Office Kersten Geers David Van Severen

About

OFFICE @ Tine Cooreman 2008

OFFICE is an architectural practice founded by Kersten Geers and David Van Severen. Since its establishment in 2002 in Brussels, OFFICE has been committed to the idea of architecture as a cultural undertaking aimed at improving the human environment. To that end, we see the increasingly pressing topics of sustainability, responsible sourcing, or future use, as a catalyst for shaping our urban and social realm, and architectural form as part of the solution. The projects are at once pragmatic and innovative, while deeply rooted in diverse architectural histories. In its very essence, our work creates a framework within which life unfolds in all its complexity. 

OFFICE projects differ in scale and type, ranging from furniture to urban design. Recent projects currently under construction include Aerospacelab Megafactory in Charleroi, Belgium; Swiss Radio and Television building in Lausanne, Switzerland; Lafayette Department Store in Paris, France; and VRT Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. This practice is combined with academic research and teaching, thus creating unexpected parallels between the two aspects of OFFICE’s production. Our international team is comprised of about 40 members, whose diverse backgrounds and knowledge contribute to the unique voice of OFFICE. Since 2018, OFFICE is a partnership led by Kersten Geers, David Van Severen and Jan Lenaerts, together with associates Justine Rossillion, Alexander Smedts and Jacopo Lugli. 

Biographies

Kersten Geers

(Ghent, 1975) graduated in Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Ghent and at the ETSA Madrid. He worked with Maxwan Architects and Urbanists and with Neutelings Riedijk Architects in Rotterdam. Kersten Geers has been teaching at various institutions, such as the Berlage Institute, Columbia University GSAPP, Yale School of Architecture, EPF Lausanne and Harvard GSD. He currently holds a professorship at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio. 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 and at the ETSA Madrid. 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, the Berlage Institute, the Architecture School of Versailles and Harvard GSD.

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

  • Aga Khan Award for Architecture, 2019, for OFFICE 133: Pearl Path
  • Staalbouwprijs (Steel Building Award), category ‘Industry’, 2018, for OFFICE 152: Incubator
  • 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: 303 Starlette Strasbourg, Strasbourg, FR, Competition 1st Prize, 2019-… (under development)
  • OFFICE: 286 Lafayette, Paris, FR, Competition 1st Prize, 2018… (under development)
  • OFFICE: 280 Brewery, Brussels, BE, Competition 1st Prize, 2018… (under development)
  • OFFICE: 266 Villa IV, Brussels, BE. Competition 1st Prize, 2018-… (under construction)
  • OFFICE: 264 Olive Oil Mill, Trebbio, IT. Competition 1st Prize, 2018-… (under development)
  • OFFICE: 245 Les Halles Généreuses, Bordeaux, FR. Competition 1st Prize, 2018-… (under development)
  • OFFICE: 229 Library Sint-Martens-Latem, Sint-Martens-Latem, BE. Competition 1st Prize, 2017-… (under construction)
  • OFFICE: 227 Tondo, Brussels, BE. Competition, 1st Prize, 2016-… (under construction)
  • 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-… (under construction).
  • OFFICE: 152 ‘Incubator’, industrial starter’s centre, Waregem, BE. Competition, 1st prize, 2013-2016.
  • 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, 2010-2015.
  • 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, founding partner
  • David Van Severen, founding partner
  • Jan Lenaerts, partner
  • Justine Rossillion, associate
  • Alexander Smedts, associate
  • Jacopo Lugli, associate
  • Jelena Pančevac, academia & communication
  • Seppe Claes, business development
  • Inga Karen Traustadottir, project collaborator
  • Anne van Hout, architect-engineer
  • Antonios Prokos, architect
  • Giovanni Lazzareschi Sergiusti, architect
  • Nicholas Jacobs, architect
  • Shinji Terada, project collaborator
  • Chiara Malerba, architect
  • Virginia Santilli, architect
  • Ivana Cobejova, project collaborator
  • Henri de Chassey, trainee architect
  • Hugo Mazza, project collaborator
  • Margherita Sorgentone, architect
  • Matteo Silverii, architect
  • Leander Venlet, architect
  • Irini Peraki, project collaborator
  • Julius Seniunas, project collaborator
  • Vincent Vanassche, trainee architect
  • Hadrien Nicora, project collaborator
  • Valentina Previtera, architect
  • Thibault de Smet, trainee architect
  • Marcello Carpino, project collaborator
  • Elisa Guarnieri, architect
  • Luzi Speth, project collaborator
  • Tristan Narcy, trainee architect
  • Mathieu Jeukens, architect
  • Federico Taverna, project collaborator
  • Riham El Moazen, architect
  • Charles André, project collaborator
  • Edoardo Massa, architect
  • Côme Rolin, trainee architect
  • Olivier Thomas, trainee architect
  • Ruben Castro, model coordinator
  • Marie Bemelmans, architect
  • Aïcha-Louise Wenger, project collaborator
  • Vitus Michel, apprentice

