Kaan Architecture, among many other collaborators, had added and developed the Netherlands American Cemetery Visitor Center in Margraten, Netherlands.

The Netherlands American Cemetery Visitor Center is an addition to an existing and complete monument, offering visitors a special place to learn and reflect amid the tranquillity of the surrounding landscape.

The building claims its own space in the scenically choreographed setting, yet blends harmoniously into the larger whole.

The plaza's slow descent into the landscape leads visitors under the canopy to a place where various WWII events are displayed and stories of soldiers' sacrifices are told, inviting visitors to remember and reflect.

The protective, cantilevered canopy is made of aesthetically layered concrete to complement the monumental whole.

This project has been shortlisted in the civic project category of Dezeen Awards 2024.

Studio: Kaan Architecten
Project: Netherlands American Cemetery Visitor Center
Credits: Kees Kaan, Vincent Panhuysen, Dikkie Scipio, Rita Alessio, Alessandro Arcangeli, Bas Barendse, Alice Colombo, Andrea Gentilini, Thomas Hagemeijer, Adam Kelly, Nicki van Loon, Edoardo Mancini, Alexis Oh, Vincent Panhuysen, Dikkie Scipio, Frane Stancic, Claudio Zampaglione, American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), Karres + Brands, B.V. Hilversum, Pieters Bouwtechniek, Smits Rinsma, HP Engineers, DGMR The Hague, B3 Bouwadviseurs, INEX Architecten, Groep Van Roey, DeClerk & Partners, C.T. de Boer, Deltha, Maris, Dirix and Elsloo