Dom Hans van der Laan in Practice - A Design Manual (New edition)

In this design manual, architect Caroline Voet unravels the design principles of Dutch Benedictine monk and architect Dom Hans van der Laan (1904-1991), offering insights and tools for contemporary architectural practice. Step by step, Voet redraws Van der Laan’s philosophy of The Architectural Space, linking it to his proportional system of the Plastic Number 3:4, through a series of accessible analyses. The core principles underlying Van der Laan’s elemental architecture, as well as compelling interpretations by his ‘Bossche School’ students, are examined through practical examples. Voet demonstrates that these principles are rooted in design traditions ranging from Vitruvius to the Renaissance, while Van der Laan’s specific approach aims for a modern and dynamic spatial experience. This book offers new perspectives for validating the spatial experiments of The Architectural Space and applying them to the complex design challenges of the future.