Previous collaborators (in alphabetical order): Anthony Aelbrecht, Anna Andrich, Filippo Arenosto, Henrik Becker, Nicolas Berrebbi, Amelie Bimberg, Johanna Bindas, Edoardo Biondetti, Steven Bosmans, Neïma Bouzy, Joshua Braegger, Elena Catalano, Edouard Champalle, Mattia Chinellato, Paul Christian, Romain Conti-Granteral, Laurens Decoster, Clara Dahan, Margaux Dequaire, Barbara De Smedt, Gregory Devaud, Pieter De Walsche, Sam Dieltjens, Martin Dumont, Robin Durand, Nenad Đurić, Antoine Espinasseau, Enea Facoetti, Rosa Fens, Augustin Fortuné, Wim François, Yuki Fujita, Alice Galigo, Ziou Gao, Stefano Gariglio, Samuel Genet, Pierre Gernay, Santiago Giusto, Denis Glauden, Leonie Hartung, Stefaan Jamaer, Oriane Jan, Linea Dyrbye Jensen, Jose Cordero Jurado, Mayumi Kanemaru, Joschka Kannen, Ali Karimi, Sacha Ketelbuters, Nicolas Koenig, Sho Kurokawa, Sam Lanckriet, Michael Langeder, Ines Langlois, Jean-Sebastien Lebreton, Quang-Vinh Linh, Saskia Lorenz, Michael Maminski, Ginevra Masiello, Photini Mermiga, Thomas Mertens, Gabi Meszaros, Ronan Murray, Kristin Nothwer, Marlene Oeken, Yuichiro Onuma, Andrea Panzeri, Alexandra Paritzky, Vincenzo Paterno, Stanislas Peeters, Benoît Perrier, Federico Perugini, Gonçalo André Pires, Andrea Pizzini, Andrew Power, Mahsa Ramezanpour, Bert Rogiers, Thaïs de Roquemaurel, Pieter Rozier, Sahar Safieddine, Pietro Salamone, Hugo Santoalha, Paul Schönthaler, Juliane Seehawer, Jorrit Sipkes, Gasper Skalar, Antoine Souché, Insa Streit, Joey Swerdlin, Callum Symmons, Cecilia Tarantino, Evelyn Temmel, Guido Tesio, Tomas Tironi, Tetsuro Toida, Alice Tripet, Clemens Urban, Dieter Van Acker, Valerie Van Roy, Mo Vandenberghe, Antoine Vaxelaire, Matteo Venezian, David Verbeek, Emma Voisin Isdahl, Adeline de Vrij, Sophie Florence Wallis, Hilbrand Wanders, Alexander Wegener, Michele Mario Zanuso, Costanza Zeni

Applications

OFFICE is currently looking for new collaborators.

Job Listings:

1. Image collaborator
– professional experience in the field of architecture visualisation
– proficient in English (Dutch and French are a plus)
– proficient 3D modelling skills and rendering skills
– excellent skills with Adobe Creative Suite
– familiar with OFFICE portfolio
– ability to deal with tight deadlines

2. Project architect
– min requirement 3 years of professional experience
– proficient in Dutch
– excellent command of Adobe Creative Suite and Vectorworks
– fluency in written and spoken English, and any other language is an asset

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.