JDS Architects

Founded and directed by Julien de Smedt (also co-founder of PLOT), JDS Architects currently employs some 50 people with offices in Copenhagen, Brussels, and Oslo. JDS Architects is a multi-disciplinary office that focuses on architecture and design, from large scale planning to furniture. Rich with multiple expertises, our office is fuelled by talented designers and experienced architects that jointly develop projects from early sketches to on-site supervision. All of which, regardless of scale, outlines an approach that is affirmatively social in its outcome, enthusiastic in its ambition and professional in its process. At the core of our architecture is the ability to take a fresh look at design problems through experienced eyes. Our approach aims at turning intense research and analysis of practical and theoretical issues into the driving forces of our design. By continuously developing rigorous methods of analysis and execution, JDS Architects is able to combine innovative thinking and efficient production.

JDS Architects is known a number of early competitions, many of which have now been realised, demonstrating our ability to think about architecture in new innovative ways without sacrificing practicality or buildability. JDS Architects has also obtained numerous honors and awards for our work in Europe and abroad. We have received three Mies van der Rohe award nominations for our VM House, Mountain, and Maritime Youth House projects, as well as a Golden Lion at 2004 Venice Biennale for our Stavanger Concert Hall project. Other major awards include a World Architecture Festival award for Best Housing project, an AR+D award, and the Forum Prize for best project in Scandinavia. Most recently, Julien De Smedt was awarded the Netherlands highest architectural honor, the Rotterdam Maaskant Prize.

Firm Awards:
Rotterdam Maaskant Prize 2009
ErhervsEjendom’s Architect of the Year 2006
Young Architect of the Year Award - 2nd prize 2004
Scanorama Design Award 2004
Henning Larsen Prize 2003
Nykredits Architecture Prize 2002
Young Architect of the Year Award - 2nd prize 2002
The State Art Fund Workscholarship 2001

Project Awards:
Copenhagen’s Harbour Bath
IPC/IAKS Distinction 2007
IOC/IAKS Award 2007
Copenhagen Municipality’s Prize 2004
European Prize for Best Urban Public Space 2004

Kalvebod Waves / Open Competition, 1st Prize

Helsingør Psychiatric Hospital / Competition, 1st Prize
Forum AID Award Nomination 2008
Mies van der Rohe Award Nomination 2007
Scandinavian Forum Prize Nomination 2006

The Iceberg / Open Competition, 1st Prize

Islands Brygge Masterplan / Competition, 1st Prize

Louis Poulson Lighting Showcase
ContractWorld Award Nomination for Best Shop / Showroom / Exhibition Stand 2008

New Holmenkollen Beacon / Open Competition, 1st Prize

Maritime Youth House / Competition, 1st Prize
Danish Wood Award “Træprisen” 2008
Copenhagen Municipality’s Prize 2004
Fagbladet Byggeri’s Chosen Building 2004 - Open CatergoryAR+D Award 2004
Mies van der Rohe Prize Nomination 2004

Mountain Dwellings
Mies van der Rohe Prize Nomination 2008
Danish Wood Award “Træprisen” 2008
WAF World Architecture Festival Award – Best Housing Project 2008

Sjakket / Competition, 1st Prize
Contractworld Award for Best Educational/Learning Cultural Facility 2008

Stavanger Concert Hall / Open Competition, Honorable Mention
Venice Biennale Golden Lion Award for Best Concert Hall Worldwide 2004

VM House
Mies van der Rohe Prize Nomination 2007
Scandinavian Forum Prize 2006
Copenhagen Municipality’s Prize 2006