Atelier Kempe Thill

Work

Lectures

2015	Façades 2015 Stuttgart, KAP Forum Cologne, FORM EPF Lausanne, Münster school of architecture, Bouwinformatie Limburg Genk, EPF Lausanne, Ecole de Malaquais Paris, UIC Chicago, SAFA Jyväskylä
2014	Deubau Essen, TU München, Ghent University, Wohnungsbaukonferenz Berlin, KU Leuven, Architekturforum Burgau, Baukultur Steiermark Graz, EPF Lausanne, Architekturforum Hamburg, TU Einhoven, Ordine Architetti Milano, Zukunft des Wohnens Gelsenkirchen
2013	Architecture festival TurnOn Vienna, BauForum Mainz, Ghent University, Architectuurcentrum Topos Maastricht, ArchitekTOUR Dresden, German University Cairo, American University Cairo, Goethe Institute Cairo, TU Darmstadt, “Soziale Utopie : Ja und Jetzt” Egg, De Energieke Stad Amsterdam, Växjö Konserthus, University of Genoa, TU Hannover, I-am-architect conference Ranst, Maison d’architecture Geneva, University of Mendrisio, Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, University of Ghent, BAI Den Bosch, San Rocco Summer School Genoa, BDA Köln, TU Eindhoven, Architekturinitiative Süd-Pfalz Primasens, EAVT Marne La Vallee, EAVT Strassbourg, Peter Behrens School of architecture Düsseldorf, “Het grote Zorgcongres” Rotterdam
2012	Baukulturwerkstatt Berlin, Contractworld award Hannover, Architektenförening Stockholm, Konsthall Virserum, Masters of Collective Housing Madrid, University of Oslo, Hochschule Detmold, MaHKU Utrecht, Orgatech Cologne, Façade Kunstfestival Middelburg, Academie van Bouwkunst Amsterdam, BOZAR Brussel, Benaki Museum Athens
2011	Baumesse Munich, TU Dresden, BDA Stuttgart, “Architektengespräche” Heilbronn, Artesis Antwerp, Stadtdialog Bremen, FH Oldenburg, Forum Architektura Warsaw, TU Berlin, Architektursommer Darmstadt, Forum Katowice, TU Vienna, Institut Francais d’ Architecture Paris, CAUE 92 Paris, Universität Kassel, Architectuurwijzer Ghent, Vlaams Architectuurinstituut Antwerp
2010	Bauhaus Universität Weimar, Messe Düsseldorf, AVB Rotterdam (2x), Gallery Fragnera Prague, Atelier Rijksbouwmeester Den Haag, “Roter Salon” Bremen, RIAI Dublin, FH Trier, NTNU Trondheim, National Museum of Decorative Arts Trondheim, AIR Rotterdam, FH Trier
2009	TU Berlin, TU Delft, Symposium Tilburg, University of Belgrade (2x), TU Hannover, Forum San Francisco, Y-Kantine Amsterdam, TU Dresden, AIA Chapter San Francisco, Sofia Architecture Week, Tallinn University of Technology
2008	Willem de Kooning Academie Rotterdam, FH Osnabrück, Vloer 12 Rotterdam, Europan Forum Dresden, Deutsches Architekturmuseum Frankfurt, ARCAM Amsterdam, Uni Stuttgart, Uni Bochum, Detailsymposium Neumarkt
2007	KEK Budapest, Architectuurwijzer Hasselt, Architectuurschool Hasselt, Architekturforum Biel, TU Delft, Archistenforum Antwerp, Cheops Eindhoven, Maxxi Rome, De Jonge Balie Rotterdam, Berlage Institute Rotterdam, RWTH Aachen, St.Lucas Ghent, Academie Groningen, Stichting St. Jan Roosendaal, Aorta Utrecht
2006	Rotary Gouda, Museum Münster, Bouwrai Amsterdam, Bouwhuis Apeldoorn, Uni Hannover, FH Darmstadt, Forum Bukarest
2005	Architectuur centrum GRAS Groningen, TU Delft (4x), Uni Utrecht, TU Berlin, ÖGFA Vienna, “Alte Meister“ Dresden, Wohnbaukolloqium Dresden, Goethe-Institut Rotterdam
2004	University of Sevilla, TU Berlin, Bauministerium Berlin, dS+V Gemeente Rotterdam, Academie van Bouwkunst Maastricht, TU Delft
2003	“Visiones de la Vivienda Futuro” Barcelona, Academie van Bouwkunst Tilburg (2x), TU Berlin, Academie voor de Kunsten Arnhem, FH Cologne, TU Karlsruhe, “Salon Rotterdam” NAI Rotterdam, TU Cottbus
2002	Kokushikan university Tokyo, Academie van Bouwkunst Rotterdam (2x)
2001	TU Dresden
2000	Architekturgalerie Weißlack Dresden
1999	Academie voor de kunsten Arnhem, Europan Forum Geneva
1998	FH Dresden
1994	Kokushikan University Tokyo

Atelier Kempe Thill | Architects and Planners | Rotterdam

DESIGN STATEMENT

Since the nineties, contemporary architecture is being confronted more and more with a contradictory phenomenon that appears on all scales and working fields. Architects are asked on one hand to produce very neutral and anonymous buildings that can be changed easily, are able to react on changing economic situations and are adaptable to different programs. On the other hand at the same time, they are asked to create very specific buildings that are easy to identify, possessing pleasant form with unique spaces and can be enjoyed by the users. Atelier Kempe Thill takes this modern paradox very consciously as the point of departure of the work. The office is by this able to create structures that are neutral and economic as well as being enjoyable and innovative. By doing so, architecture is free to express the hidden vitality of our time.

