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  • ec | aamatters

    elena cattani During those months I felt like we planted a seed somewhere between the Michenzani Blocks. It makes me feel really excited to see that the seed seems to start growing into a plant! a Steven Zijlstra (28), holding a Master’s degree (ir./MSc.) in Real Estate and Housing from the Delft University of Technology. After my graduation in 2015 I had the chance to work on the housing research at AA Matters. Since June 2015, I work at Diepenhorst de Vos and Partners in The Hague as a project manager / (delegated) project developer. My main focus lies on the redevelopment of shopping center Colmschate, Deventer (Holland). I am passionate about redevelopment projects in a complex context, to improve that context while representing the desires of the client. My field of expertise is project (re)development, project management and real estate finance. projects involved Housing Strategies in a Historic Urban Landscape I researched the housing strategies and did a feasibility study to densify the Neighbourhood of Ng’ambo while respecting its tangible and intangible heritage, which eventually resulted in the Ng’ambo Housing Action Plan. I really enjoyed my time in Zanzibar and Tanzania. Great and dedicated people, good fun. During those months I felt like we planted a seed somewhere between the Michenzani Blocks. It makes me feel really excited to see that the seed seems to start growing into a plant! Another moment I can remember and cherish was the signing session of the shareholder meeting of Hifadhi Zanzibar. A big moment and such a good initiative for Zanzibar City. back to the team overview

  • Learning from Casablanca | aamatters

    To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Learning from Casablanca CategorY Research , Education , Exhibition ​ Period 2010 - 2011 ​ AAmatters team Belinda van Buiten Berend van der Lans Antie Kaan Andrea Kurzbein Brendan Culley Ivan Thung Elena Catani Jeroen van der Drift ​ Partners /Collaborators Casamemoire College Superieure de l’architecture de Casablanca University Hassan 2 University of Utrecht – Social Geography Department TU Delft – Architecture Stimuleringsfonds Netherlands Architecture Institute ​ Relevant links facebook page NAi article Archdaily article Local news article Vimeo video Thesis Brendan Culley Thesis Andrea Kurzbein ​ tags #placemaking #spontaneous city #adaptation #urban planning #public space #social architecture #architecture without architects Casablanca served as laboratory for European architects to experiment with modernist mass housing in the 40’s and 50’s. The visions of modernist architecture spread all over the world, suggesting new structures in housing, work, transport, and leisure. The spatial structure in Casablanca has been extremely transformed and appropriated by the inhabitants over time to respond to the requirements and aspirations of everyday life. A multi-disciplinary study was undertaken with schools and their students from Morocco and the Netherlands in a co-production between the team of Casamemoire, consisting of Abderrahim Kassou and Laure Augereau and the team of AAmatters. The College Superieure de l'Architecture de Casablanca was represented by its director Abdelmoumen Benabdeljalil and Karim Rouissi, while Prof. Tom Avermaete was leading the research team from Delft. The study focused on the spontaneous adaptation that took place in Casablanca and what was at the basis of the fact that it often resulted in socio-cultural and economic successes. The results were presented in an exhibition at the Sacre Coeur in Casablanca in November 2011, in connection with the African Perspectives conference that was organised by ArchiAfrika and the Ecole Superieure de l’Architecture of Casablanca. A series of debates focused on the possibilities that this could bring to contemporary city planning. Relevant projects Abattoir Casablanca Power of Spontaneity Ng’ambo Atlas back to the projects overview

  • ac | aamatters

    Amélie chauvin AA Matters’ knowledge, experience and background are extremely valuable. back to the team overview Executive associate architect Following her early years at the University of Avignon where she studied History, Amélie enrolled in the School of Applied Arts ‘Bellecour’ in Lyon, where she began as an art student but eventually achieving her bachelor degree in Space Design. She, then, entered the Brittany School of Architecture in Rennes, France and received the Diploma of Architecture in 2012. The following years she studied at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, attending the master “Design for Sustainable Development” and graduated as an architect in 2014. For her postgraduate master’s degree, she submitted, along with Alexandra Papadaki, a design proposal for a new form of social housing in Ng’ambo, Zanzibar Town, Tanzania which drew the attention of local authorities and initiated a three-years collaboration with the Department of Urban and Rural Planning (DoURP) of Zanzibar as well as with AAmatters on various projects. Now back in her homeland, she is working as architect at ‘NGA Atelier’ in Corsica, France since April 2017. projects involved Amélie’s expertise encompasses architecture, urban planning and graphic design. She has been a part of Ng’ambo Tuitakayo project from its inception, involved also in the organization and coordination of numerous workshops and community consultations. Along with Alexandra Papadaki, she was involved in the graphic design of several national documents such as the National Spatial Development Strategy (NSDS) for Zanzibar and the Chwaka Local Area Plan (LAP) . Recently, she has been an active member of the team responsible of the production of the Ng’ambo Local Area Plan both as architect and graphic designer. ​ 'Back in 2014, as a young architect stepping out from the school for the first time, I couldn’t think of a better springboard than collaborating closely with AAmatters’ team. Its knowledge, experience and background are extremely valuable for any architect sensitive to architecture and urbanism in historical cities, emerging cities or megacities wanting to address challenges of complex urban conditions in their work.'

