1.75 ConEd Learning Hours
8:30 am - 10:15 am

Kick off the Conference with a special welcome from OAA President Ted Wilson before a deep dive by Jan Knikker, partner and director of strategy at MVRDV, who explores the Reshaping Communities theme through the work of the award-winning Rotterdam-founded architectural and urban design practice.

The stereotype of the architect as a solitary artistic genius is being replaced by the image of the architect as the central figure or conductor in an orchestra of various stakeholders, from the construction team to neighbours and even their pets. In this lecture, Knikker aims to share how MVRDV approaches its projects—from individual buildings to large-scale urban master plans—through a participatory process, and how this additional effort leads to more meaningful results. Featured projects include such large-scale urban plans as the masterplan for Glasgow's city centre, the demographic transformation of Almere, Netherlands, and the rebuilding of a Dutch village devastated by a series of earthquakes.

Learning Objectives
1. Learn about engaging the community in the design process, especially when there is anger and frustration.
2. Explore overcoming resistance through participatory processes.
3. Understand the large-scale demographic impact on urban areas through participatory planning.
4. Explore how architects and urban planners can step back and take on the role of facilitators.

Jan Knikker, MVRDV

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