Marc Koehler's Architect in Residence #4: Exploring Open Building at Arcam Architecture Centre

Marc Koehler served as Arcam's Architect in Residence in 2019, focusing on the concept of 'Open Building'. This residency explored flexible and industrial construction methods based on Prof. N.J. Habraken's principles of separating structural systems for adaptability.

From October 2019, Marc Koehler, founder of Marc Koehler Architects (MKA) and Superlofts, held the position of Architect in Residence at Arcam. His focus was on bringing the concept of 'Open Building' to wider attention. Open Building is based on the principles of Prof. N.J. Habraken, advocating for a radical separation of structural systems, allowing for independent adaptation of the supporting framework and the internal components. This approach, originating from Habraken's research in the 1960s into alternatives for mass housing that prioritized human scale and collectivity, enables individual living spaces to be adjusted to residents' lifestyles. The Open Building movement has gained significant traction in the Netherlands due to its alignment with circular economy principles and the demand for future-proof buildings adaptable to market changes. MKA observes the increasing importance of this thinking, leading Koehler to co-found Open Building NL with several other architectural firms to further promote these ideas.

This entry details an architectural residency and concept exploration. Specific ticketing information for this residency is not provided on the page, but general visitor information for Arcam can be found under 'Plan je bezoek'. The residency concept itself is presented as an exploration of architectural ideas rather than a ticketed exhibition.