Van Bergen Kolpa Architects is an international architectural office based in Rotterdam the Netherlands. The office engages with clients, stakeholders and innovators that aspire sustainable developments for the city of today and tomorrow. The architectural projects can be identified by strong concepts, based on solid research translated into clear spatial design. Architecture for food and Architecture for living is the expertise of the office.
Balance between programme, landscape & natural resources
Central to Van Bergen Kolpa's working method is the creation of a balance - a natural ecology - between programme, landscape and natural resources. Their designs are spatial constellations that organize materials, people and energy into a coherent whole – a three-dimensional model of growing architecture. This makes the power of architecture, in a time characterized by intensive use of space and environmental challenges, of great importance and highly relevant for the future.
Awards and International exhibitions
The work of van Bergen Kolpa has gained worldwide appreciation through numerous international publications. The office is awarded the World Architecture Festival Award, Belgian Construction Award, the Charlotte Köhler Prize, the Dutch Prix the Rome and shortlisted the Dezeen Award, Arc22 Award, the Job Dura Prize and the Architecture Prize Almere. Their work is exhibited worldwide in Europe, New York and San Francisco USA, Shanghai China, Moscow Russia, Baku Azerbaijan, Mumbai India, Casablanca Morocco, Mexico City and the Architecture Biennale of São Paolo Brazil.
Work in progress
Van Bergen Kolpa's current work involves the realisation of 12.000m2 vertical farms in Hengshui and Beijing China, a 21.000m2 mixed high-rise tower and a circular wooden tower both in the Rotterdam city centre, various housing developments in the Netherlands and a 5.000m2 greenhouse horticulture research centre for Wageningen University.
Design team and knowledge network
Van Bergen Kolpa Architects is organized around its best-developed capacity: designing and realizing architectural projects on the basis of solid research. In the studio, a compact, enthusiastic team of university trained designers work under the leadership of two Principal Architects Jago van Bergen and Evert Kolpa. Over the years, we have accumulated working experience with a worldwide network of building engineers, agricultural scientists and ecologists who support the firm in its design activities. With this design team we can seek the specific enrichment and expertise that accords best with the client’s ambition.
