Design Research by addressing its evolving methodologies and its role in knowledge production. Contributions explore co-creation, artificial intelligence, data as design material, and practice-based approaches, alongside theoretical reflections on design processes. Together, the papers frame architecture as an open, relational, and collective mode of inquiry, in which architects act not as sole authors but as participants in dynamic networks of actors, tools, and knowledge.
Building Narratives
Instances from the Architecture Dialogue
The book explores how architectural design has evolved from the production of form into a communicative and strategic practice. Rather than approaching architecture as a fixed end result, the publication positions design as an active framework through which knowledge, negotiation and collaboration are organised.
Structured around three major projects by KAAN Architecten – the redevelopment of SPOT, the Amsterdam Courthouse and the Schiphol Terminal competition – the book investigates how architecture operates within increasingly complex political, economic and institutional realities. Processes of representation, integration and public communication become central to the act of designing itself.
Combining essays, project analysis and visual documentation, ‘Building Narratives’ reflects on architecture’s shifting role in a context shaped by neoliberal transformation, financial uncertainty and digital culture. The publication proposes architectural design not only as a spatial practice, but as a medium capable of structuring dialogue between stakeholders, institutions and the public realm. ...
Structured around three major projects by KAAN Architecten – the redevelopment of SPOT, the Amsterdam Courthouse and the Schiphol Terminal competition – the book investigates how architecture operates within increasingly complex political, economic and institutional realities. Processes of representation, integration and public communication become central to the act of designing itself.
Combining essays, project analysis and visual documentation, ‘Building Narratives’ reflects on architecture’s shifting role in a context shaped by neoliberal transformation, financial uncertainty and digital culture. The publication proposes architectural design not only as a spatial practice, but as a medium capable of structuring dialogue between stakeholders, institutions and the public realm. ...
The book explores how architectural design has evolved from the production of form into a communicative and strategic practice. Rather than approaching architecture as a fixed end result, the publication positions design as an active framework through which knowledge, negotiation and collaboration are organised.
Structured around three major projects by KAAN Architecten – the redevelopment of SPOT, the Amsterdam Courthouse and the Schiphol Terminal competition – the book investigates how architecture operates within increasingly complex political, economic and institutional realities. Processes of representation, integration and public communication become central to the act of designing itself.
Combining essays, project analysis and visual documentation, ‘Building Narratives’ reflects on architecture’s shifting role in a context shaped by neoliberal transformation, financial uncertainty and digital culture. The publication proposes architectural design not only as a spatial practice, but as a medium capable of structuring dialogue between stakeholders, institutions and the public realm.
Structured around three major projects by KAAN Architecten – the redevelopment of SPOT, the Amsterdam Courthouse and the Schiphol Terminal competition – the book investigates how architecture operates within increasingly complex political, economic and institutional realities. Processes of representation, integration and public communication become central to the act of designing itself.
Combining essays, project analysis and visual documentation, ‘Building Narratives’ reflects on architecture’s shifting role in a context shaped by neoliberal transformation, financial uncertainty and digital culture. The publication proposes architectural design not only as a spatial practice, but as a medium capable of structuring dialogue between stakeholders, institutions and the public realm.
Space, Time, and Affordance
Experimenting with computational methods to visualize human-building interaction
Despite growing interest in human-building interaction (HBI) studies to improve performance and comfort in building operations, existing architectural design and representation methods primarily focus on static layouts and material forms, overlooking the spatio-temporal, invisible characteristics of interactions. This paper proposes a novel visualization method grounded on affordance theory, dynamic network graphs to computationally model HBI in Grasshopper. Using a multipurpose educational space as a case study, the study illustrates a multilayered workflow that visualizes material components, immaterial affordances, and dynamic multimodal interactions in three programmatic scenarios. Resulting representations and animations spatialize the footprint, distribution, and modalities of afforded interactions in relationship with occupant patterns. This scenario-based, computationally-driven HBI model supports the qualitative assessment and strategic allocation of sensing, actuation, and control interfaces, identifying spatial opportunities and challenges. This study offers an architecturally informed HBI visualization framework to enhance interdisciplinary communication and critical early-stage decisions in designing responsive environments.
...
Despite growing interest in human-building interaction (HBI) studies to improve performance and comfort in building operations, existing architectural design and representation methods primarily focus on static layouts and material forms, overlooking the spatio-temporal, invisible characteristics of interactions. This paper proposes a novel visualization method grounded on affordance theory, dynamic network graphs to computationally model HBI in Grasshopper. Using a multipurpose educational space as a case study, the study illustrates a multilayered workflow that visualizes material components, immaterial affordances, and dynamic multimodal interactions in three programmatic scenarios. Resulting representations and animations spatialize the footprint, distribution, and modalities of afforded interactions in relationship with occupant patterns. This scenario-based, computationally-driven HBI model supports the qualitative assessment and strategic allocation of sensing, actuation, and control interfaces, identifying spatial opportunities and challenges. This study offers an architecturally informed HBI visualization framework to enhance interdisciplinary communication and critical early-stage decisions in designing responsive environments.
