KAAN Architecten

The renovation of the iconic Aurora Building in the heart of Amsterdam is in full swing! The Aurora Building, a municipal monument in Amsterdam designed by Piet Zanstra and built in 1960, is undergoing a sustainable transformation that merges heritage preservation with innovation. Situated on a prime corner near Leidseplein, the building enjoys excellent connectivity to the city center and surrounding districts.   The redevelopment enhances sustainability while respecting its historic character, creating a future-proof space focused on climate, vibrancy, health, and connectivity. A large greenhouse with green balconies expands the office space, linking the inner courtyard to the building and integrating a rooftop terrace with views of the city and Vondelpark. The vertical garden improves aesthetics and well-being by increasing greenery and natural light. The entrance moves to Overtoom, featuring a welcoming coffee and juice bar.   Inside, the greenhouse fosters dynamic, flexible workspaces with a new central spiral staircase and optimized daylight. The restored front façade preserves its architectural value, while the rear is modernized. Aurora is designed for long-term sustainability, achieving Paris Proof status, a BREEAM Excellent certification, and an A++++ energy label. Innovative features include electric energy storage, a geothermal system, 214 solar panels, and climate-adaptive green roofs, blending heritage with cutting-edge sustainability.   KAAN Architecten’s Managing Architect Aldo Trim: "It is satisfying to see that, through an architectural intervention, awareness of this monument increases the cultural value of the project. In renovation and transformation, for us the challenge is always to create intriguing blends of historical features and contemporary interventions. During the design process we had to adapt to new insights in monumental aspects. From its general significance as icon of Cityforming during the ’60’s to specific details such as tilt windows in the original office façade. This continues even during the construction phase in which we still discover new aspects that we have to incorporate. It’s really an adventure". Proud to be working alongside an excellent team to shape the future of Aurora: Being, KAAN Architecten, UBS, Van Wijnen, IMd Raadgevende Ingenieurs, DGMR, Building Services BV, Koninklijke Ginkel Groep, Beyond Space, AMSTELIUS Green Building Group ♻️, Drees & Sommer Discover the project: https://lnkd.in/egEM8fpc Development: https://lnkd.in/e7YGz5SE Visualization by CIIID Architectural Presentations #Amsterdam #Renovation #Sustainability #Heritage #Architecture #Collaboration #BREEAM #ParisProof #KAANArchitecten

Thanks to Archello for featuring De Walvis. This is a great opportunity to highlight the sustainability aspects of this renovation project, from the decisions on materials to the certifications achieved. This recognition underscores KAAN Architecten commitment to creating energy-efficient and environmentally responsible spaces. #SustainableDesign #AdaptiveReuse #BREEAMExcellent #SustainableBuilding #InnovativeDesign #DeWalvis

Project | Het Eco-museum en het Orla Piratininga Park, ontworpen door KAAN Architecten in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilië, is opgeleverd. Het project beoogt de revitalisering van de regio via een waterkwaliteitsbeheer- en verontreinigingsbehandelingssysteem binnen een ecologisch park. https://lnkd.in/eRYFtQ8F 📸 Sebastian van Damme #deArchitect #architectuur

Next week, we are attending MIPIM 2025 in Cannes! If you'd like to connect, please get in touch with Renata Gilio, Managing Director of KAAN Architecten, to schedule a meeting. Looking forward to seeing you there. https://lnkd.in/enReG9Q7

Thank you, Architectenweb, for the insightful article on the Eco-museum and Orla Piratininga Park! https://lnkd.in/eSfdy4hg

Unveiling the Eco-Museum and Orla Piratininga Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Thanks to the ambition of the Municipality of Niterói and as part of their Sustainable Ocean Region Program, KAAN Architecten contributed to the redevelopment of the 720,000m² Piratininga Lagoon in what is currently the largest phytoremediation project in Latin America. The project revitalises the region by implementing a water quality management and pollution treatment system within an ecological park, including filtering gardens, social areas, and an eco-museum. As a three-time award-winning initiative, it sets a new reference for conscious design and resilience in Brazil.   The project, designed by the POP consortium (Phytorestore, Embya, and KAAN Architecten), promotes biodiversity and inclusivity through interventions along the lagoon shoreline and the Eco-museum at the park’s heart. The project encourages collaboration among residents, fishing communities, and environmental organisations for long-term conservation. Its 35,290m² of filtering gardens restore natural water cycles and purify water using native plants, creating vibrant wildlife habitats. By exclusively selecting species native to the State of Rio de Janeiro, the project ensures authentic ecological restoration, revitalising natural functions and enhancing biodiversity. Conceived as a sheltered forum, the Eco-Museum, with a total of 2,800m², is fully accessible to the public and seamlessly embedded in its lush surroundings, fostering an open and immersive experience. It is mainly constructed with cumaru wood, a durable South American hardwood known for its rich golden-brown hue and weather resistance. The roof defines the museum’s presence, extending as a cantilevered structure that modulates natural light while fostering a welcoming atmosphere. “KAAN Architecten’s participation in the POP consortium marks our first significant Nature-Based Solution (NBS) project. The expertise of a dedicated team of biologists and social workers, along with the vital support of the Municipality of Niterói, was key to the success of the de-pollution efforts and the development of new park facilities. At the heart of this transformation is the Eco-Museum, which has become a powerful tool for social inclusion, extending far beyond its role as an exhibition space. It serves as the new beating heart of the neighbourhood, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the ecological park by educating local children on the importance of environmental awareness while also functioning as a shared living space for the community,” concludes Renata Gilio, architect and urban planner at KAAN Architecten. Photo’s by Sebastian van Damme Collaborators: Phytorestore Brasil, UrbSP Arquitetura Construtora zadar LTDA, Licuri Paisagismo, Ecomimesis and Architectural Department of the Municipality of Niteroi Visit the link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eP2PkBEn

