Prof. ir. C.H.C.F. Kaan

Architecture (A) | Architectural Design
Chair of Relation to practice

Kees Kaan (1961) has been a practice professor of Architectural Design at the faculty since 2006. He is especially fascinated by the contrasts between the world of ideas (the architect) and those of creation (builders, clients) and seeks to make students aware of this. At the heart is materialisation and the reality of buildings. Kaan believes that as an architect you can gain a great deal of inspiration from the fact that your design actually has to be constructed. He wants to demonstrate to students at an as early stage as possible that materialisation and concept are inextricably linked to each other. ‘What is the best way of envisaging it in reality?’ and ‘Which materials should I use in order to best express my ideas and concept?’ are important question that designers should ask themselves at the start of any project. Communication is also a key concept in the subject, believes Kaan. The greater the number of people you commit to a project, the greater the chance of success. He also carries out research into building cultures in Europe, which vary considerably from one country to another. His research will ultimately result in an atlas of European building cultures. In addition, he gives a wide range of lectures as part of the education curriculum.

Kaan works as an architect at Claus en Kaan Architecten and among his designs are the new building of the Netherlands Forensic Institute in The Hague, the city offices in Breda and the Dutch embassy in Mozambique. In 2005 he received the Lensvelt De Architect Interieurprijs and his firm recently won the competition for the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Granada in Spain. At present, he occupies the position of member of the board of the Stichting Architectuur Instituut Rotterdam (foundation). 

Secondary employment:
Architect Claus en Kaan Architecten Rotterdam