School's Out! #55 with John Körmeling

School's Out! #55 - John Körmeling

Programme

For School’s Out! on Friday, 30 January 2026, we welcomed the renowned Dutch sculptor and architect John Körmeling. Known for his broad and unconventional approach to architecture - one that extends into design and visual art - Körmeling has built an impressive body of work centred on the idea of space: how it is shaped, perceived and used.

For decades, he has explored spatial issues with a playful yet critical eye, often addressing contemporary urban challenges such as traffic, infrastructure and the increasing dominance of the car. His fascination with parking shortages, traffic jams and large-scale road systems has led to numerous imaginative proposals. Many of these works, though deliberately idealised or practically unbuildable, showcase his sharp sense of humour and his ability to make complex issues instantly legible through form. Notable examples include Drive-in Wheel (1999), a Ferris wheel designed for cars in Utrecht; Het Draaiend Huis (The Rotating House, 2008), installed on the Hasselt roundabout in Tilburg; and Happy Street, the Dutch pavilion for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

19:30 Doors open

20:00-21:15 Talk by John Körmeling followed by Q+A.

21:15 - 21:30 Film screening "The end of the Road" by Jord den Hollander

21:30 - 22:00 Drinks and aftertalk