Nieuwe Instituut and the Archis Foundation announce a long-term partnership that will see Volume magazine, the bi-annual international journal of architecture and design culture, become a collaboration between the two organisations. Starting with the print and digital editions of Volume #63: The Not-so-Easy Guide to Interior Design and Volume #64: World Review in December 2023, the publication will act as a cross-pollinator between its in-depth editorial content and the research and programmes of the Nieuwe Instituut, while maintaining its editorial independence under its current editor-in-chief, Stephan Petermann.
Volume is an independent magazine that sets the agenda for architecture and design. Moving beyond the definition of architecture as ‘making buildings’, it strives for global perspectives on designing environments, advocates broader attitudes to social structures and reclaims the cultural and political significance of architecture. Created as a global platform of ideas to give a voice to architecture in any way, anywhere and anytime, it represents the expansion of architectural territories and the new mandate for design
The collaboration between the Archis Foundation, the publisher of Volume, and the Nieuwe Instituut, the Netherlands Institute for Architecture, Design and Digital Culture, reflects a broader conviction that the complex issues facing society today can only be addressed through joint efforts. Substantial impact on society can be achieved by international cross-fertilisation between fields and sectors, linking expertise and tackling complex issues together.
Although this is a new collaboration, the two organisations have a shared history. The Netherlands has a tradition of strong, coherent policies on architecture, urbanism and planning, with incentive schemes that created a multi-layered network of institutions, institutes and design practices. In this context, the former magazine Archis (the predecessor of Volume and the journal for architecture, the city and visual culture dating back to 1929) functioned as an independent department of the Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAi), which in turn was the predecessor of the Nieuwe Instituut. Now, almost 20 years later, the two organisations are reunited through this partnership.
Each partner will use its own tools, from presenting and collecting to editing and publishing, to share knowledge and stimulate discussion. Together, they will organise a series of lectures and debates in various venues in Amsterdam and other cities, and work together on research projects.
Aric Chen, General and Artistic Director, Nieuwe Instituut: “Nieuwe Instituut and Volume both aim to look at the world through the critical lens of design and related disciplines in order to challenge conventional understandings. Together, we can expand our thinking, perspectives and reach even further, which is why we are so excited about this collaboration.”
Lilet Breddels, Director, Archis Foundation: “The opportunity to collaborate with the Nieuwe Instituut on a structural basis gives Volume the ideal combination of being locally embedded while maintaining a global perspective. The curiosity of both our teams is releasing new energy and curiosity, which we hope will soon become even more visible and shared.”
The official announcement will be celebrated at the Nieuwe Instituut at the opening of the exhibitions Designing the Netherlands. 100 Years of Past & Present Futures and 100 Years of the Maison d’Artiste Myth on 8 December.