Building Adaptability and Urban Regeneration
A Discourse Analysis in the Built Environment
As the world population continues to grow,1 cities face unprecedented challenges in accommodating their spatial needs in a context of climate and social crisis. Recognising that urban areas are complex networks of buildings, services and infrastructures that evolve over time,2 plagued by obsolescence, there is a growing interest in adaptability in both academic and professional discourse. Yet, the link between spatial adaptability in architecture and urban sprawl impacting city liveability remains unclear, as the predominant focus remains on component reuse rather than addressing obsolescence holistically within the urban realm. […]
...
As the world population continues to grow,1 cities face unprecedented challenges in accommodating their spatial needs in a context of climate and social crisis. Recognising that urban areas are complex networks of buildings, services and infrastructures that evolve over time,2 plagued by obsolescence, there is a growing interest in adaptability in both academic and professional discourse. Yet, the link between spatial adaptability in architecture and urban sprawl impacting city liveability remains unclear, as the predominant focus remains on component reuse rather than addressing obsolescence holistically within the urban realm. […]
The curators of this wonderful publication asked me to reflect on the gizmo catalogue, a fantastic section of the book. It features a range of objects, from astronaut suits and spacecrafts to pens and printers, beautifully drawn in scales 1:200, 1:200 or 1:20, and 1:2, with top and side views. Any reflection on data, AI, new technology versus proven technology, or the transition from analogue to digital generally raises more questions than answers. My contribution to this book does the same. [...]
...
The curators of this wonderful publication asked me to reflect on the gizmo catalogue, a fantastic section of the book. It features a range of objects, from astronaut suits and spacecrafts to pens and printers, beautifully drawn in scales 1:200, 1:200 or 1:20, and 1:2, with top and side views. Any reflection on data, AI, new technology versus proven technology, or the transition from analogue to digital generally raises more questions than answers. My contribution to this book does the same. [...]
“Densification” is an inevitable trend of modern urban development. The blend and apposition of new extension with historical environment would be an important feature of cities in the next age, which would further bring about the discussion and speculation on historical value and contemporaneity. As a typical representative of high-density countries, in the last decade, the Netherlands has performed outstanding in the adaptive transformation of the built environment. Based on the interview with Prof. Kees Kaan, the founder architect of KAAN Architecten, this paper makes an in-depth analysis of the stand and method of Dutch architects facing the complex historical environment. The interview focuses particularly on transformation and renovation strategies, heritage values and practical experience, with a view to obtaining traceable research clues on design involvement in the issues of preservation and renewal.
...
“Densification” is an inevitable trend of modern urban development. The blend and apposition of new extension with historical environment would be an important feature of cities in the next age, which would further bring about the discussion and speculation on historical value and contemporaneity. As a typical representative of high-density countries, in the last decade, the Netherlands has performed outstanding in the adaptive transformation of the built environment. Based on the interview with Prof. Kees Kaan, the founder architect of KAAN Architecten, this paper makes an in-depth analysis of the stand and method of Dutch architects facing the complex historical environment. The interview focuses particularly on transformation and renovation strategies, heritage values and practical experience, with a view to obtaining traceable research clues on design involvement in the issues of preservation and renewal.
Undoubtedly there is an unbreakable relation between the changes in human mobility and the appearance of our cities. A town for pedestrians and horses has different physical characteristics than our contemporary city. Over centuries, European cities have developed into what they are now, strongly influenced by military, political, cultural and economic logic. For example, the traces of the water city are still apparent today in many Dutch cities, where canals once served as the main transport system. [...]
...
Undoubtedly there is an unbreakable relation between the changes in human mobility and the appearance of our cities. A town for pedestrians and horses has different physical characteristics than our contemporary city. Over centuries, European cities have developed into what they are now, strongly influenced by military, political, cultural and economic logic. For example, the traces of the water city are still apparent today in many Dutch cities, where canals once served as the main transport system. [...]
Ontspannen waardigheid
KAAN Architecten ontwerpt nieuwbouw voor Tilburg University
KAAN Architecten en bouwonderneming VORM maken een groot nieuw gebouw op de campus van Tilburg University. Met het Onderwijs- en Zelfstudiecentrum (OZC), 11.000 vierkante meter vloeroppervlak, wil de universiteit de studenten beter faciliteren en daarmee de kwaliteit van onderwijs verder verhogen. Het gebouw zal het BREEAM Excellent-label dragen, het hoogst haalbare op het gebied van duurzaamheid. Najaar 2017 moet de oplevering plaatsvinden.
