KCAP Architects&Planners 3.66

KCAP is an internationally operating Dutch design firm specialised in architecture and urbanism. The firm is lead by its five partners: Han van den Born, Kees Christiaanse, Ruurd Gietema, Irma van Oort and Ute Schneider.

Since its founding in 1989 by Kees Christiaanse, KCAP has grown to be one of the leading offices for architecture and urban planning in Europe and Asia.

KCAP holds offices in Rotterdam (NL), Zurich (CH) and Shanghai (CN) works with a staff of 70 professionals who are committed to all phases of the architectural and urbanistic design processes. Despite the large number of employees, the office managed to retain its horizontal hierarchy. Through the presence of cross-cultural disciplines new perspectives emerge, which in turn affect local practices. This is the result of a multidisciplinary commitment and continuous involvement from preliminary sketch-design to the projects’ completion.

KCAP’s oeuvre is wide in scope and ranges from complex urban transformations and landscape design to architecture and interiors. More than 300 projects have been designed since its founding, of which more than 150 are realised in the Netherlands and Germany, the UK, France and China. Furthermore, KCAP participates in European and Asian based projects.

Current commissions include the following:

- Cultural landscapes
- Waterfronts
- Revitalising & restructuring
- Infrastructures
- Mix-use ensembles
- Public buildings
- Office buildings
- Housing
- Public space & urban furnishings
- Research & development

KCAP is reputed for realising unique concepts and attractive designs on the fringe between architecture and urbanism. These powerful and outspoken ideas present a social and spatial cohesion, while simultaneously offer the required flexibility to manoeuvre within unpredictable changing circumstances. By certain projects KCAP has participated both as the urban designer, supervisor, and architect.

KCAP specialises in the development of long-term design strategies for complex projects. This manifests in the close collaboration between the numerous interest groups. Strategic collaborations are sought after with experts out various disciplines such as civil engineering, construction and building technology, cost analysis, process management, graphic design, and photography. KCAP has formed permanent collaborations for several disciplines. For each new project a team of experts is put together.