  • immanuel | aamatters

    These projects have challenged our understanding of vernacular architecture and building methods where knowledge is been explored through stages and sequences of ‘making things’: building spaces through the art of craftsmanship. Immanuel Kwaku Sirron-Kakpor architect Immanuel sirron-kakpor (1968) holds a master’s degree in architecture from the academy of architecture in Amsterdam. Born in Ghana, he resided in the Netherlands between 1994 and 2012. He studied architectural design at royal academy of fine arts The Hague, architecture and urban design at royal Danish academy school of architecture Copenhagen – Denmark. ​ Immanuel is founder and a principal architect at Sirron-Kakpor Architects which have an office in Accra - Ghana. Having worked with several offices in the Netherlands: -, Jo Coenen & co architects Amsterdam, Vera Yanovshtchinsky Architects Bv – The Hague and The Hague Municipal Department of urban development. projects involved It has been a great experience collaborating with AAMatters, starting from African Perspectives in delft, Accra revisited ¸ blueprints of paradise and VOLTASCAPES: rethinking modernity - a master's thesis on a redevelopment proposal for Danyigba in the Volta region in Ghana. ​ These projects have challenged our understanding of vernacular architecture and building methods where knowledge is been explored through stages and sequences of ‘making things’: building spaces through the art of craftsmanship. back to the team overview

  • Ng’ambo Atlas | aamatters

    To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Ng’ambo Atlas CategorY Research , Publication ​ Period 2016 - 2017 ​ AAmatters team Antoni Folkers Iga Perzyna Marie Morel Alexandra Papadaki Amelie Chauvin Berend van der Lans ​ Partners /Collaborators Department of Urban and Rural Planning Zanzibar City of Amsterdam African Studies Centre Leiden Creative Industries Fund ​ Relevant links ​ ​ ​ tags #urban planning #intangible heritage #immaterial culture #placemaking #GO-HUL #finding stories #mapping Relevant projects Ng’ambo Tuitakayo Finding Stories Ng’ambo Housing Research Learning from Casablanca Ng’ambo atlas. Historic Urban Landscape of Zanzibar Town’s ‘Other Side’ ​ Ng’ambo Atlas is the concluding chapter of the Ng’ambo Tuitakayo Project undertaken by the Department of Urban and Rural Planning in Zanzibar and African Architecture Matters, in collaboration with the City of Amsterdam between 2012 and 2016. ​ The goal of the project was to prepare a local area plan (structure plan) for the new city centre of Zanzibar’s capital. From the beginning, our planning exercises were grounded in the notions of urban culture and heritage, while the principles outlined in the UNESCO Recommendation on Historic Urban Landscape provided us with a framework for the subsequent stages of our work. ​ It did not take much time before we realized that the cultural and historic richness of Stone Town’s ‘Other Side’ merited a wider recognition than a technical planning document would allow for. For this reason we decided to collect our findings in an atlas – a format that on the one hand enabled us to bring together and present Ng’ambo’s rich planning history through historic maps and plans, while on the other to draw attention to the outcomes of the mapping of the material and immaterial cultural landscape conducted during the project. ​ Ng’ambo is the lesser known ‘Other Side’ of Zanzibar Town. During the British Protectorate the area was designated as the ‘Native Quarters’, today it is set to become the new city centre of Zanzibar’s capital. Local and international perceptions of the cultural and historical importance of Ng’ambo have for a long time remained overshadowed by the social and cultural divisions created during colonial times. One thing is certain: despite its limited international fame and lack of recognition of its importance, Ng’ambo has played and continues to play a vital role in shaping the urban environment of Zanzibar Town. Ng’ambo atlas presents over hundred years of Ng’ambo’s history and urban development through maps, plans, surveys and images, and provides insights into its present-day cultural landscape through subjects such as architecture, toponymy, cultural activities, public recreation, places for social interaction, handcrafts and urban heritage. ​ The Atlas was launched on the 24th of January 2019 in the Klein Auditorium, Academy Building, of Leiden University in the Netherlands, and on the 13th of July 2019 in the Hifadhi building on Kiponda street, in Zanzibar Tanzania. ​ The Atlas is published by LM Publishers and can be ordered via their website. It is also available online in digital format through the website of the African Studies Centre Leiden, here . ​ The research, production and publication has been made possible through the generous support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the Creative Industries Fund NL, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dar es Salaam, EFL Foundation and the City of Amsterdam. back to the projects overview

