Research & Publications

The group Architecture Archives of the Future is situated at the intersections of advanced architectural design and research, history and theory, archival studies and museology. The backbone of the group's research activities is formed by a consistent questioning of the legacies of modern architecture of the twentieth century including its contestations, and their relevancy for contemporary architecture and urban planning. Post-colonial critique and queer-feminist theories are among the natural conceptual tools to rethink canonical historiographies, and expand the discourse to include overlooked and marginalised voices. In addition to the focus on architecture archives as such, subject matter involves architectural typologies for school design, data centres and housing among others, analyses of architectural oeuvres, and architectural discourse in the form of exhibitions and journals.

PhD programmes

The group has initiated a special programme on Architecture and Democracy to ensure relevant socio-political embedding of its research activities. Together with Maastricht University and the Amsterdam Reinwardt Academy we also participate in the NWO sponsored project The Critical Visitor, which centres issues of diversity and inclusion in heritage practices with a focus on archival studies and museology.

Jaap Bakema Study Centre

The group's activities are closely connected with the Jaap Bakema Study Centre, the research collaboration between the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment and Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam, which hosts the Dutch national collection of architecture and urban planning. Collaborative activities include the annual Bakema conference series, public seminars, PhD programmes and educational exchanges.