For the 2023 Heritage Award, the theme was monuments with a story. Stories passed from generation to generation, growing and changing over time. I was invited to design the award sculpture for this edition, and to give a short accompanying speech during the ceremony.

”Just as hermit crabs trade shells when they outgrow them, the people of Enschede move from one building to another, each one fitting a specific moment in their lives. This sculpture captures that delicate dance of adaptation and movement.

Buildings in Enschede are more than stone structures, they transform, take on new roles and meanings, just like an abandoned shell becomes home to another hermit crab. An old factory becomes an art gallery, a forgotten warehouse turns into a vibrant café.

This piece celebrates the ongoing cycle of change and renewal, and the symbiotic relationship between the people of Enschede and the architecture they inhabit. We continue to search, grow, and adapt in the ongoing dance of life with monuments.”