Office Kersten Geers David Van Severen

About

OFFICE @ Tine Cooreman 2008

OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen was founded in 2002 by Kersten Geers and David Van Severen. OFFICE is renowned for its idiosyncratic architecture, in which realisations and theoretical projects stand side by side. The projects are direct, spatial and firmly rooted in architectural theory. The firm reduces architecture to its very essence and most original form: a limited set of basic geometric rules is used to create a framework within which life unfolds out in all its complexity.

Since its establishment OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen has earned a reputation as one of Belgium’s most successful and renowned practices, and one of the world’s truly original voices in present-day architecture. OFFICE engages in all architectural and urbanist design, creating projects of all scales ranging from furniture to masterplanning in Belgium as well as internationally. This practice is combined with academic research and teaching. These two aspects of OFFICE’s work are explicitly each other’s mirror, creating unexpected parallels between academic and practical work.

Biographies

Kersten Geers

(Ghent, 1975) graduated in Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Ghent, Belgium and at the Esquela Tecnica Superior de Arquitectura in Madrid, Spain. He worked with Maxwan Architects and Urbanists and with Neutelings Riedijk Architects in Rotterdam. He was professor at the University of Ghent, and visiting professor at Columbia University, NYC, and the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio (CH), and is currently teaching at the EPFL, Lausanne (CH) and Harvard Graduate School of Design (US). He is a founding member of the architecture magazine San Rocco.

David Van Severen

(Ghent, 1978) graduated in Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Ghent, Belgium and at the Esquela Tecnica Superior de Arquitectura in Madrid, Spain. Since 1995 he designed and made several objects, installations and furniture. He worked with Stéphane Beel Architects, Xaveer De Geyter Architects and for Atelier Maarten Van Severen. He was a teacher and guest critic at the Academy of Amsterdam, the TU Delft, and the Berlage Institute in Rotterdam (NL) and the Architecture School of Versailles (FR), and he’s currently guest tutor at  Harvard Graduate School of Design (US).

Publications

  • Besides, History: Go Hasegawa, Kersten Geers, David Van Severen. Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal, CA. Catalog edited by Giovanna Borasi. Contributed by Giovanna Borasi, Stefano Graziani, Bas Princen, Go Hasegawa, Kersten Geers & David Van Severen. 15 x 21 cm. 208 p. With 121 (92 color) ills., Paperback. Published by König Books and Kajima Institute (Japanese edition).
EL CROQUIS 185: OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen

Exhibitions

  • ‘E Depois, A Historia / Besides, History – Go Hasegawa, Kersten Geers, David Van Severen’ Serralves Foundation, Porto (Jun 28 – Oct 15, 2018)
  • ‘The Hull of a Large Ship’, Barbican Centre, London (May 18 – Nov 11, 2018)
  • ‘Besides, History: Go Hasegawa, Kersten Geers, David Van Severen’, CCA, Montréal (May 9 – Oct 15, 2017)
  • ‘Everything Architecture’, Architectural Association, London (Apr 29 – May 25, 2017)
  • ‘Everything Architecture’, Centre d’architecture arc-en-rêve, Bordeaux (Nov 3, 2016 – Feb 12, 2017)
  • ‘Drawings by OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen’, ETH Zurich (Apr 21 – May 20, 2016)
  • ‘Everything Architecture’, BOZAR, Brussels (Mar 4 – May 29, 2016)
  • ‘Talk About Space’, Burgauer Architekter Tage, Burgau (2011)
  • ‘OFFICE 85: Garden Pavilion’, 12th Biennale of Architecture, Venice (2010)
  • ‘7 Rooms / 15 Tables’, TU Eindhoven (2010)
  • ‘OFFICE 50: After The Party’, 11th Biennale of Architecture, Venice (2008)
  • ‘Seven Rooms’, deSingel, Antwerp (2008)
  • ’35 m3′, deSingel, Antwerp (2006)

Group exhibitions (selection)