PROFILE

The working field of the office belongs within the realms of urban planning, public building and housing, but also research, education and publishing. Given the opportunity the office enters the design process earlier than normal shifting the emphasis from just solving problems to searching for the right questions. From an early stage the office is working closely together with various technical advisors to investigate all the design possibilities and push the project to its limits. By this the office is able to offer new solutions for the spatial organization and a better detailing of the building within the given, often limited — budgets. The pleasure of designing is combined with professional management. The quality of our work is important, therefore, the office prefers to work on the basis of full commission during the whole process allowing the office to guarantee a good product.

SHORT OFFICE HISTORY

Atelier Kempe Thill architects and planners was founded in 2000 by the two German architects, André Kempe (’68) and Oliver Thill (’71), following their Europan 5 winning proposal of three hundred dwellings in Kop van Zuid, Rotterdam. While this project didn’t result in a commission, the office survived the recession of 2002–2004 and has been able to position itself well within the European architectural scene. In the last fifteen years the practice has grown from a ‘twoman band’ to a stable, mediumsized office with around twenty five employees. The office’s range of work has systematically broadened since its foundation. Beginning with collective housing and small public building commissions, the practice portfolio has developed to include large renovation, infrastructure and urban design projects. Singlesided specialisation and the consequent limitations have been avoided through the wide diversity of commissions; as a result the practice is also more economically stable. Since its foundation, Atelier Kempe Thill has tried not to limit itself to the Netherlands, but instead establish itself within the wider European market. Through its participation in over one hundred and twenty international competitions, the office has acquired commissions in the Austria, Belgium, Egypt, France, Germany, Morocco, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Atelier Kempe Thill is becoming increasingly well known in architectural circles. In the last fifteen years the office has appeared in around five hundred publications worldwide, amongst which were two monographs. In addition, the office’s partners have given more than two hundred lectures. This professional recognition enables the office to acquire increasingly complex projects and compete with the larger, more commercial practices.

PARTNERS

ANDRÉ KEMPE

Born in Freiberg, East Germany, in 1968 and studied at the TU Dresden. He is a founding partner of the Rotterdam based firm Atelier Kempe Thill, which he directs together with Oliver Thill since 2000. André Kempe has been engaged as studio master at the Delft University of Technology and the Academie van Bouwkunst in both Arnhem and Rotterdam. He was a invited professor at the EPF Lausanne and teaches currently as a professor at the PBSA Düsseldorf. André Kempe has given more than one hundred public lectures worldwide. He was a board member of Young European Architects and is currently board member of the MONU magazine.

OLIVER THILL

Born in KarlMarxStadt, East Germany, in 1971 and studied at the TU Dresden. He is a founding partner of the Rotterdam based firm Atelier Kempe Thill, which he directs together with André Kempe. Oliver Thill has been engaged as studio master at the Delft University of Technology, the Academie van Bouwkunst in both Arnhem and Rotterdam, and the Berlage Institute Rotterdam and Delft. He was a invited professor at the EPF Lausanne and teaches currently as a professor at the PBSA Düsseldorf. Oliver Thill has given more than one hundred public lectures worldwide. He was a board member of the Jaap Bakema Foundation Rotterdam and writes on a regular basis for the European architecture magazine “San Rocco”.

THE TEAM

The office has currently about twenty employees of seven different nationalities.

Current staff: Antje Rohr, David van Eck, Jan Gerrit Wessels, Jeroen de Waal, Karin Wolf, Kento Tanabe, Kim van Kempen, Laura Paschke, Louis Lacorde, Marc van Bemmel, Martins Duselis, Nick Mols, Nynke Bergstra, Pauline Durand, Ruud Smeelen, Saskia Hermanek, Stephanie van der Hor, Teun van der Meulen en Valérie Van de Velde

PREVIOUS TEAM

Andre Boucsein, Andris Rubenis, Andrius Raguotis, Anja Mueller, AnneLaure Gerlier, Ascen Barranco, Blanca Sanchez Babe’, Blas Anton, Charline Busson, Christine Wrede, Cormac Murray, Cornelia Sailer, Daniela Bergmann, Darrin Spel, Dik Houben, Dorte Borressen, Ernst Steppon, Frank Verzijden, Freya Wisman, Giorgio Terraneo, Goekcen Temelci, Helen Webster, Hendrik Metselaar, Jeroen Heintzbergen, Jitske Torenstra, Karel Kubza, Kingman Brewster, Kuba Narloch, Marcel Geerdink, Mareike Krautheim, Marion Serre, Martin Hättasch, Michael Schwaiger, Nadja Borkowski, Paddy Siewerts, Pauline Marcombe, Peter Graf, Philip Stalbohm, Rafael Alencar Saraiva, Renzo Sgolacchia, Roel van der Zeeuw, Rookje Meijerink, Roswitha Abraham, Sebastian Heinemeyer, Sezen Zehra Beldag, Stefanie Diwischek, Takashi Nakamura, Tobias Winthuis, Thomas Antener, Tomasz Stanislawczyk, Vivianna Muscettola, Wim Bruneel, Yves Franchimon.