“Present Perfect” is a design research project aimed at update a historically charged monument, the Tropenmuseum and KIT Institute. While society is rapidly changing, historical buildings are often protected against alterations. Buildings serve as a physical reminder of the past, which can evoke feelings of community and recognition, but also friction and disidentification. In some cases, society grapples with the architectural language proudly presented in the past, such as in the case of colonial institutions. The Tropenmuseum and KIT Institute is an example of such a building with a complex and charged history.

The proposed interventions transform the closed institution into an open place for knowledge development and debate. By removing a portion of the existing building, a public square is created, forming the new heart of the institution. Adjacent to the square, the former KIT Institute and the museum are transformed into “The Residence” and “The Collection,” contributing to the building’s openness and its contents. “The Residence” and “The Collection” meet on the public square, providing a space for diverse voices, including the institution’s programs, visitors, and passersby.

For this project, extensive research was conducted on the existing building and (colonial) institutional architecture, involving the examination of various archives.