KAAN Architecten

KAAN Architecten is a Rotterdam, São Paulo and Paris based architectural firm that operates in a global context while 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 become increasingly multidisciplinary and dynamic. KAAN Architecten maintains a culture of constant evolution, which is essential in a profession that changes at a rapid pace. 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), led by Renata Gilio and Marylène Gallon respectively. Both branches continue the multidisciplinary design approach set out by the Dutch headquarters.

Partners
Kees Kaan, Vincent Panhuysen and Dikkie Scipio founded KAAN Architecten in 2014.

Kees Kaan
From 1988 until 2013, Kees Kaan was the founding partner of Claus en Kaan Architecten. Kaan graduated at the Faculty of Architecture TU Delft in 1987. Since 2006 he has been professor of Architectural Design at TU Delft and initiator of the Complex Projects Chair, launched in 2012. The Chair’s research focuses on large-scale projects that characterize this era of 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. Kees Kaan is a lecturer and member of various juries and boards, both in the Netherlands and abroad. Numerous books and exhibitions have been dedicated to his body of work.

Vincent Panhuyse
Vincent Panhuysen joined Claus en Kaan Architecten in 1997 and became partner in 2002. In 2014 he founded KAAN Architecten together with Kees Kaan and Dikkie Scipio. 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 exercise control over the entire building process, from concept to detailing.

Dikkie Scipio
Dikkie Scipio joined Claus en Kaan Architecten in 1995 and became partner in 2002. In 2014 she founded KAAN Architecten together with Kees Kaan and Vincent Panhuysen. Scipio studied applied arts and interior design at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague after which she was trained as an architect at the Rotterdam Academy of Architecture. Scipio’s training allows her to lead work, which ranges in scale from large-scale master plans to furniture and interior design, from initial concept to execution.

Dikkie Scipio was recently appointed Professor of Architectural Design at Münster University of Applied Sciences.

2018 Crematorium Siesegem, Aalst (BE)
2018 CUBE – Education and Self Study Centre, Tilburg (NL)
2018 Utopia – Library and Academy for Performing Arts, Aalst (BE)
2018 Universidade Anhembi Morumbi Campus, São José dos Campos and Piracicaba (BR)
2018 ISMO – Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d'Orsay, Paris (FR)
2017 B30 – Bezuidenhoutseweg 30, The Hague (NL)
2016 De Bank – KAAN Architecten office, Rotterdam (NL)
2016 Supreme Court of the Netherlands, The Hague (NL)
2015 Provinciehuis of North Brabant, 's-Hertogenbosch (NL)
2013 Education Centre Erasmus MC, Rotterdam (NL)
2010 District Water Board Brabantse Delta, Breda (NL)
2008 Crematorium Heimolen, Sint-Niklaas (BE)
2004 Netherlands Forensic Institute, The Hague (NL)
2004 Dutch Embassy, Maputo (MZ)

2019 Chamber of Trades and Crafts Hauts-De-France, Lille (FR)
2019 De Bijenkorf, Amsterdam (NL)
2019 GUZ – Geo- und Umweltforschnungszentrum, Tübingen (DE)
2020 New Amsterdam Courthouse, Amsterdam (NL)
2020 Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp (BE)
2021 Museum Paleis Het Loo, Apeldoorn (NL)
2023 Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Terminal, Schiphol (NL)

KAAN Architecten. CUBE – Education and Self Study Centre. Rotterdam: KAAN Architecten, 2019

KAAN Architecten. Crematorium Siesegem. Rotterdam: KAAN Architecten, 2018

KAAN Architecten. ISMO – Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay. Rotterdam: KAAN Architecten, 2018

KAAN Architecten. Universidade Anhembi Morumbi. Rotterdam: KAAN Architecten, 2018

KAAN Architecten. UTOPIA as built. Rotterdam: KAAN Architecten, 2018

KAAN Architecten. B30. Rotterdam: KAAN Architecten, 2017

Panhuysen, D., KAAN Architecten. De Hoge Raad der Nederlanden – under construction. Rotterdam: KAAN Architecten, 2016

KAAN Architecten. Supreme Court of the Netherlands. Rotterdam: KAAN Architecten, 2016

