ArchitecturePlus

Senegalese visions for Amsterdam Central Station

Tue, 15 May 2012 20:29:21 +0200

In the context of the Dak’art 2012 Biannual, the College Universitaire d’Architecture, African Architecture Matters and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands invite you to the opening of the exhibition:

the lessons of African public space

Amsterdam Central Station Reinterpreted

Friday 18 May, 18hrs, at the residence of the Ambassador of the Netherlands, Av. des Ambassadeurs, Fann Residence

The exhibition remains to be visited until 1 June, Monday - Friday between 15-19 hrs, Saturday and Sunday between 12-19hrs.

The exhibition is the result of research, undertaken by over 40 students of the College under guidance of Jean Charles Tall and others of the school, the architects Mbaye Sene, Sherif Diattara (Archi Art Concept) and Berend van der Lans.

African spirit in and around Amsterdam Central Station

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:16:00 +0200

(2 students of the CUAD with the architects Mbaye Sene and Cherif Chiattara during the workshop)

African public space may well provide successful solutions for public space challenges in the West – was the conclusion of the jury of the Blueprints of Paradise competition, developed by the Afrika Museum and AAmatters in 2010.

As part of the Dak’art Biannual, the College Universitaire de l’Architecture de Dakar and African Architecture Matters explore this further in a workshop with over 40 students of the 1^st to 3^rd year of the school, taking place in the week before the Dak’art Biannual, being opened by Senegal’s new Minister of Culture Yousou N’Dour on the 11^th of May.

The results of this workshop, 6 proposals that aim to optimise the public space in and around Amsterdam CS, introducing ‘structured order’, ‘improved interconnectivity’ and multiple, more spontaneous and flexible use of the space, will be presented during the exhibition ‘Vision sénégalaise sur l’espace public aux Pays-Bas: La Gare Centrale d’Amsterdam Réinventée’ as part of the OFF programme of the Dak’art Biannual. the exhibition will be held in the garden of the Residence of the Dutch Ambassador, at the Rue des Ambassadeurs in Dakar between 18 May and 1 June 2012.

Please find more information on the OFF programme and the Dak’art biannual the the biannual website.

The workshop is run by Mamadou Jean-Charles Tall, Mouhamadou Naby Kane (both CUAD), Cherif Diattara, Mbaye Sene (both Archi Art Concept) and Berend van der Lans (AAmatters). The project is supported by the Royal Netherlands embassy in Dakar.

ProCredit pro environment

Thu, 10 May 2012 23:52:11 +0200

ProCredit Ghana is a micro finance bank, supporting many small and medium size businesses and in that sense contributing to the sustainable development of one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

ProCredit takes its catalyst position serious and is not limited to finance when it comes to sustainability. Their new head offices, developed along Nsawam Road in Accra and designed by MultiCad Consulting Architects, Planners & Engineers Ltd., has been developed aiming at minimising environmental impact and maximising energy efficiency. Berend van der Lans, on behalf of African Architecture Matters, executed an assessment for ProCredit to analyse the measurements and optimise the scheme. The assessment resulted in additional recommendations for passive energy savings, localised sourcing of materials and minimising maintenance costs.

The proposed measurements, in addition to the design, will minimise environmental impact, but also result in a financially efficient building.

Stars at the top of the Slipway stairs

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:47:43 +0100

(Dr. Livin Mosha, Dean of SADE of ARDHI Institute, being interviewed for ITV)

What can we learn from the most interesting spaces and public buildings of Dar es Salaam? This is what you find out, if you take the opportunity to visit the exhibition Stars of Dar, on show between 14 February and 14 March at the Slipway. At the opening night, a large group of guests and several TV crews gathered for the launch of the last Stars of Dar video, capturing an overview of the project and many visions and ideas on what should happen with the City of Dar when it comes to planning the future.

(Eminent architect Anthony Almeida speeching at the opening, sided by Dr. Livin Mosha, Dean SADE ARDHI University on the left and Arch. Mbaraka Igangula, president of the Architects Association of Tanzania on the right)

The exhibition was developed by the Architects Association of Tanzania, ARDHI University and African Architecture Matters and presented as part of the ‘Global City Local Identity’ programme, initiated by the Goethe Institute in Dar es Salaam. Berend van der Lans was responsible for the development and coordination of Stars of Dar. See more on Stars of Dar via the dedicated website.

At the opening of the Stars of Dar exhibition on...