  • Team | aamatters

    the team iga perzyna Director architectural historian alexandra papadaki Executive associate architect engineer Franka van Marrewijk Executive associate urban planner & designer marie morel Associate anthropologist, urban planner & researcher berend van der lans Associate architect our pool of experts Amélie chauvin architect Antoni Folkers architect / co-founder of AAM belinda van buiten architect / artist Nicole bolomey heritage and landscape specialist aurora kazi bassett history of cities and city planning / project manager Immanuel Kwaku Sirron-Kakpor architect antie kaan project and mediatheque support Brendan Culley social geographer / urban project manager Sarah Benbouazza architect & urban planner / intern Steven Zijlstra real estate / project manager / researcher Marloes Hamelink cultural anthropologist / qualitative researcher Rachel Jenkins visual & communication strategies network

  • News | aamatters

    KAMPALA, MUSEUM, CMP, workshop & building heritage awarness - all in one video A recap of the week-long international workshop in Kampala in 2020 during which the team started to work on the project. In the words of... The Conservation Management Plan for THE Uganda NATIONAL Museum is out! It’s been a long time in the making, but the first conservation plan for the Uganda National Museum is finally available for download. We... Our participatory tool at the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-ÉtiennE! 2022 is the year of the «Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Étienne», a major cultural event where designers, researchers,... With a year’s delay the exhibition ‘It happens here’ finally opens its doors to the public Can you plan do-it-yourself culture? How do you design a street with the entire neighbourhood? And how do you renew a city without losing... join us in the next Localtalks session! Coming Wednesday, Localworks is hosting another of its special online sessions: Localtalks. This time the topic is based on preserving... It happens here! - podcast series available online In a new podcast series ‘It happens here’, initiators, experts and facilitators explore in conversation to what extent ‘places’ can... Blueprint for Majestic Cinema - every ending is always a new beginning On the 15th of February 2021 the Blueprint for Majestic Cinema project funded by Culture at Work Africa and co-funded by the European... Roleplaying for playgrounds at the RISE Africa 2021 Action Festival! We are excited to invite you to join our session during the RISE Africa 2021 Action Festival to create an imaginary playground with us!... Manifestation Amstelkerk postponed It happens here. (as soon as possible) Due to the latest Covid-19 related measures all activities in the Amstelkerk have been postponed until further notice. A tough, but... It happens here. Discover how to make a city together! Can you plan do-it-yourself culture? How do you design a street with the entire neighbourhood? And how do you renew a city without losing... 1 2 3 4 5 Featured With a year’s delay the exhibition ‘It happens here’ finally opens its doors to the public Recent news KAMPALA, MUSEUM, CMP, workshop & building heritage awarness - all in one video The Conservation Management Plan for THE Uganda NATIONAL Museum is out! Our participatory tool at the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-ÉtiennE! With a year’s delay the exhibition ‘It happens here’ finally opens its doors to the public join us in the next Localtalks session! Search By CAtegories Publication (8) 8 posts Research (6) 6 posts Event (21) 21 posts Exhibition (11) 11 posts Presentation (16) 16 posts Education (4) 4 posts Consultancy (1) 1 post Community (5) 5 posts Workshop (5) 5 posts Urban planning (6) 6 posts Search By Tags collaboration festival heritage online workshop participatory design playgrounds podcast rise africa roleplay sustainable urban future talks tanzania Uganda urban zanzibar Archive December 2022 (2) 2 posts April 2022 (1) 1 post October 2021 (1) 1 post September 2021 (1) 1 post May 2021 (3) 3 posts October 2020 (1) 1 post September 2020 (1) 1 post October 2019 (5) 5 posts August 2019 (1) 1 post March 2019 (2) 2 posts February 2019 (1) 1 post January 2019 (2) 2 posts September 2018 (1) 1 post March 2018 (1) 1 post February 2018 (3) 3 posts November 2017 (1) 1 post October 2017 (1) 1 post September 2017 (1) 1 post August 2017 (1) 1 post April 2017 (1) 1 post February 2017 (1) 1 post November 2016 (1) 1 post September 2016 (1) 1 post July 2016 (2) 2 posts May 2016 (1) 1 post April 2016 (2) 2 posts February 2016 (2) 2 posts January 2016 (3) 3 posts December 2015 (3) 3 posts November 2015 (1) 1 post October 2015 (1) 1 post September 2015 (1) 1 post July 2015 (1) 1 post June 2015 (4) 4 posts February 2015 (2) 2 posts January 2015 (1) 1 post November 2014 (1) 1 post September 2014 (1) 1 post August 2014 (1) 1 post May 2014 (2) 2 posts April 2014 (4) 4 posts February 2014 (2) 2 posts December 2013 (1) 1 post October 2013 (1) 1 post September 2013 (1) 1 post April 2013 (4) 4 posts February 2013 (1) 1 post January 2013 (2) 2 posts November 2012 (1) 1 post October 2012 (1) 1 post JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER! Subscribe to our mailing list for news and updates Follow Us

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