Today, Jan Benthem and Mels Crouwel were awarded the Frans Banninck Cocq Medal by deputy Mayor Hester van Buren. The prize recognizes their exceptional architectural and urban planning contributions to the city of Amsterdam.

WELL KNOWN DESIGNS

Jan Benthem and Mels Crouwel are the founders of Benthem Crouwel Architects, which has built an impressive portfolio over the years both domestically and internationally. In and around Amsterdam, they designed the Ziggo Dome and all the stations of the North/South metro line. They also renovated Amsterdam Central Station, RAI Amsterdam, the Stedelijk Museum, and the Anne Frank House. They were responsible – since 1988 as lead architects - for the Masterplan and expansion of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Other well-known designs include the De Pont Museum in Tilburg, Rotterdam and Utrecht Central stations, and the Academic Centre for Dentistry (ACTA) in Amsterdam.

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX CHALLENGES

In their 45 years of collaboration, Jan Benthem and Mels Crouwel realized a wide range of international projects, ranging from airports to stations, museums and residences to universities and offices, and from bridges to concert halls. "Complex problems deserve simple solutions" was always their guiding principle. They had a great affinity for innovative techniques and, where possible, modular construction and flexible building. Moreover, they always looked beyond just architecture: the buildings had to be optimally integrated into the city.

BENTHEM CROUWEL ARCHITECTS: 'BEYOND ARCHITECTURE'

Earlier this year, Benthem and Crouwel left the architectural firm that has been led under the name Benthem Crouwel Architects since 2017 by the four partners Pascal Cornips, Daniel Jongtien, Saartje van der Made and Joost Vos. The firm is currently working on prestigious projects both nationally and internationally, including Museum Arnhem, the Palazzo residential project in 's-Hertogenbosch, various projects in the Czech Republic, including the Master plan for a major train station in Brno, Brussels Airport, three metro stations in Paris, and a datacenter in Stuttgart.

FRANS BANNINCK COCQ MEDAL

The Frans Banninck Cocq Medal is awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Amsterdam over a period of at least twelve years. The medal is also awarded to those who have made exceptionally large contributions to Amsterdam in the fields of sports, science, journalism, art, politics, economics, with a national or international impact.

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