Bestemmingsplannen Lumière en RISE vastgesteld📝 De gemeenteraad heeft gisteren de bestemmingsplannen vastgesteld voor de ontwikkeling van Lumière en RISE. Hiermee worden ongeveer 1.750 woningen gerealiseerd in de binnenstad, waarvan bijna de helft in het betaalbare segment valt. 🏢 Lumière voegt 260 huurappartementen toe op de locatie van de voormalige bioscoop aan de Kruiskade en Lijnbaan. 🏢 RISE, bij Hofplein, omvat ongeveer 1.500 huur- en koopwoningen. De 226 sociale huurwoningen van Havensteder keren terug, met 73 extra sociale huurwoningen. In de nieuwe gebouwen komt een mix aan functies. Naast woningen komen er kantoren, hotels en voorzieningen zoals een gezondheidscentrum en een spa. Op de begane grond is ruimte voor horeca en winkels, wat voor levendigheid zorgt. Groene verblijfsruimten, een hofje bij Lumière en autovrije looproutes verbeteren de leefbaarheid en verbindingen in de stad. Meer info? www.lumieretoren.nl www.riserotterdam.com 📸 Powerhouse Company & Manhave Vastgoed RED Company VORM Holding KAAN Architecten #rotterdamcentraldistrict #bouwenaanrotterdam #nieuwewoningen

Lumière receives building permission and zoning approval! On the corner of Kruiskade and Lijnbaan, the new residential tower Lumière, designed by KAAN Architecten on behalf of Manhave Vastgoed and VORM Holding, has received both building permission and zoning approval from the municipality of Rotterdam. The slender tower, with its upward character, marks the centre of Rotterdam. Equally important is the base of the complex. Streetlife and skyline go together here. The site of the former Lumière cinema and the area adjacent to it with the backs of buildings will be given light, open buildings with only fronts, greenery, and various facilities. Lumière delivers a qualitative impulse by uniting 263 apartments, a hotel with 160 rooms, retail outlets, office spaces, and recreational areas into a single 155-meter-tall mixed-use project. Managing architect Aldo Trim: "With the adoption of the zoning plan for Lumière, a crucial step has been taken for this project after nearly seven years of planning. From day one, the ambition was to provide a qualitative boost to this part of the city and breathe new life into the Lijnbaanhof. Over time, a high-rise development emerged as a strong strategy for densification on this site, though not an obvious one. Together with the municipality, Manhave/VORM and the design team, extensive work has been done to ensure a seamless integration into the surroundings and to minimize disruptions. Lumiere combines a cosmopolitan stacking of urban functions with a new passage and a significant rooftop garden. We now hope to move forward quickly with this challenge and develop the design towards realization."   Discover more: https://lnkd.in/eyCjXwxu Collaborators: Pieters Bouwtechniek BV, DGMR, DLBouwmanagement, LOLA Landscape Architects, Witteveen & Bos 📷 Vivid-Vision

The Musée Maritime de Saint-Malo, France – a design between land and sea The Musée Maritime de Saint-Malo was envisioned as a natural extension of the historic city, respecting its architectural heritage while opening new connections to the sea. Designed within the old fortifications, it balanced the solidity of Saint-Malo’s characteristic stone architecture with light, open spaces engaging with the horizon. Carefully integrated into the urban setting, the design reinforced the connection between the museum and the city through a clear and intuitive layout. A continuous path guided visitors from the ramparts to an inviting entrance, leading into an immersive journey through Saint-Malo’s maritime history. A key feature of the design was an elevated platform offering a new perspective on the bay—an opportunity to experience the shifting light, tides, and vastness of the open sea. With minimal interventions, the project aimed to preserve and enhance the site’s architectural heritage while introducing new functions. Rather than a traditional museum, the project was conceived as a dynamic space for exhibitions, education, and public life, deeply embedded in the city’s fabric. Our proposal was awarded second place. Congratulations to Philippe Prost and David Lebreton on their winning proposal! Visualiations by 1,2 KAAN Architecten 3,4 Corentin Lespagnol Collaborators: Arnaud Paquin, GSM Project , OTEIS Conseil & Ingénierie, eco+construire, Nicolas Vrignaud, Les éclaireurs, ACOUSTIQUE & CONSEIL https://lnkd.in/emw83GR5

Great to see the transformation of Aurora as the renovation takes shape! Soon more.