  • ‘Maniera 01 & 19’, MANIERA gallery, Brussels (Feb 27 – May 4, 2019)
  • ‘Duos et Débats – OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen & Éric Lapierre’, Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine, Paris (Jan 24 – May 5, 2019)
  • ‘Dichtelust: Forms of Urban Coexistence in Switzerland’, Swiss Architecture Museum, Basel (Nov 24, 2018 – May 5, 2019)
  • ‘Readymades Belong To Everyone’, Swiss Institute, New York (Jun 23 – Aug 19, 2018)
  • ‘Inscriptions: Architecture Before Speech’, Harvard GSD (Jan 22 – Mar 11, 2018)
  • Chicago Architecture Biennial, Chicago (Jan 22 – Mar 11, 2018)
  • ‘UTOPIA/DISTOPIA’, MAAT, Lisbon (Mar 22 – Aug 21, 2017)
  • ‘The Pearling Path’, Bahrain National Museum, Bahrain (Apr 18 – Aug 4, 2017)
  • ‘Spaces without drama or surface is an illusion, but so is depth’, Graham Foundation, Chicago (Feb 16 – Jul 1, 2017)
  • ‘Corners – Maniera 11 & 01’, MANIERA gallery, Brussels (Jan 25 – Mar 25, 2017)
  • ’30 architectes’, Pavillon de l’Arsenal, Paris (Dec 12, 2016 – Mar 12, 2017)
  • ‘The Books of The Architecture of The City’, Archizoom, EPFL, Lausanne (Feb 21 – Mar 11, 2017)
  • ‘A Minor Architecture’, Espacio Valverde, Madrid (Jan 12 – Feb 3, 2017)
  • ‘EUtopia: the Possibility of an Island’, Museum M, Leuven (Oct 20, 2016 – Jan 17, 2017)
  • ‘The Form of Form’, Lisbon Architecture Triennale, Lisbon (Oct 5 – Dec 11, 2016)
  • ‘Maatwerk/Maβarbeit’, DAM, Frankfurt (2016)
  • ‘A Good City Has Industry’, Ravenstein Gallery, Brussels (2016)
  • ‘Bravoure’, 15th Biennale of Architecture, Venice (2016)
  • ’25 Architects 5 Absent’, Gallery Art-Cade, Marseille (2016)
  • ‘La Narration du Quotidien’, Forum d’Architectures, Lausanne (2016)
  • ‘Allures’, FRAC, Orléans (2015)
  • ‘Palladian Design: The Good, the Bad and the Unexpected’, RIBA, London (2015)
  • ‘De Wonderjaren: Thirty Years of Architecture in Flanders’, Cultuurcentrum Scharpoord, Knokke (2015)
  • ‘Stad Buiten Stad’, deSingel, Antwerp (2015)
  • ‘Blueprint 2.0’, KAde, Amersfoort (2013)
  • ‘Chicago Architecture Biennial: The State of the Art of Architecture’, Chicago (2015)
  • ‘Labo des Héritiers’, Grand Hornu, Mons (2014)
  • ‘A Small Museum for the American Metaphor’, REDCAT Gallery, Los Angeles (2014)
  • ‘Sharjah Art Biennale’, Sharjah (2013)
  • ‘Shenzhen Biennial of Urbanism/Architecture’, Shenzhen (2013)
  • ‘XX Models: young Belgian architecture’, BOZAR, Brussels (2012)
  • ‘Collaborations’, 13th Biennale of Architecture, Venice (2012)
  • ‘New Spatial Practices in Architecture and Art’, MOT, Tokyo (2011)
  • ‘Watou Art Festival’, Watou (2009)
  • ‘Art Basel’, Basel (2009)
  • ‘West-Arch: A New Generation in Architecture’, Ludwig Forum, Aachen (2009)
  • ‘New trends in Europe and South East’, Tokyo, Patras, Sydney and Luxembourg (2007)
  • ‘Gent Morgen’, Ghent (2007)
  • ‘3rd Biennale of Architecture’, Rotterdam (2007)
  • ‘A Portrait of the Artist as a Researcher’, Vienna (2007)
  • ’10th Biennale of Architecture’, Venice (2006)
  • ‘Wonderland – Young European Architects’, Amsterdam, Paris, Venice, Zagreb, Ljubljana (2005)

Lectures (selection)

