Kossmanndejong
Kossmanndejong
Wij ontwerpen verhalende ruimtes. Ruimtes die inspireren, je raken en die je bijblijven. We ontwerpen voor culturele instellingen, de publieke ruimte en bedrijven.

Jij hebt een verhaal?
Dan kunnen we gisteren aan de slag.
Want het maken van een ruimtelijke belevenis behelst veel meer dan een ontwerp alleen. Van strategie tot productie: bij Kossmanndejong beheersen we het hele proces. We pakken een project integraal aan. Alles hangt met elkaar samen en dat draagt bij aan de kwaliteit van het eindresultaat.
Wij zijn allesdenkers en allesmakers met een aanstekelijk enthousiasme, die bij iedere opdracht de juiste expertise bundelen. Vanuit onszelf, de opdrachtgever en het veld.
Zo doen we dat
We willen alles over jou weten. Welk verhaal wil je vertellen? We bespreken samen de beschikbaarheid van middelen, tijd, expertise en ambitieniveau. Hoe duurzaam kunnen we het maken? Wat willen we bereiken? Wanneer is het project geslaagd? Als het aan ons ligt, doen we er graag een schepje bovenop.
We gaan los met de wildste ideeën. Breken open, doen onderzoek, leggen verbanden en zoeken de maatschappelijke relevantie. Waarom hier en waarom nu? We bekijken de opdracht in het grotere geheel. Samen. Co-creatie is voor Kossmanndejong de enige manier van samenwerken.
Elke opdracht is anders, dus ook het team verschilt per project. We betrekken de meest gerenommeerde specialisten om jouw project naar een hoger plan te tillen. Afkomstig vanuit de opdrachtgever, ons bureau en ons netwerk van vertrouwde partners.
In een Conceptontwerp stellen we de uitgangspunten vast voor verhaalstructuur en publieksbeleving. We inventariseren wat er nodig is om dit te bereiken. We schetsen ideeën en zetten het plan in grove lijnen uit. Het is het fundament waarop in de volgende fase wordt voortgebouwd.
In een Voorlopig Ontwerp en daarna een Definitief Ontwerp werken we alles uit tot een prachtig en gelaagd plan. We ramen bouw- en productiekosten en plannen het proces. We verdiepen de opzet, ontwikkelen inhoud, werken ruimtelijke en grafische ontwerpen uit en bereiden ze voor op productie.
De beste aannemers en technici gaan voor ons aan de slag. De ontwerpen krijgen vorm; er wordt gebouwd, geprint en audiovisuele producties worden gemaakt. We begeleiden het proces, testen belangrijke onderdelen, bewaken de kwaliteit en zorgen ervoor dat alles samenkomt.
Zodra de bezoekers binnenstappen, komt de tentoonstelling tot leven. We kijken samen of alles werkt zoals we het bedacht hadden en we finetunen mocht het nodig zijn. Het resultaat is een prachtig project waar iedereen trots op is!
We creëren een driedimensionale vertelling die de bezoekers raakt en tot hun verbeelding spreekt. Die ze iets bijbrengt en aan het denken zet. Zo ontstaat een ontdekkingsreis, ook in henzelf. Het verhaal wordt hún verhaal. Omdat geen mens hetzelfde is, bouwen we elke vertelling op in lagen, zodat iedereen wordt aangesproken. Dit vraagt steeds om een unieke mix van collectie, installaties, multimedia, interactiviteit, geluid, licht, tekst en kunst.
Vorm en inhoud zijn zo op elkaar afgestemd dat alles, tot in het kleinste detail, met elkaar samenhangt. Voor ons is een tentoonstelling geen statisch arrangement van objecten. De ruimte is geen decor – de ruimte is het theaterstuk zelf. Een totaalervaring.
Onze spelregels
Een narratieve ruimte is een verhaal dat zich ontvouwt in ruimte en tijd. Een reis waarbij de bezoekers intuïtief hun pad kiezen. Een verhaal hoeft niet lineair te zijn, en meerdere verhalen kunnen parallel aan elkaar verteld worden. Iedere wandeling is uniek, maar door de samenhang in het ontwerp krijgt iedereen de essentie mee.
