Keynote
MVRDV: Creative Transformation
Jan Knikker
A new dawn needs new cities. MVRDV works on the design of urban environments in response to the
climatic, societal and mobility related challenges we are facing.
Working within our modern cities demanding of urban density, we believe in a number of principles for creating a quality living environment: diversity, freedom, sustainability, happiness, and communal space. We apply these principles to masterplans at all scales, from neighbourhood developments to entire cities.
About the speaker
Jan Knikker
Jan Knikker is Partner, Strategy & Development at MVRDV, a global operating architecture and urbanism practice with a progressive ideal engaged in solving global issues. Before this he started his career as a journalist, and then shaped the public image of OMA for nearly a decade.
As Partner at MVRDV, Jan leads the Contracts, Business Development and Public Relations efforts, forming a client-oriented, fast, and strategic studio that includes a strong visualisation team and the practice’s sustainability team. He leads MVRDV’s branding efforts and has overseen the practice’s rapid expansion into new markets, focusing on solutions for global issues through its architecture and urbanism. He has worked on many publications and exhibitions, including the book MVRDV Buildings. Jan regularly lectures internationally, at commercial and academic venues in Germany (Polis Convention, Stiftung Baukultur), the UK (RIBA), Israel (CTBUH), Colombia (Universidad Nacional, Utadeo), Australia (RMIT), Kuala Lumpur (UCSI), and elsewhere. He writes for various publications and is Deputy Editor of Domus 2019. He is a member of the HNI Heritage Network, led the online design magazine Dafne, and from 2007 to 2011 was a member of the International Projects commission of the Netherlands Architecture Funds.