  • ‘Lunch with an Architect’ lecture by Kersten Geers and David Van Severen, Flagey, Brussels (Jun 4, 2019)
  • ‘Architecture on Stage’ lecture by Kersten Geers, The Barbican Centre, London (Apr 30, 2019)
  • ‘Ensemble, Zäme, Insieme, Insemen’ lecture by Kersten Geers, Maison de l’Architecture, Geneva (Nov 1, 2018)
  • ‘ASA International Forum Sessions’ lecture by David Van Severen (video), ASA Bangkok (May 5, 2018)
  • ‘OFFICE’ lecture by Kersten Geers (video), UC Berkeley (Feb 20, 2018)
  • ‘Everything Architecture’ lecture by David Van Severen, The Design Museum, Helsinki (Sep 13, 2017)
  • ‘Besides, History’ opening lecture by Kersten Geers and David Van Severen (video), CCA Montreal (May 9, 2017)
  • ‘Ein Haus …’ lecture at Architecture Institute FHNW, Basel, on OFFICE 126: Dar Al Jinaa (Mar 14, 2017)
  • ‘UdK Tuesday’ lecture by David Van Severen (video), Universität der Künste, Berlin (Feb 7, 2017)
  • ’Europa, Europa’ lecture by Kersten Geers and David Van Severen (video), Catalan Architectural Association, Barcelona (Jan 26, 2017)
  • ‘The 2016 John Edwards Lecture’ conversation between Kersten Geers and Bas Princen, The Barbican Centre, London (Nov 23, 2016)
  • ‘Keynote Lecture Staalbouwwedstrijd 2016’ at De Montil, Affligem (Nov 15, 2016)
  • ‘Everything Architecture’ opening lecture by Kersten Geers and David Van Severen, Centre d’architecture arc en rêve, Bordeaux (Nov 3, 2016)
  • ‘OFFICE’ lecture by Kersten Geers and David Van Severen (video), Columbia GSAPP, New York (Sep 14, 2015)

Awards

Architecture awards

  • Staalbouwprijs (Steel Building Award), category ‘Elements’, 2016, for OFFICE 78: Library
  • Staalbouwprijs (Steel Building Award), category ‘Industry’, 2016, for OFFICE 117: Drying Hall
  • Berlin Art Prize, category Architecture, 2016, for Ouevre
  • Belgian Prize for Architecture, category ‘Small Interventions’, 2015, for OFFICE 78: Library
  • Dixième Prix Européen d’Architecture Philippe Rothier: Honorable Mention, 2014, for OFFICE 117: Drying Hall
  • Belgian Prize for Architecture, category ‘Non-residential Private’, 2013, for OFFICE 47: Computer Shop
  • Belgian Prize for Architecture, category ‘Single Family Housing’, 2013, for OFFICE 56: Weekend House
  • ‘In Pursuit of Architecture’: the 10 best buildings of the decade, 2013, for OFFICE 39: Villa, Buggenhout
  • Silver Lion at the Venice Biennial for Architecture for ‘Most Promising Young Practice’, 2010, for OFFICE 85: Garden Pavillion (i.c.w. Bas Princen)
  • Belgian Prize for Architecture, category ‘Public Space’, 2009, for OFFICE 23: Bridge

Award-winning competitions

  • OFFICE 227 Tondo, Brussels, BE. Competition, 1st Prize, 2016-… (under development)
  • OFFICE 216 Havenlaan, Brussels, BE. Competition, 1st Prize, 2016-… (under development)
  • OFFICE 176 Campus RTS, Lausanne, CH. Competition, 1st prize, 2015-… (under development)
  • OFFICE 167 Leientoren, Antwerp, BE. Competition, 1st prize, 2014 (not realised)
  • OFFICE 165 Crematorium, Ostend, BE. Competition, 1st prize, 2014-… (in building preparation).
  • OFFICE 152 ‘Incubator’, industrial starter’s centre, Waregem, BE. Competition, 1st prize, 2013-… (under construction).
  • OFFICE 118 ‘4 Ecologies’, masterplan, Emiel Vloorssite, Antwerp, BE. Competition, i.c.w. Technum, 1st prize, 2011.
  • OFFICE 90 ‘Belvedere Walraevens’, Agriculture school, Leuven, BE. Competition, 1st prize. Under construction, 2010-…
  • OFFICE 78 Library and entrance hall, faculty of architecture and urbanism, University of Ghent, BE. Competition, 1st prize, 2010-2014
  • OFFICE 61 ‘Villa Voka’, Chamber of Commerce, Kortrijk, BE. Competition, i.c.w. Bureau Goddeeris and Bas Smets, 1st Prize, 2008-2010
  • OFFICE 57 ‘Central Park Turnhout’, Masterplan & Tunnel/dike, Turnhout, BE. Competition i.c.w. Technum, 1st prize, 2008 – 2015
  • OFFICE 50 ‘After the Party’, Belgian Pavillion at the 11th International Architecture Biennial, Venice, IT. Competition, 1st prize, 2008
  • OFFICE 35 ‘Cité de Refuge’, Ceuta, ES. Project for the Architecture Biennial Rotterdam, NL, Special Mention Award, 2007
  • OFFICE 30 ‘First Town’, KOR. Competition, honorable mention, i.c.w. Dogma and H&A Architects, 2006
  • OFFICE 21 Public Floor for Wiels Art Centre Brussel, BE. Competition, 1st prize, 2006
  • OFFICE 19 ‘A Grammar for the City’, New Administrative Capital, KOR. Competition, 1st prize, i.c.w. Dogma, 2005
  • OFFICE 15: ‘Border Garden’, Border Crossing US-MX. Competition, 1st prize, i.c.w. Wonne Ickx, 2005