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:26:35 +0100

At the opening of the Stars of Dar exhibition on Valentine’s day 2012, at the Slipway in Dar es Salaam, the last video production on the project was launched. The film gives an overview of the project and includes interviews taken at the opening night of the Stars of Dar exhibition, 14 October 2011. The exhibition was part of the ‘Global City - Local Identity’ programme, organised by the Goethe Institute. All Stars of Dar videos were produced by Hypermedia.

In the context of the Stars of Dar project, enhancing the debate...

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:19:16 +0100

In the context of the Stars of Dar project, enhancing the debate on architecture, planning and use of public spaces in Dar es Salaam, one of the most popular TV programmes, Daladala TV, dedicated the show on 12 October 2011 to the use of public spaces in Tanzania’s largest city. This show is now subtitled. Stars of Dar was developed by the Architects Association of Tanzania, ARDHI University and African Architcture Matters and coordinated by Berend van der Lans.

Out of control but well in balance

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:57:00 +0100

(photo Elena Cattani, Jeroen van der Drift, Ivan Thung)

Half way the previous century large scale modernist mass housing was widely introduced in the world to overcome the lack of housing capacity. What many people do not know is that prior to this the city of Casablanca served as a testing ground. European architects experimented with new housing models before applying these principles worldwide. In the Netherlands, many of the urban extension areas in that period were realised following these principles. However, today many of them are seen as problematic and as ghetto’s where minorities of different background live together and crime rates are high.

Meanwhile, in the modern experimental areas in Casablanca a true bottom-up makeover occured. Since completion of these neighbourhoods, the inhabitants transformed, expanded and adapted the dwellings and public spaces. In particular, the Cité Horizonale in the district of Hay Mohammadi, based or the famous 8 x 8 Ecochard grid , underwent one of the most successful privately developed and informal transformations that resulted in a very pleasant and attractive area to live.

The “Learning from Casablanca ’ project explores the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of these transformations by the residents. The project started in January 2011 with research by students from Morocco and the Netherlands. The results of the survey were exhibited in the cathedral of Casablanca in November 2011. This exhibition ‘Learning from Casablanca’ was part of the African Perspectives conference organised by ArchiAfrika every other year and was opened by Wytze Patijn, former State Architect and former Dean of the faculty of Architecture of the Delft University of Technology.

The exhibition “Learning from Casablanca” is the conclusion of the first phase of a larger project entitled ‘Planning Thriving Cities’. The project promotes an international and multidisciplinary approach to design challenges and is based on dialogue. Through the study of the unplanned processes in Casablanca, planning processes in both Morocco and the Netherlands can be improved and lead to an inclusive sustainability.

“Planning Thriving Cities’ is a project, initiated and developed by Casamemoire and African Architecture Matters. It will be continued with a project in the Netherlands, aiming at implementing the successes of the studied processes in the Dutch context.

(above photos Elena Cattani, Jeroen van der Drift, Ivan Thung)

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2010 - 2012 // project initiation and coordination: African Architecture Matters (Belinda van Buiten, Berend van der Lans), Casamemoire (Abderrahim Kassou, Laure Augereau) // in collaboration with Ecole Superieure de l’Architecture de Casablanca, Universite Hassan II, Delft University of Technology, Utrecht and Stockholm Universities, Netherlands Embassy Morocco, city council of Amsterdam, ARCAM and Netherlands Architecture Fund // exhibition developed among others with Elena Cattani, Andrea Kurzbein, Brendan Culley, Jeroen van der Drift and Ivan Thung

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Outer space back to the basement

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:12:00 +0100

(photo Roger Busschots)

The ‘Sterrewacht Leiden’ is the oldest University observatory in the world, originating from 1633. In 1861 it moved to a specificcally designed building. In the 70’s of the previous century it moved again, now to a location more suitable for modern research. In 2011 the ‘Oude Sterrewacht’ has been restored and made suitable as lectures hall for the Law faculty of the Leiden University.

In the basement a visitors centre refers back to the history of the building as observatory. The world famous ‘Sterrewacht’ is accountable for many great discoveries and still is one of the leading research teams in astronomy in the world, involved in many highly innovative explorations of outer space. The visitors are introduced to important steps in the history of the observatory and exciting future plans to come.

Roger Busschots from Infofilm / Museummedia developed the concept and design for the visitors centre. Berend van der Lans from Architectureplus teamed up with Roger for design assistance, budgeting and project management.