Iedereen is anders. Mensen verschillen in karakter, leeftijd, achtergrond, gender, kennis en interesse. Door gelaagde verhalen en perspectieven, creëren we ruimtes waar iedere bezoeker zich aangesproken kan voelen. Wie wil, kan uitgebreid de diepte in. Maar ook in een halfuur kan iemand een betekenisvolle ervaring hebben.
Goede romans, films en toneelstukken hebben een emotionele spanningsboog. Dat geldt ook voor een verhalende ruimte. De bezoeker is de hoofdpersoon. Met onze verteltechnieken trekken we de bezoeker meteen het verhaal in en zorgen we dat ruimtes en opstellingen werken als ‘pageturners’. Strategische momenten van pauze en reflectie versterken dit effect.
We maken contact. Ontmoetingen dragen bij aan een gevoel van verbinding. Ze zijn een kans om met nieuwe perspectieven gedachten open te breken. Om iets in gang te zetten. Vaak zijn het deze momenten die het langst bijblijven. Daarom orkestreren we interactie – met vrienden én vreemden. We schatten bezoekers op waarde en dagen ze uit met elkaar in discussie te gaan.
Bezoekers zijn actieve deelnemers. Ze brengen de ruimte tot leven. Interactie moet eenvoudig, intuïtief en uitnodigend zijn. We leveren de randvoorwaarden voor een veilige plek waar mensen uit hun comfortzone durven te komen. Een plek die spel en experiment provoceert. Bouwen, doen en aanraken, én er mag worden gelachen. De energie moet door de ruimte stromen.
Een verhalende omgeving is pas geslaagd als zij je raakt in hoofd én hart – wanneer het een goede combinatie biedt van informatie en emotionele, zintuiglijke indrukken. Een uitgekiende compositie van precisie en losheid, van poëzie en feitelijkheid. Waar gedachten en gevoelens de ruimte krijgen. Door de emotie en nieuwe inzichten blijft de ervaring je bij.
Iedereen beschikt over verbeeldingskracht om zich te verliezen in een verhaal. Die verbeelding moet dan wel getriggerd worden. In een narratieve ruimte ga je op in een wereld waar echt en verbeelding elkaar versterken. Poëtische elementen als metaforen en abstracties zijn daarin onontbeerlijk. Ze vergroten de magie van de ‘suspense of disbelief’.
We zijn maatschappijkritisch en proberen grenzen te verleggen. Maar we opereren niet in het luchtledige. Waar zijn we hier? In wat voor tijd? Wat leeft er bij onze bezoekers? Hoe verhoudt ons verhaal zich tot het grotere geheel? We zoomen graag uit, vinden feeling met de context en zoeken bovenal de relevantie.
team
Alejandra
Calderon
“As an architect, I am very detail-oriented. Research is always my first step; it answers all the design questions! My aim is to translate research into experiences that encourage people to do, learn, and dream more. What I love most at KDJ is the transdisciplinary magic that happens within the team and being surrounded by talented people – it feels like everything is possible! Personal motto: Don’t stop until you are proud!”
Benjamin
Koolstra
“There is an atmosphere of generosity here, KDJ always gives you more than you asked for – I experienced it when I was one of KDJ’s clients. That’s why I joined the team – I wanted to be a part of it. As KDJ’s managing director, I support the work processes and manage the finances. Not one single project is the same. The result is always new and meaningful.”
Daan
Wubben
“Learning about the world shouldn’t be boring or a textual maze. It should be a leisure activity for all different ages, cultures and subcultures. A common ground. I started learning more about the world when I visited the MAGNUM photo retrospective in 2008. The photos’ frames were gateways to new perspectives and it showed me new ways of learning. I’ve been hooked to the world of visual language ever since. I studied at the Design Academy Eindhoven, where my fascination for societal design started. As a designer, I strive for the moment when material, color, space, shape, content and context come together. A design is at its best when it triggers emotion but leaves enough space for understanding.”
