Kees Kaan
Dutch architect (born 1961)
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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] Kaan argues that architecture is not an autonomous art form but a discipline grounded in social, financial, and spatial conditions.[2]
Kees Kaan | |
|---|---|
Kees Kaan (2015) | |
| Born | June 8, 1961 |
| Citizenship | Dutch |
| Alma mater | Delft University of Technology |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Awards | ARC16 Architecture Award (2016), Betonprijs (2009, 2011), Rotterdam Architecture Prize (2013) |
| Practice | Claus en Kaan Architecten (1987–2013), KAAN Architecten (2014–present) |
| Buildings | Supreme Court of the Netherlands, Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, Paleis Het Loo |
Biography
Kaan graduated in architecture from Delft University of Technology in 1987.[3] He worked with Rudy Uytenhaak before founding Claus en Kaan Architecten with Felix Claus in 1987. In 2014 he established KAAN Architecten together with Dikkie Scipio and Vincent Panhuysen.[4]
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).[5] From 2019 to 2025 he served as head of the Architecture Department.[1]
Selected projects
- Netherlands Forensic Institute, The Hague (2004)[6]
- Embassy of the Netherlands, Maputo, Mozambique (2004)[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]
Academic roles
Selected awards and recognition
- Lensvelt De Architect Interior Prize – Netherlands Forensic Institute (2005)[16]
- Betonprijs – Crematorium Heimolen (2009)[17]
- Betonprijs – AM Headquarters, Utrecht (2011)[18]
- Rotterdam Architecture Prize – Education Center Erasmus MC (2013)[19]
- ARC16 Architecture Award – Supreme Court of the Netherlands (2016)[20]
- Nominations for the Mies van der Rohe Award (2015)[21]
- Nominations for the Abe Bonnema Prize (2019)[22]
- BNA Award – Paleis Het Loo (2024)[23]
KAAN Architecten also initiated the video series MINUTES (2017–2022), which won the Dezeen Awards 2022.[24]
Kaan is a member of the Académie d'Architecture in Paris.[25][26]
Publications
- Claus en Kaan Buildings (010 Publishers, 2001)[27]
- Claus en Kaan Architecten: Ideal Standard, Buildings 1988–2009 (Prototype Editions, 2009)[28]
- Amsterdam 2050: Complex Projects (TU Delft OPEN Publishing, 2019)[29]
- PORTRAITS (Park Books, 2022)[30]
- The Courthouse: Architecture for the Public Good (nai010, 2023)[31]
- Reflections – Renewing Paleis Het Loo (nai010, 2023)[32]
- Bridging Time (nai010, 2022)[33]
Since 1994 projects by Kaan have been regularly included in the annual publication 'Architecture in the Netherlands Yearbook' over more than three decades.[34][35]