Jens Hardvendel
Jens’ diverse experience over more than 20 years encompasses aviation projects, headquarters buildings, civic structures and mixed use schemes across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He particularly embraces the challenge of developing innovative solutions unique to each project, consistently seeking opportunities to optimise the design and use of materials. Jens’ approach to managing design is driven by the analysis of how a scheme can best offer value to the client, benefit its environment, and improve the experience of its end users.
Since joining KPF in 2001, Jens has been engaged on several large scale complex projects, leading design teams and liaising with clients and consultants on a day-to-day basis to ensure the smooth delivery of projects from concept to completion.
Most recently, Jens has served as Technical Director for the design of the new Midfield Terminal Complex at Abu Dhabi International Airport, which will increase capacity to process 50 million travellers per year. The design is based on KPF’s concept to create a characterful open space while accommodating the future expansions and technological advancements necessary for a truly modern airport.
In China, Jens is the Project Director for the mixed-use Gemdale Center, comprising office and residential towers with a retail podium. He is also directing the design of the Optic Technology Centre at the Technical University in Aachen, Germany.
Jens’ experience in Europe includes the mixed-use masterplan for River City in Prague, where Jens served as Project Architect from master planning through the design and construction of two office buildings. In Moscow, he was the Project Manager responsible for Park City, a residential and commercial development, and the Dobryninsky Oasis Office project. Jens also coordinated the Amstel Campus project in Amsterdam, which comprised faculty, student housing and sports buildings.
Prior to joining KPF, Jens worked in London and Berlin at Nicholas Grimshaw Architects on a number of office and hospitality projects. Projects of note include the Berlin Stock Exchange, a 10-story building suspended from steel arches, and the Frankfurt Trade Fair, which features the largest roof span in Europe.
Jens received his architectural degree from the Aarhus School of Architecture, Denmark. He is a member of the Academic Architect Association of Denmark (MAA) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and is an ARB registered architect in the UK.