Brouwers, R., KAAN Architecten. Nieuw leven voor Huis van Brabant, Rotterdam: KAAN Architecten, 2016

KAAN Architecten. Education Centre Erasmus MC. Rotterdam: KAAN Architecten, 2014

Berg, J., Ibelings, H. Claus en Kaan Architecten: Ideal Standard, Buildings 1988-2009. Amsterdam: Prototype Editions, 2009

KAAN Architecten. Crematorium Heimolen. Rotterdam: KAAN Architecten, 2008

Forjaz, J., Gaunt, R., Ibelings, H. Claus en Kaan Architecten: The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Mozambique. Rotterdam: NAi Publishers, 2005

Costanzo, M. Claus en Kaan. Turin: Edilstampa, 2004

Ibelings, H. Claus en Kaan: Building. Rotterdam/Beijing: NAi Publishers, 2004

Yamamoto, R. Beauftragt: Claus en Kaan Architecten. Berlin: Aedes, 2001

Michel, H. Claus en Kaan. Haarlem: ABC Architectuurcentrum, 2000

Ferrater, C. Claus en Kaan: New generations in the Dutch tradition. Barcelona: Editorial GG, 1999

2019 Nomination Environment & Energy Award (Sustainable Building Award), Utopia
2019 Winner The PLAN Award (Public space – Completed projects), Crematorium Siesegem
2019 Finalist The PLAN Award (Education – Completed projects), ISMO
2019 Finalist The PLAN Award (Culture – Completed projects), Utopia
2019 Winner Archmarathon Selections 2019 (Religious Building), Crematorium Siesegem
2019 Winner ADC Awards (Higher Education), ISMO
2019 Finalist ArchDaily Building of the Year (Religious Architecture), Crematorium Siesegem
2019 Winner Frame Awards (Governmental Interior of the Year – Public’s Choice), Utopia
2019 Nomination European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, Utopia
2019 Nomination European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, ISMO
2019 Shortlist Saint-Gobain Prize for Sustainable Architecture, Campus UAM Piracicaba
2018 Shortlist AR Library Awards, Education Centre Erasmus MC
2018 Shortlist 2A Europe Architecture Award, Supreme Court of the Netherlands
2018 Nomination Oscar Niemeyer Award, Campus UAM Piracicaba
2018 Winner International Architecture Awards, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Terminal
2018 Winner Marmomac Stone Award, Supreme Court of the Netherlands
2018 Nomination NRP Gulden Feniks (Renovatie), B30
2018 Winner The PLAN Award (Transport – Future projects), Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Terminal
2018 Finalist The PLAN Award (Office & Business – Completed projects), Supreme Court of the Netherlands
2018 Finalist The PLAN Award (Renovation – Completed projects), B30
2018 Special mention AIT Awards, Supreme Court of the Netherlands
2018 Shortlist BREEAM Awards (Public Projects), CUBE
2018 Nomination Nieuwe Berlagevlag, B30
2018 Shortlist Saint-Gobain Prize for Sustainable Architecture (Future projects), Campus UAM Piracicaba
2018 Winner Frame Awards (Governmental Interior of the Year – Public’s Choice), B30
2017 Nomination ARC17, B30
2017 Silver Medal XII International Prize for Sustainable Architecture Fassa Bortolo, Supreme Court of the Netherlands
2017 Winner Partnerships Awards (Best Social Infrastructure Project), New Amsterdam Courthouse
2017 Shortlist A.PRIZE Architecture d’essai, Education Centre Erasmus MC
2017 Mention Dedalo Minosse Prize, Education Centre Erasmus MC
2017 Nomination European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, Supreme Court of the Netherlands
2017 Nomination De Nederlandse Bouwprijs, Supreme Court of the Netherlands
2016 Winner Living Daylight Award, Supreme Court of the Netherlands
2016 Winner ARC16 Architecture Award, Supreme Court of the Netherlands
2016 Shortlist Simon Architecture Prize, Provinciehuis of North-Brabant
2016 Selection ArchMarathon Award, Supreme Court of the Netherlands
2015 Shortlist European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, Education Centre Erasmus MC
2015 Nomination BAI Bossche Architectuurprijs, Castle Beeckendael
2014 Nomination European Aluminium Award, Dreamhouse
2014 Nomination Philippe Rotthier Prize, District Water Board Brabantse Delta
2014 Nomination ArchDaily Building of the Year, Education Centre Erasmus MC
2014 Runner-up 9th Saint-Gobain Gypsum International Trophy, Education Centre Erasmus MC
2014 Nomination Daylight Award, Education Centre Erasmus MC
2013 Winner Benelux Aluminium Award for Sustainable Renovation, Dreamhouse
2013 Winner Rotterdam Architecture Prize, Education Centre Erasmus MC
2013 Winner Gyproc Trophy, Education Centre Erasmus MC
2013 Winner Leiden Architecture Award (Audience Award), Student Dwellings
2013 Nomination Rietveld Award, AM Headquarters
2013 Nomination Rotterdam Architecture Prize, Dreamhouse
2013 Nomination Reynaers Project Prize, Dreamhouse
2011 Winner Betonprijs, AM Headquarters
2011 Winner Sustainable Architecture Award (Most Sustainable Design), Central Post
2010 Special mention ECSN Award for Excellence in Concrete (Building), Crematorium Heimolen
2010 Shortlist Rotterdam Architecture Award, Central Post
2009 Winner Betonprijs (Beton en Samenleving), Crematorium Heimolen
2008 Winner International Funeral Award, Crematorium Heimolen
2005 Winner Lensvelt De Architect Interior Prize, Netherlands Forensic Institute
2001 Winner Best Designed Book Award, monography Claus en Kaan Building

