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Netherlands American Cemetery Visitor Center

Bronze Prize in Design for Impact

The Visitor Center at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten reinforces the cemetery's role as a place of remembrance and reflection. Located at the only American military cemetery in the Netherlands, it creates a meaningful setting in which visitors can engage with the history and lasting legacy of the Second World War. Carefully embedded within the sloping terrain, the building minimises its visual presence and complements the existing monument. A recessed plaza and gently descending pathway lead beneath a layered-concrete canopy that appears to float above the landscape, creating a gradual transition from the everyday world to a place of contemplation. Partially sunken into the hillside, the building opens through expansive glazing that frames panoramic views of the cemetery and surrounding topography, while natural light, rounded corners, and a restrained palette of concrete, glass, and American walnut create a calm, welcoming atmosphere. The center houses exhibition galleries, an auditorium, and visitor facilities that present original artefacts and personal stories of those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War. By transforming remembrance into an active, educational experience, the project fosters historical awareness, encourages intergenerational dialogue, and reinforces the enduring values of peace, freedom, and international cooperation.

Participant category: Company 11 - 100 employees

Company name: KAAN Architecten

Country: Netherlands

Location: Margraten/Netherlands

Client: American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC)

Team: KAAN Architecten

Edition: 2026

Project status: Realised

Website: https://kaanarchitecten.com

Photo credits: Simon Menges
Photo credits: Simon Menges
Photo credits: Simon Menges
Photo credits: Simon Menges
Photo credits: Simon Menges
Photo credits: Simon Menges