Collaborators

  • Kersten Geers, Architect-Engineer
  • David Van Severen, Architect-Engineer
  • Bert Rogiers, Architect-Engineer
  • Jan Lenaerts, Architect
  • Alexander Smedts, Architect-Engineer
  • Jacopo Lugli, Architect (IT)
  • Justine Rossillion, Architect (FR)
  • Anne van Hout, Architect-Engineer (NL)
  • Thomas Mertens, Architect-Engineer
  • Stefaan Jamaer, Architect-Engineer
  • Nicholas Jacobs, Architect Intern
  • Seppe Claes, Architect Intern
  • Inga Karen Traustadottir
  • Yuichiro Onuma
  • Enea Facoetti
  • Joschka Kannen
  • Alice Galligo
  • Giovanni Lazzareschi Sergiusti
  • Antonios Prokos
  • Shinji Terada
  • Nicolas Berrebbi
  • Chiara Malerba
  • Ivana Cobejova
  • Virginia Santilli
  • Côme Rolin
  • Amelie Bimberg
  • Alice Trippet
  • Olivier Thomas
  • Mattia Chinellato

Previous collaborators (in alphabetical order): Anthony Aelbrecht, Anna Andrich, Henrik Becker, Johanna Bindas, Edoardo Biondetti, Steven Bosmans, Joshua Braegger, Edouard Champalle, Henri de Chassey, Paul Christian, Clara Dahan, Barbara De Smedt, Pieter De Walsche, Sam Dieltjens, Martin Dumont, Robin Durand, Nenad Đurić, Antoine Espinasseau, Rosa Fens, Augustin Fortuné, Wim François, Yuki Fujita, Ziou Gao, Stefano Gariglio, Samuel Genet, Pierre Gernay, Santiago Giusto, Denis Glauden, Leonie Hartung, Linea Dyrbye Jensen, Jose Cordero Jurado, Mayumi Kanemaru, Ali Karimi, Nicolas Koenig, Sho Kurokawa, Sam Lanckriet, Michael Langeder, Jean-Sebastien Lebreton, Quang-Vinh Linh, Saskia Lorenz, Michael Maminski, Ginevra Masiello, Hugo Mazza, Photini Mermiga, Ronan Murray, Kristin Nothwer, Marlene Oeken, Andrea Panzeri, Alexandra Paritzky, Vincenzo Paterno, Stanislas Peeters, Benoît Perrier, Federico Perugini, Gonçalo André Pires, Andrea Pizzini, Andrew Power, Mahsa Ramezanpour, Thaïs de Roquemaurel, Sahar Safieddine, Pietro Salamone, Hugo Santoalha, Juliane Seehawer, Jorrit Sipkes, Gasper Skalar, Antoine Souché, Insa Streit, Joey Swerdlin, Evelyn Temmel, Guido Tesio, Tomas Tironi, Tetsuro Toida, Dieter Van Acker, Valerie Van Roy, Mo Vandenberghe, Antoine Vaxelaire, Matteo Venezian, Adeline de Vrij, Sophie Florence Wallis, Hilbrand Wanders, Michele Mario Zanuso

Applications

OFFICE is currently looking for new collaborators / interns. Please send your application with a digital portfolio (10 mb max) in pdf format to applications@officekgdvs.com. Spontaneous applications are also accepted. Please note that we do not return printed portfolios.