prof.ir.K. Oosterhuis

Architecture (A) | Design Methods |
Chair of Relation to Practice

Kas Oosterhuis (born in 1951) has been a practice professor of Architectural Design at the faculty since 2000. His Hyperbody Research Group concentrates on the opportunities presented by ICT in the design process and the influence of digitisation on the profession. Architecture is on the threshold of a real revolution: linked up to worldwide networks and fitted with sensors, buildings are set to become interactive ‘hyperbodies’ capable of adapting to their surroundings. For example, the appearance of a building can literally be altered to reflect the mood of its user. The development of this so-called e-motive architecture is one of the designs that Oosterhuis is focusing on. He is also researching such aspects as ICT operated production techniques and collaborative design, where various parties interact and work together in a virtual environment. He seeks to teach students the necessary programming and ICT skills so that they can actively use ICT during the design and user phases. The Chair gives lessons in both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes. Four PhD students are carrying out research into interactive architecture, collaborative design & engineering and ‘file to factory’ design and production techniques. Since mid-2006, the research group has had its own interactive design and research area, the iWeb_Protospace.   

Secondary employment:
Oosterhuis has his own architecture firm, ONL [Oosterhuis_Lénárd] bv in Rotterdam. Some well-known projects for which he has been responsible include Hessing Cockpit in the Acoustic Barrier along the A2 motorway near Utrecht, the Saltwater Pavilion on the artificial island of Neeltje Jans, and the Web of Noord Holland for the Floriade World Horticultural Fair. He has published many books, including ‘Sculpture City’ and ‘E-motive architecture’, and has organised numerous exhibitions and won various national and international design awards.