UNS is an architecture studio founded by Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos in 1999, headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with additional international offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Dubai, Frankfurt, Melbourne and Austin.
Ben van Berkel, Founder and Principal Architect of UNS, is renowned for his cutting-edge design, dedication to sustainability, and deep understanding of the impact the built environment has on health and wellbeing. His unconventional approach, which investigates the interconnections between culture and commerce, consistently breaks new creative ground and works to solve real world problems. He brings creative and visionary thinking to an expanding set of expertises within the fields of health, sustainability, technology and economics, delivering evermore value to clients and partners.
After studying at the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam and the Architectural Association in London, in 1988 he and Caroline Bos founded the Van Berkel & Bos Architectuurbureau, realising iconic projects like the Erasmus Bridge and the Möbius House. In 1999, they established UNS, a global network specialising in design and consulting. Pivotal projects currently include the Lyric Theatre Complex in Hong Kong, the ChamartÍn Station masterplan in Madrid, FOUR, a large-scale mixed-use project in Frankfurt, the Wasl Tower in Dubai and the Austin Light Rail in Texas.
Committed to education, Ben has held the Kenzo Tange Visiting Professor’s Chair at Harvard GSD where he continues to run a studio on health. He also serves as MArch Thesis Chair and sits on the Advisory Board at IE School of Architecture and Design in Madrid.
Caroline Bos brings a deep understanding of urban and regional planning to her role as Co-Founder and Principal Urban Planner of UNS, where she focuses on creating vibrant, sustainable urban ecosystems. With a background in Art History and Urban Planning, Caroline’s work bridges theory and practice, shaping cities where people, nature, infrastructure, and culture intersect. Caroline’s approach to urban design is human-centered and forward-thinking, addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges to create cities that adapt, thrive, and inspire. Through masterplans, urban frameworks, and identity-driven spaces, she ensures that cities honour their past while preparing for the future, all while supporting the people that live in them.
Alongside her practice, Caroline has taught at institutions such as Princeton University and the University of Melbourne, where she emphasises the integration of virtual and material organisation in architectural and urban works.