Visitors centre ‘Oude Sterrewacht Leiden’ can be visited via the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden.

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2011 // client: Leiden University, Sterrewacht // concept and design: Roger Busschots, Infofilm / Museummedia

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(photo Roger Busschots)

Talking Stars of Dar

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:10:00 +0100

Stars of Dar is an exhibition presenting an inventory of buildings and public spaces which play an important role in the city and represent what Dar es Salaam stands for. The presented buildings and spaces have been selected through interviews with key members – musicians, fashion designers, developers, writers - and architects of Dar’s society.

Their ideas and reflections are presented and highlight directions and ideas on the shaping of future Dar es Salaam. Film portraits of 3 important public spaces, including the visions and ideas of their users, complete the picture.

It is important to keep on exchanging ideas with the Dar es Salaam community, when making plans for the city. This leads to inclusive and more sustainable planning. This exhibition can be seen as a contribution to this. Stars of Dar does not claim to give a complete picture nor is a reflection of a deep analysis, but aims to be the spark for an ongoing debate on our beloved city, in a attempt to create an inclusive city of which the total is greater than the addition of its individual parts.

Stars of Dar is a production of architecture students from ARDHI University (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania), the Architects Association of Tanzania and the Dutch foundation African Architecture Matters.

The Stars of Dar workshop and exhibition were part of the «GLOBAL CITY - LOCAL IDENTITY?» symposium organised by the Goethe Institute in Tanzania, 14 Oct - 16 Oct 2011. [To find out more: www.facebook.com/GLOBALCITYLOCALIDENTITY ]

Stars of Dar was on exhibition from 14-28 October 2011 in Ebrahim Building. The work is also presented via a project website.

Stars of Dar was developed as a concept to engage the wider public into the debate on the quality of the city, while it also points out to students, academics and professionals, that it is people who make the city, not buildings.

A 2 month training course followed by 30 5th year ARDHI students, based on a project format developed by Berend van der Lans, resulted in an inventory of 40 buildings spread over Dar es Salaam. This formed the prelude to the workshop for 10 students in which they developed an overview of the most meaningful buildings and public spaces in Dar es Salaam, based on interviews with public personalities in Tanzania’s largest city.

The participants also interviewed the users of the 3 most important public spaces, which resulted in 3 short films, developed with Hypermedia. The films formed the starting point for a Daladala TV broadcasting; this popular TV format attracts 3,5 million watchers daily. On 12 October the mobile Daladala studio was following its route while the passengers were discussing the state of the public spaces in Dar es Salaam.

After the Ebrahim building Stars of Dar will also be presented by the Architects Association of Tanzania at other locations.

The format of Stars of Dar was developed by Berend van der Lans for the Architects Association of Tanzania and African Architecture Matters.

NL Ambassador opens the exhibition.

Some of the Stars of Dar team members with Anthony Almeida.

Issa Shabbay receives his certificate.

For the Stars of Dar exhibition, Hypermedia produced short films...

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:15:08 +0100

For the Stars of Dar exhibition, Hypermedia produced short films about significant public spaces in Dar es Salaam. The interviews of passers-by, merchants, policemen and bus drivers were done by the student participants of the workshop. You can find more films at the dedicated Stars of Dar site.

'It takes a village to raise a child'

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:48:00 +0100

In January 2011 the competition for a community school for the island of Bonaire was launched. In May it was announced that the HL Architecture team of Lada Hrsak won the first prize, while the second prize position was taken by Attika architects.

The jury overlooked the design of the strong and multi-disciplinary team with below entry, formed by Ton Salman (KSK Architects), Maarten Boelsma (BOA Advies) and Berend van der Lans (FBW Architects / BKvdL), assisted by Hein van Lieshout and Egle Suminskaite.

The design integrated an innovative approach on climate control, education and design. Following the quote ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ from Hillary Clinton, the design offered a structured, safe but also a playful environment for the pupils of the cluster of schools.

It addressed the wish for flexibility, for use of energy resources and water with care and the brief with a programme consisting of amongst others two schools, day-care facilities, multi use activity halls, a swimming pool and sports accommodation.

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2011

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Exchanging Challenges of Change

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:28:00 +0100

The 10th Docomomo conference ‘The Challenge of Change’ took place in the Van Nelle Design Factory in Rotterdam, from 16 - 19 September 2008. The conference marked the 20th anniversary of the world wide network.