Dinalbert
Ortega
“I take care of the financial part of the studio and our projects. I like having the overview of what happens at KDJ. I work on very diverse projects, with different countries, sizes, and levels of complexity. Next to my work I am pursuing a degree in Business Economics and give volleyball training to kids. I love watching them grow and develop their talent.”
Elise van
Wolfswinkel
“We mix content and spatial design into one clear and visible story. When story and design come together, a whole new world opens up. I studied spatial design, I love stories and I’m a good listener. This combination strengthens my ability to translate content into an entertaining and understandable exhibition. I like to participate in the content-making as much as possible. I enjoy getting involved in ‘how’ and ‘what’ we want to tell the visitor through the spatial, interactive, and digital design as well as in storytelling, text, and audio.”
Femke
Bijlsma
“I’m vegetarian but when it comes to my interests, I’m an omnivore, a glutton even. Before I started at KDJ I worked as an architect in Japan, I wrote about art for an Italian newspaper, designed interactive art installations, founded an organization for refugees in the creative industry, and set up a climate change class at the Rietveld Academy. As content developer, I try to turn this jumble of experiences into an advantage, creating ever richer multi-dimensional experiences for real people.”
Herman
Kossmann
“I am co-founder of Kossmanndejong. Besides the exciting projects we realized and are working on, being a member of a skilled team of different disciplines and making places of drama, entertainment, and intellectual challenge is a daily inspiration. Thinking holistically, innovating, and challenging the boundaries of the ‘exhibition’ as a medium have become part of our DNA. I am proud we have developed such an adventurous place.”
Jikke
Vermeulen
Julia
Meyerrose
“To design beautiful spaces is simply not enough for me. While studying interior architecture in Germany and the Netherlands, I realized that while it is wonderful to create pretty spaces, they become even more meaningful when you add content. I prefer to use a pen to shape my ideas and set the computer aside for a while. I am never afraid of a white sheet of paper. Even better is the back of an old sheet of paper from the recycling bin. Because reusing materials is really what gets my creativity going.”
Lieke
Ketelaars
“Working with top-notch designers is such a pleasure. They are extremely creative, passionate, dedicated, and have an insane work ethic. As a communicator, I learn a lot here. I can combine my background in cultural heritage and marketing and I’m pushed to try new things and experiment. The energy I get from this makes me do silly bike dances on my way to work and back.”
Lucandrea
Baraldi
“I am fascinated by how people relate to their environments in a way which goes beyond simple function, I am interested in the emotional, social, cultural and imaginative nuances of the things that surround us. I studied visual communication in Italy, product design in the UK, and graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven. I like to wear many hats, among which the designer’s, the artist’s, the musician’s, the lighthearted explorer’s.”
Maaike
Sips
“As a writer and documentary film maker, my focus is on the content. I love the magic that happens when it merges with the spatial design into a complete new world. Personal stories are my favorite; they can bring any topic to life, no matter how abstract or complicated it looks at first. Each project is a new adventure. We plunge ourselves into the subject. We explore it from every angle to analyze the essence before we start designing.”
Marieke
Müller
“I have a great love of art, design and architecture and am passionate about creating projects that tell exciting stories and are meaningful experiences. For over 15 years, I have worked as a project manager creating beautiful stories all over the world. I feel most vibrant and driven when working in a team alongside designers, artists and other creative people. As a project manager at Kossmanndejong, I can do just that! Together with my colleagues and a team of experts from different fields, we create experiences that mesmerise. Being part of that process gives me a lot of energy and joy.”
Mark
de Jong
“I am the DJ of KDJ. I am trained as an architect and a self-taught graphic designer. But it takes much more than just these two disciplines to create narrative spaces: we operate and move between lots of different media and collaborate with so many interesting people. It is truly inspiring to be able to define this profession with each new project, together with all these people.”
