Exhibition ‘11 ex-pat architects’ Schiphol

The Netherlands have been a major source of inspiration for young architects worldwide over the last years. Attracted by the specific architectural context young foreign architects came to Holland. In fact, this new Golden Era of Dutch architecture lasted approximately a decade, basically the nineties of the 20th century.

After the 90’s party was over, the self-imported architects basically reacted in two ways. The majority returned to their home countries and practice there what they have learned here. Others decided to stay and practice in today’s quite different cultural and political context. But today, mayor competitions are assigned to the few ‘safe’ and well-established offices. However, at the same time, today’s context gives birth to a new dynamic: a chance to take a next step ahead and leave the 90ies behind.

Exploring what the brain-gain of foreign architects adds to the Dutch context is the aim of the exhibition ’11 ex-pats’. What is the practice of those expatriate architects who stayed? How do they operate? What are their economic and creative strategies? How do the architectural origins of these immigrants influence today’s Dutch context? How much space is there (still) for experiment and innovation?