Berend van der Lans was asked to boost the organisational committee in the last months towards the event. The event brought together a large number of specialists on issues of modern built heritage, and also involved student workshops, tours, exhibitions and public lectures. The event was combined with the celebration of the Europa Nostra Award, an important European prize for heritage projects, which was awarded to the Van Nelle Design Factory in 2008.

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2008 // client: Faculty of Architecture, Delft University of Technology

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With stripes the shining star of the street

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:02:00 +0100

The direct environment of the JP Coenschool, a primary school in Amsterdam Oost, served as the perfect place for activities which cannot stand daylight. Obviously a situation which was not appreciated by nor the school nor the parents of the school kids.In collaboration with the school, the parents, the neighbours and artist Jan van der Ploeg a plan was developed to address this. We convinced the city council and housing corporation De Alliantie to work along.

(Berend van der Lans presents the proposal to Minister Ella Vogelaar and Deputy Minister Sharon Dijksma - photo Philippa Edwards).

In June 2008 completion was reached, inclusive the art work by Jan van der Ploeg. The art work was financed by the Amsterdamse Fonds voor de Kunst. The project was nominated for the Zeeburg Cultuurprijs and was chosen second best.

(photo Jan van der Ploeg)

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2006 - 2009 // Master plan: BKvdL // Client: de Alliantie, Amsterdam, JP Coenschool // Design: BKvdL, executed in collaboration with Rijnboutt van der Vossen Rijnboutt // Art work: Jan van der Ploeg

Nominated for the Cultuurprijs Zeeburg, read the jury report here.

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Hidden influence at post war Netherlands

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:19:00 +0100

the manifestation ‘de Groep van Delft’ tells the story of a group of active students at the architecture department in Delft in the 30-s of last century and their further lives. Via a book, an exhibition, lectures, theater, fim and music performances and a debate, this until hidden part of Dutch history was brought back to life. The activities brought to the surface how the group members undoubtedly had influence at Netherlands after the Second World war.

Also people who - on the contrary - became well known, like Joris Ivens, Le Corbusier, Gerrit Rietveld, Granpré Moliere, Mannus Franken and others, played a sometimes even perculiar role.

The manifestation took place between February and December 2010. The initiator Jan Molema worked together with Suzy Leemans on extensive research, bringing many unknown facts to the surface which is also condensed in the book Moderniteit in een behoudende omgeving. Jan Albarda en De Groep van Delft, published via Jap Sam Books. Architectureplus coördinated the many activities, organised the communication and designed the exhibition and website.

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2009 - 2010 // opdrachtgever: Stichting Analyse van Gebouwen STAG // initiative: Jan Molema

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The Blueprints of Paradise prize winners Kobina Banning, Oladayo...

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:04:00 +0100

The Blueprints of Paradise prize winners Kobina Banning, Oladayo Oladunjoye and Martin Kruger introduce their entries, while chair of the jury Joe Addo reflects upon the competition and exhibition. This video was taken during the opening festivities at the Afrika Museum in Berg en Dal and produced by Infofilm, Leiden. Find more videos and interviews at aam-blueprintsofparadise.tumblr.com.

African public space fruitfull inspiration between Dutch mountains

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:46:00 +0100

Africa is planning for the future. Some projects, like the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, affect the entire world, others, like the works of Pierre Goudiaby Atepa, Doual’art, or the team of Takako Tajima and Aziza Chaouni, are locally focused.

(photo Afrika Museum)

The competition Blueprints of Paradise invited architects, artists and visionaries of African descent to send in their ideas for the built future of Africa. For African Architecture Matters and the Afrika Museum Architectureplus developed the exhibition Blueprints of Paradise based upon the selected entries.

Many entries addressed the city and more precisely the multi-layered way public space is used in African cities. The jury concluded that some of the solutions brought forward in the entries could provide fruitful inspiration for addressing planning challenges in western cities. A surprising statement, since in many western eyes African cities are synonymous for poverty and problems. Read more on the exhibition and the entries via the dedicated site.

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2010 – 2011 // Client: Afrika Museum, Berg en Dal, Netherlands // Concept, coordination competition: Berend van der Lans // Assistance competition: Rachel Stella Jenkins, Astrid Aarsen // Co-curator, design exhibition: Berend van der Lans // Interactive media, visuals: Infofilm, Robert Busschots // Execution: technical team Afrika Museum

For African Architecture Matters

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