New Expertise Joins ARCAM's 2026 Program Council for Amsterdam's Built Environment
The Amsterdam Centre for Architecture (ARCAM) has announced the full composition of its Program Council for 2026, introducing two new professionals to its advisory board. Denise Koeleveld and Lizan Hegeman are set to contribute their expertise, bringing fresh perspectives to ARCAM's programming and discussions on Amsterdam's urban development and architectural future.
Understanding ARCAM's Program Council
ARCAM's Program Council serves a vital role by offering valuable input and actively shaping the content and direction of the center's exhibitions and programs. This diverse group of experts from architecture and related sectors ensures that ARCAM's initiatives remain relevant and impactful, reflecting a broad range of viewpoints on the city's built environment.
Introducing Denise Koeleveld
Denise Koeleveld joins the council as a concept developer for spatial quality at housing corporation Ymere. An architect by training from TU Delft, her experience spans architecture and development. She is responsible for selecting architects and defining project briefs for Ymere, and champions timber construction and sustainable building practices. Koeleveld's particular focus lies in the quality of housing layouts and preserving human scale within large-scale urban projects. She expressed her enthusiasm for bringing the perspective of social housing to ARCAM's important discussions on Amsterdam's future.
Introducing Lizan Hegeman
Lizan Hegeman, an urban developer at BPD, also takes a seat on the council. With nearly a decade of experience in area development, she integrates spatial quality, social value, and design. Her background includes working with the municipality of Amsterdam, enabling her to move smoothly between policy, design, and implementation. Hegeman is dedicated to creating a more inclusive and livable city by critically examining the effects of spatial choices on identity and community well-being. She advocates for connecting designers, developers, policymakers, and residents to foster new perspectives for Amsterdam and its surrounding areas.
A Diverse Council for 2026
With these new appointments, and following the conclusion of terms for Pinar Balat and Khashayar Ghiabi, the 2026 Program Council is now complete. The council comprises a wide array of professionals, including economists, urban planners, architects, landscape architects, and historians, ensuring a comprehensive and critical approach to Amsterdam's architectural discourse. The full council includes Najah Aouaki, Preetika Balasubramanian, Ahmed Emin Batman, Peter van Assche, Joost Emmerik, Lizan Hegeman, Dirk van den Heuvel, Cécila Gross, Denise Koeleveld, and Annuska Pronkhorst.
Shaping the Amsterdam Architecture Prize 2026
One of the Program Council's first significant responsibilities for 2026 will be to determine the ten nominated projects for the prestigious Amsterdam Architecture Prize. Each council member will compile a personal top five from projects completed within the municipality of Amsterdam during 2025. The shortlisted projects will then be visited by the Program Council, which will convene in February to finalize the ten nominations. These selections are slated for official announcement in March via Het Parool.
These new additions to ARCAM's Program Council highlight the center's ongoing commitment to robust discussion and informed decision-making regarding the future of Amsterdam's built environment. Visitors keen to understand the city's evolving architectural landscape can explore ARCAM's current offerings. To discover more about cultural spots and architectural highlights in the city, consider browsing museums in Amsterdam or exploring the Amsterdam map on Musemap (musemap.art).