Martijn
Sas
“Having worked at KDJ for almost 20 years, I have seen it grow from four guys to over thirty people. I’m involved in almost every project in some way, from 2D design and 3D design to visualizations. Between designs I take care of basic IT stuff. Sometimes I miss the construction aspect of the exhibitions we design. I also build things for the office, such as a modular magazine rack made of found objects.”
Matt
Vermeulen
“Kossmanndejong is a pressure cooker for creativity in which I feel like a fish in water. The horizontal corporate culture. The ambition to strive for the very best at all costs. Our clients share this, creating conditions where you can fly high as a designer. Moving from being a theater/TV maker to designing exhibitions, I have even more tools at hand and a wider audience. I love telling stories, touching people in their heads and hearts. I like to incorporate a little excitement, some humor, desire, and to ruffle some feathers. Everything starts with a good concept.”
Michel
de Vaan
“I have a broad interest which is really useful when being an exhibition designer. As an industrial designer I’m trained in designing products and services for people and I’m always focussed on how visitors will interact with exhibits. I see myself as an all-round designer with a very critical view on everything I make. I love the intense process of creation and the social interaction with all people involved. There is always room for humour in those processes. I think KDJ is an office where we really realise special projects. Seeing visitors having a meaningful experience in our designs is the most rewarding feeling ever.”
Miki
Dai
“Every day is a celebration for me when working at Kossmanndejong. Exhibition design unites many factors that I find important. I enjoy collaborating with (international) clients, designers, architects, storytellers and visitors. Although I am more involved with our clients before the creative process begins, my engagement certainly does not end once the designs come to life.”
Morgan
Henry
“From permanent spaces to ephemeral spatial encounters: I use the technicality of my architectural training and the theatricality of my scenography background to create immersive and interactive experiences that take spectators on playful and engaging journeys. Space becomes an evolving entity that can only exist with the audience’s participation. Coming from such a group-oriented culture in the Dominican Republic, collaboration is indispensable to my practice. Allowing these multidisciplinary encounters to happen is one of my favourite things at KDJ.”
Niels
de Jong
“I’m keen to learn, explore new subjects and transfer knowledge to visitors. At KDJ, form always follows content – nothing is incidental. I always enjoy seeing the first physical expression of a design like a sample or mockup. I keep a good overview in large projects with lots of parties. As an architect, I see the possibilities of a space. I’m able to advise the architect on how the experience can best take shape. Two truths about exhibition design: No amount of money ever bought a second of time and nothing goes right automatically.”
Nils
Mork
“As a 2D designer, I translate content into a visual form – to inform visitors or teach them something in a comprehensible way. As a result, I learn something new every day and no two days are the same. Working together with such a fun and talented team is very inspiring, motivating, and educational. Whether it’s drawing, painting, cutting and pasting, or using the computer, I love creating colourful illustrations, letters, and patterns. After working hours I happily continue.”
Nisala
Saheed
“I am a multidisciplinary Sri Lankan designer and am driven by creating access to knowledge, enhancing spiritual connections, and empathetic exchanges. The way we design our spaces and our world exposes who belongs, so I try to cultivate the sense of belonging across identity. I have a background in Visual Art and Sociology, and I am motivated by post-colonial theory, de-digitization, and notions of Queer Utopia. ‘Take a moment and feel the earth below us holding our bodies. We belong here.'”
Pauline
Fer
“I studied visual communication at the Universität der Künste in Berlin. I like the moment when a new project starts, when everything is still possible and we look for the best way to tell a complex story. We don’t take assignments as they come, but question the brief when it’s for the best. I like to travel to step out of my usual environment, to be confronted with different perspectives and to immerse myself in another cultural context.”
Remco
Swart
“What I like about my work is sharing and combining ideas and skills to create immersive experiences for visitors. I am a multidisciplinary 2D/3D thinker. My work is to apply graphics in an architectural/spatial context. I make (very) large scale graphics and create clear infographics and icons. I love food and music. My way of working is to question everything, always.”
