Complex Projects Design Studio

As an introduction to Complex Projects, the MSc1 design studio called 'Dutch Change' focuses on the Netherlands ground. By getting familiar with the Dutch environment, the MSc students will learn to understand the complex system behind buildings and establish a connection between building design and social changes.

During the design process, students will explore new architectural concepts and building types and they will build up a narrative supporting the architectural design proposal. By identifying and making decisions on the balance between what changes and what remains in Dutch architecture, students will be challenged to explore both the tradition of Dutch planning and building culture. In the end, students will do an architectural design project in a Dutch city. The assignment starts from a broader understanding of the physical context, its past and future planning, environmental issues and climate adaptation on the one hand and an in-depth understanding of the building typological developments on the other hand.

Fall 2025 will be a special edition of the course. The 'Dutch Change' studio extends its focus beyond the Netherlands to include the broader Delta region. The studio will explore the architecture of water infrastructure within the context of the Port of Antwerp, focusing on the design of a nautical coordination centre. Site visits to exemplary buildings in Belgium and the Netherlands are included in the program.