‘KAAN Architecten and the building firm VORM are together creating a large new building on the Tilburg University campus. With 11,000 square metres of floor area, the university’s Teaching and Self-Study Centre (OZC) is intended to offer students better facilities and hence further improve the quality of education. The building will have BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘Excellent’ certification, the maximum achievable level of sustainability. Completion is scheduled for autumn 2017. ...
‘KAAN Architecten and the building firm VORM are together creating a large new building on the Tilburg University campus. With 11,000 square metres of floor area, the university’s Teaching and Self-Study Centre (OZC) is intended to offer students better facilities and hence further improve the quality of education. The building will have BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘Excellent’ certification, the maximum achievable level of sustainability. Completion is scheduled for autumn 2017. ...
KAAN Architecten en bouwonderneming VORM maken een groot nieuw gebouw op de campus van Tilburg University. Met het Onderwijs- en Zelfstudiecentrum (OZC), 11.000 vierkante meter vloeroppervlak, wil de universiteit de studenten beter faciliteren en daarmee de kwaliteit van onderwijs verder verhogen. Het gebouw zal het BREEAM Excellent-label dragen, het hoogst haalbare op het gebied van duurzaamheid. Najaar 2017 moet de oplevering plaatsvinden.
‘KAAN Architecten and the building firm VORM are together creating a large new building on the Tilburg University campus. With 11,000 square metres of floor area, the university’s Teaching and Self-Study Centre (OZC) is intended to offer students better facilities and hence further improve the quality of education. The building will have BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘Excellent’ certification, the maximum achievable level of sustainability. Completion is scheduled for autumn 2017.
‘KAAN Architecten and the building firm VORM are together creating a large new building on the Tilburg University campus. With 11,000 square metres of floor area, the university’s Teaching and Self-Study Centre (OZC) is intended to offer students better facilities and hence further improve the quality of education. The building will have BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘Excellent’ certification, the maximum achievable level of sustainability. Completion is scheduled for autumn 2017.
Relaxed dignity
KAAN designs new building for Tilburg University
‘KAAN Architecten and the building firm VORM are together creating a large new building on the Tilburg University campus. With 11,000 square metres of floor area, the university’s Teaching and Self-Study Centre (OZC) is intended to offer students better facilities and hence further improve the quality of education. The building will have BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘Excellent’ certification, the maximum achievable level of sustainability. Completion is scheduled for autumn 2017.
The KAAN Architecten design shows an OZC that is square and fairly low, like various other buildings on the campus. This means it will fit in well among the trees and the other buildings. Yet it is substantially different from the square central Cobbenhagen building, the former Catholic College of Economics that formed the basis for the university back in the early 1960s. Whereas with its two courtyards the enclosed structure by architect Jos. Bedaux (1910-1989) brought the landscape inside the building, KAAN Architecten’s centre will blend into it. Abundant daylight and radical perspectives will allow the building and its surroundings to merge. The study areas will be enclosed in the same way as a woodland clearing. ...
The KAAN Architecten design shows an OZC that is square and fairly low, like various other buildings on the campus. This means it will fit in well among the trees and the other buildings. Yet it is substantially different from the square central Cobbenhagen building, the former Catholic College of Economics that formed the basis for the university back in the early 1960s. Whereas with its two courtyards the enclosed structure by architect Jos. Bedaux (1910-1989) brought the landscape inside the building, KAAN Architecten’s centre will blend into it. Abundant daylight and radical perspectives will allow the building and its surroundings to merge. The study areas will be enclosed in the same way as a woodland clearing. ...
‘KAAN Architecten and the building firm VORM are together creating a large new building on the Tilburg University campus. With 11,000 square metres of floor area, the university’s Teaching and Self-Study Centre (OZC) is intended to offer students better facilities and hence further improve the quality of education. The building will have BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘Excellent’ certification, the maximum achievable level of sustainability. Completion is scheduled for autumn 2017.
The KAAN Architecten design shows an OZC that is square and fairly low, like various other buildings on the campus. This means it will fit in well among the trees and the other buildings. Yet it is substantially different from the square central Cobbenhagen building, the former Catholic College of Economics that formed the basis for the university back in the early 1960s. Whereas with its two courtyards the enclosed structure by architect Jos. Bedaux (1910-1989) brought the landscape inside the building, KAAN Architecten’s centre will blend into it. Abundant daylight and radical perspectives will allow the building and its surroundings to merge. The study areas will be enclosed in the same way as a woodland clearing.
The KAAN Architecten design shows an OZC that is square and fairly low, like various other buildings on the campus. This means it will fit in well among the trees and the other buildings. Yet it is substantially different from the square central Cobbenhagen building, the former Catholic College of Economics that formed the basis for the university back in the early 1960s. Whereas with its two courtyards the enclosed structure by architect Jos. Bedaux (1910-1989) brought the landscape inside the building, KAAN Architecten’s centre will blend into it. Abundant daylight and radical perspectives will allow the building and its surroundings to merge. The study areas will be enclosed in the same way as a woodland clearing.