Robert
van der Linde
“As a designer at KDJ I combine my education in interior architecture with a bachelor in anthropology. For me it’s all about space, atmosphere, and story. When you play with these three parameters the possibilities are endless. I’ve been working at Kossmanndejong since the early days. The good thing about this studio is that we are thorough, and we don’t stop until we are completely satisfied. And that’s when something really happens to the visitors and they are transformed in some way.”
Robin
Schijfs
“Designing a narrative space is like putting together a giant puzzle. As a trained teacher and designer, I combine both skills at KDJ. I love to dig deep, find patterns and create order out of chaos. Whether it’s typographic details or the structure of a concept: things have to make sense as a whole. And that doesn’t mean things can’t be funny or extreme, very minimalistic or a feast to the eye. Besides my work at KDJ, I design theater sets and installations. One thing is always the same: it’s about putting your all into a project.”
Roel
Bolhuis
“After graduating in musicology, I worked as a producer for opera and music theater, broadcast facilities, and digital productions. Since 2008 I work as a project manager in the exhibition sector. I apply my experience in digital media and performing arts within our projects. As a link between business management and the project leaders I play a central role within our team – that’s my favorite place!”
Sara
Blad
“I am an art historian with a background in 17th-century Dutch art, collections management and magazine publishing. As a communicator at KDJ, I translate our designs into words to share with you. The creative energy at KDJ is infectious. Seeing how the designers communicate through their designs encourages me to push my communication abilities. When not at KDJ, I work at a French patisserie where I can practice my Dutch.”
Selma
Hofstra
“I found my dream job at Kossmanndejong. As a project manager with a background in history, I dive enthusiastically into all interesting projects alongside a dedicated team of designers and content developers. I find it important that content and design become one. After all, this is the strength of KDJ. Every project is an exciting challenge that I like to take on and accompany, because I believe that life is about doing what you love to do.”
Sietske
Sips
“Before becoming a graphic designer I worked as a teacher. I used to tell the children stories of all sorts. This is something I still do but now in a graphic way. It feels good to see the stories come to life in the spaces we create. Working in a team provokes the best in me, we inspire each other and go for the best. After work, I design prints for children and make illustrations for imaginary stories. There is so much in life that makes me curious and eager to learn. I feel privileged to be able to dive into a new topic every time we start a new project.”
Susan
van den Berg
“I studied product and interior design, after which I did my master’s in interior architecture. What I like about working at KDJ is that you can think and design more artistically to translate stories and make them experiential. I am a curious spatial designer, which makes me want to fully immerse myself in a concept, social theme or issue. I also believe that the story behind or around a design is just as important as the design itself. The thoughtfulness within a project shows why (design) choices were made.”
Tsur
Reshef
“I love going on adventures such as (sky)diving & traveling. For me, creating an exhibition is an adventure in itself. I have been designing experiences, exhibitions, and media for more than twenty years in some of the most prominent museums in the Netherlands before joining KDJ in 2018. I graduated from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy, worked for the architecture firm Concrete, and founded my own design studio. Technical knowledge and concept development go hand in hand in my work.”
Wendy
Snoek
“I very much believe in inspiring each other. Where one thought leads to another, bringing each design a step further. Theater fascinates me: the way a minimal decor can suggest a whole world. This elusiveness touches me; I try to incorporate it in my designs. After work I do pottery. Being able to work with my hands and switch off every thought is a wonderful feeling. The total concentration, feeling immersed in another world, being in the moment, is a feeling I hope to give visitors.”
Services
Strategie
Master planning
Strategisch consulting
Concept en visualisering
Content strategie
Kostenramingen
Fondsenwerving advies
Evaluatie en impactassessment
Ontwerp
Art/Creative direction
Ruimtelijk ontwerp
Grafisch ontwerp
Content ontwikkeling
Bewegwijzering
Catalogi en publiciteitsmiddelen
Productie
Art/Creative direction
Productie supervisie
Scriptschrijven en storyboarding
Media direction
Grafisch ontwerp / DTP
Projectmanagement
Contract management
Klanten
Publicaties