29 Oct 2014-- The one Belgian architect to be selected for the “Europe 40 Under 40 Award 2014” is Johan De Wachter. The 40 Under 40 competition is organized by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture, Art Design and Urban Studies. With his selection for this award Johan De Wachter is recognized as one of the 40 leading young design talents from Europe.

About the award –Europe 40 Under 40® is an annual awards program that celebrates the next new talented generation of European architects. The program is directed to support new and emerging design talent that will influence the near future of European architectural design, thinking, and theory with the direct consequence of impacting future environments and future European and international cities.

"This year's awarded Europe 40 Under 40," states Christian K. Narkiewicz-Laine, Museum President, The

Chicago Athenaeum, "are some of the brightest and most progressive architects and designers ever selected in this program over the years. Their work is highly innovative, densely imaginative, and full of a new spirit that characterizes European design today."

"The key is to bring wider recognition to 40 of the most promising emerging architects working in the European Union and other countries inside Europe, fostering and encouraging new talent and new creative thinking at the forefront of the profession today.” - Kieran Conlon, Director/COO, The European Centre

Source:  Press release “EUR 40 UNDER 40” (Attachted) from The European Centre.

About Johan De Wachter - After his graduation from University of Louvain Johan de Wachter (1976, Belgium) worked from 2000 to 2004 at O.M.A. (Office for Metropolitan Architecture) of Rem Koolhaas, where he collaborated on many projects and competitions.

Rotterdam & Antwerp design practice - In 2003 he co-founded Fün Design Consultancy (Fündc) and was partner to 2005. In 2005 he started Johan De Wachter Architects ( JDWA). The Rotterdam based JDWA (Johan De Wachter Architects bv) office works with a flexible team of 7 architects and designers on projects in The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Portugal and China. Clients are social housing corporations, project developers, local governments and private parties. In 2011 Johan De Wachter and Rik De Vooght, founded 2DVW Architects. Through this office Johan operates in Belgium.

Teaching - Next to his design practice, Johan teached at the Technical University Delft and The Rotterdam Academy of Architecture and Urban Design.

Submitted projects - Johan participated in the competition with three completed architecture projects, two community centres and one housing project.*

1. ‘Huis van Droo’ (lit. House of Droo) located at the heart of area Droo-South in Duiven (NL) is a community centre new style, with a sports hall, sports school, the neighbourhood lounge, a child daycare centre and para-medic services. The all-round oriented Huis van Droo is a transparent building, the true façade is the inner-façade of the sports hall
2. Kulturhus De Nieuwhof - With the transformation of the Nieuwhof to Kulturhus the area Westervoort South (NL) now has a representative cultural centre with a full array of services for all residents. The existing Nieuwhof was in a poor condition and a thorough 'update' was necessary. "The building was built as a gymnasium, later a socio-cultural centre and a sports hall were added. The various buildings stood with their backs to each other. We re-united these parts and added a shared lobby." Says Johan De Wachter.
3. Brewinc Shed Houses - The Brewinc College is the oldest monument of postwar Doetinchem (NL). The typical fifties trade school consists of some classrooms and some practice rooms with characteristic shed roofs. Through a combination of intensive reuse and demolition/construction we realized 24 unique starter homes with spacious private outdoor space. The building structure of the Shed houses is not only iconic in the city, but also ensures a special living experience with an industrial touch.
   

An exhibition with contributions from all laureates is in preparation. Coming spring 2015 the 40 Under 40 exhibition will open at Contemporary Space Athens and part of the Grand Opening of the new Museum Building in Athen's historic Plaka District. After Athens, the exhibition is scheduled to travel inside Europe.