Klaske Havik
Prof. Klaske Havik holds the distinguished position of Professor of Methods of Analysis and Imagination at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology. Her academic journey has been marked by significant contributions to the field, particularly in her role as Action Chair of the European COST Action Writing Urban Places from 2019 to 2023.
At the core of Prof. Havik's research lies the intersection between architectural and urban inquiries, exploring themes such as the utilization, perception, and imaginative dimensions of place within the context of literary language. Her seminal works include "Urban Literacy: Reading and Writing Architecture" (2014), which emerged from her doctoral studies and proposes a unique literary lens through which to examine architecture and urbanism. Additionally, she has edited volumes such as "Writingplace: Investigations in Architecture and Literature" (2016), which further delve into this interdisciplinary dialogue.
Prior to her involvement with the Writingplace Journal for Architecture and Literature, launched in 2018, Prof. Havik served as editor for prominent architecture journals including de Architect and OASE. Notable among her editorial contributions for OASE are issues such as "#98 Narrating Urban Landscapes," "#91 Building Atmosphere" (2013), "#85 Productive Uncertainty" (2011), and "#70 Architecture and Literature" (2007), each representing a nuanced exploration of the dynamic relationship between architecture and various cultural contexts.
Within the framework of Writingplace, Prof. Havik has co-edited recent issues including "Choices and Strategies of Spatial Imagination" (2019), "Narrative Methods for Writing Urban Places" (2021), "City Narratives as Places of Meaningfulness, Appropriation, and Integration" (2022), and "Taking Place: Reflections from the Fieldworker" (2023), offering invaluable insights into the evolving discourse surrounding architecture and literary theory.
Prof. Havik's literary pursuits extend beyond academia, with her works featured in Dutch poetry collections and literary magazines. Notably, her collection of poems, "Way and Further," was published in English in 2021 by Rightangle Publishing, showcasing her versatility and creativity beyond scholarly endeavors.
Her commitment to fostering international academic exchange is evident in her teaching experiences, including leading the Summer School editions at the Faculty of Architecture in Skopje in 2005 (House in Transition) and 2009 (TerriStories), as well as serving as a visiting professor in Skopje in 2014. These engagements have facilitated fruitful collaborations between Skopje and TU Delft, fostering educational exchanges and active research collaborations within the framework of the COST Action Writing Urban Places.