2018 2A Continental Architectural Awards Exhibition, IAAC, Barcelona (ES)
2018 Model Agency, ARCAM, Amsterdam (NL)
2018 A look into aviation terminals of the future, The Base, Schiphol (NL)

2017 Dedalo Minosse Prize Exhibition, Palazzo Chiericati, Vicenza (IT)
2017 Daglicht Architectuur, Borneo Architecture Centre, Amsterdam (NL)

2016 One Mould, Galería Tiro al Blanco, Guadalajara (MX)
2016 Where modern justice lives, United Kingdom Supreme Court, London (UK)
2016 Procesos, Bienal Internacional de Arquitectura de Argentina, Córdoba (AR)
2016 Are we human?, Istanbul Design Biennial, Istanbul (TR)
2016 EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, Wroclaw Architecture Centre, Wroclaw (PL) / Architektur Zentrum Wien, Vienna (AT) / DAM, Frankfurt (DE) / La Triennale di Milano, Milan (IT)

2015 EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, MUHBA Oliva Artes Centre, Barcelona (ES) / BOZAR, Brussels (BE) / Wroclaw Architecture Centre, Wroclaw (PL)
2015 Belgian Architecture, VAI – Flemish Architecture Institute, Antwerp (BE)

2014 PLANTA Collateral Event, 14th International Architecture Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia, Venice (IT)
2014 City as a Vision: tribute to Michel Ragon – Frac Centre: Les Turbulences, Orléans (FR)
2014 Philippe Rotthier Prize, CIVA – Fondation pour l’Architecture, Brussels (BE)
2014 Paris-Saclay, le Futur en Chantier(s) – La Maison de l’Architecture en Île de France, Paris (FR)

2012 3rd Hong Kong & Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture, Shenzhen (CN)

2011 Museums in the 21st Century: Ideas Projects Buildings, Antwerp (BE)

2007 1st Architecture Triennale, Lisbon (PT)

2004 9th International Architecture Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia, Venice (IT)

2003 Beauftragt, Aedes West, Berlin (DE)

2002 8th International Architecture Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia, Venice (IT)

2001 Minimalismos, Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid (ES)

2000 Dutchtown - Aedes East, Berlin (DE)
2000 4th International Bienal de Arquitectura, São Paulo (BR)

1998 Claus en Kaan Architecten – ABC Architectuurcentrum, Haarlem (NL)

1994 Bienal de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Zaragoza (ES)

1993 Premio Internazionale Andrea Palladio, Vicenza (IT)