This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the Royal Institute of Dutch Architects’ (BNA) selection of the Best Building of the Year. With this architecture award, the BNA annually celebrates the beauty of a project in relation to its technical quality and usability and the sociocultural significance of architecture.

Architecture captures the spirit of the times. Over the past two decades, the Dutch construction sector has undergone major shifts. While the government once guided spatial development through memoranda on spatial planning and a robust housing agenda, it has gradually withdrawn in recent decades. At the start of the century, the bold designs of the ‘Super Dutch’ generation received international acclaim, but over time, the role of the architect has changed. Influenced by the financial crisis triggered by Lehman Brothers, growing regulatory pressure, and increasing economization – the ‘spreadsheet mindset’ that came to dominate the construction process – architects adopted a more service-oriented approach to design.

About the exhibition

‘Forms Forward’ shows that architecture can be a driving force behind social transitions, with buildings that are more relational, oriented toward the sociocultural and spatial contexts, and embedded in ecological and landscape frameworks. The exhibition presents architecture as a collaborative discipline that can address various themes, including material and social sustainability. It highlights the repurposing of existing buildings, innovative design and construction methods for carbon-neutral and energy-efficient structures, citizen initiatives, co-creation, and climate adaptation through the addition of green spaces to residential areas. In short, the exhibition presents architecture that aims to create layered relationships and added value. In this architecture, everyone must take responsibility, and the role of clients and government bodies is crucial for lasting change. After all, good commissioning creates the conditions for architecture that truly contributes to our living environment.

With this exhibition, the BNA aims to spark dialogue about the future of building in the Netherlands. ‘Forms Forward’ celebrates the past but also looks ahead: to a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable built environment where architecture is diverse, inspiring, and activating. Looking back to move forward.

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