As we watch the constant changes of our world unfold, we are eager to respond with much anticipation.

Since 1989, VS-A has positioned itself in collaboration with the Architect. However a small part of our team is always engaged in ‘Architectural Design’. These works are typically unconventional projects. In France such select projects traditionally been carried out by OP-EN Studio. Whilst in Asia, the set of VS-A.GROUP® studios have tackled this responsibility head on.

But it’s not all about ‘Architecture’.

For over 30 years, we’ve witnessed the struggle of traditional industries in keeping pace with increasingly demanding standards. The management of which is costly; in terms of Consultancy, Material and Labour costs.

This brings about the dilemma of how to manage such Standards, Rules and Regulations, with a constantly evolving matrix of Tightening Budgets, Unchartered Technological Innovations and Design Complexity.

Our expertise is in the application of emerging technologies. Particularly ones that are struggling to find useful application in the building sector; Additive Manufacturing, Nano Technologies, Ultra-High Performance Materials, and IoT.

We believe that in many cases, only the disruptive approach can bring about significant improvements and durable solutions.

And that’s precisely what we develop at VS-A.DESIGN. Here, our ideas are developed into concepts, which in turn are produced into patented products and methodologies.

But that’s not where it ends. We get really excited when it comes to sharing our findings and collaborating with other specialists in the field.

We came to realize that while, Standards and Patents may be an absolute necessity, our driving passion resides in the lifelong pursuit of Research and Development.

2004

VS-A wins the Design & Build competition
for an operable bridge in Lille,
alongside BAUDIN-CHATEAUNEUF.

2010

we create OP-EN sas in Lille (FR).

2016

VS-A.KR designs the podium façade of the Dream-towers project on Jeju island (KR), with interior architects HBA.

2019

VS-A.DESIGN Ltd is set up in Hong Kong.

UBLO Inc is created to carry further the development of one of the R&D projects of VS-A.DESIGN.

VS-A.KR is Associate designer of the Sinchon Youth Culture Basecamp, with SOA.

VS-A.HK is Associate designer of the Kuwait based competition with Nasrine SERAJI and PETITDIDIERPRIOUX architects.

Robert-Jan Van SANTEN
FOUNDER

Robert-Jan van SANTEN graduated in Architecture from UPA3 Versailles (FR). He worked for 4 years in “Atelier de Paris” with Renzo PIANO. From 1989 onward, he played a significant role in setting establishing the VS-A satellites in the Asia Pacific region.

He was honored with the Silver Medal from the French Académie d'Architecture for Research and Technique in 2008. In the last decade Robert-Jan was instrumental in the formation of VS-A Design, which hosts VS-A’s R&D activities. The design outputs are regularly patented.

The Korean start-up company, UBLO was jointly set up with Naree KIM. This latest enterprise is responsible for developing a personalized ventilation window. Robert is a regular speaker at international conferences and participates in numerous jury panels worldwide.

Christophe SZUKALA
DESIGN DIRECTOR

Christophe has a background in Engineering and graduated from the University in Compiegne, France. He had previously joined VS-A.HK before becoming part of the VS-A.Design program when it was first formed.

He is actively involved in all the R&D programs and coordinated the first exhibition of Ublo for the Shenzhen and HK Biennale in 2018.

He continues assisting VS-A.GROUP® when sophisticated computational simulations are required.