The conference takes place in the Trippenhuis, the imposing 17th century mansion on the Kloveniersburgwal which forms the headquarters of the KNAW, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences

Built in Classical style in 1662, it was owned by the brothers Trip, who became fabulously wealthy as arms dealers. The Trippenhuis is the grandest and most famous example of the often fabulous mansions which the local Amsterdam merchants built during the heydays of the "Golden Age" in the 17th century. These buildings, often more like small palaces, were meant to show off the riches they had collected on the high seas. The Trippenhuis remained the property of the Trip family until the early 19th century.

The Trippen House is one of the very last representatives of the Palladian version of Dutch Classicism. It is not only the largest mansion of the prestigious Amsterdam ring of canals, it is also unique in the sense that it would be more correct to speak of Trippen Houses. The architect Justus Vingboons built two separate houses, one for each of the brothers Trip, which share a single roof and a single facade.

From 1812 onwards the house obtained a totally new designated use. King Louis Napoleon used it to house the Royal Institute of Sciences, Letters and Fine Arts - the precursor of the present Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences - which he had founded in 1808. The Trippenhuis has remained the seat of the Academy until the present day.

During the period 1815-1885 the Trippenhuis also located the Rijksmuseum and housed many world famous works of art of the Dutch Golden Age. Amongst others, in these years -- until the Rijksmuseum moved to Pierre Cuypers' art cathedral which is today's Rijksmuseum -- the Trippenhuis was the home of Rembrandts Nightwatch.

Getting to the Trippenhuis

Note:
Regretfully, the facade of the Trippenhuis is currently under restoration. Therefore you will find the whole facade covered by scaffolds instead of finding the beautiful and imposing facade shown in the picture above.

From Hotel(s):
the only really viable way to get to the Trippenhuis is to walk. Note (from map) that the Trippenuis is very close to NH Doelen Hotel, and relatively close to Albus Grand Hotel. From NH Doelen hotel: turn left around the corner of Nieuwe Doelenstraat, onto the Kloveniersburgwal. Follow the canal until you 3rd bridge, with the Trippenhuis on the righthand bank of the canal. From Albus Grand Hotel first proceed along the Vijzelstraat towards the Muntplein, turn into Nieuwe Doelenstraat, directly followed by Kloveniersburgwal on the left.

From Central Railway Station, walking:
It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the station to the Trippenhuis. The advised route is to first walk along the Damrak towards the Dam (Palace on the Dam, the Monument, the Nieuwe Kerk). Turn left into the Damstraat. The first canal you will cross is the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, proceed straight ahead along the Oude Hoogstraat. The next canal is the Kloveniersburgwal. Cross the bridge, turn left and after a few dozen meters you stand in front of the Trippenhuis.

From Central Railway Station, metro:
From NS Station Amsterdam CS you can also reach the Trippenhuis by metro. Take line 51 (to Westwijk), 54 (to Gein) or 53 (to Gaasperplas). Get off at the first metro station after Central Station, ie. Nieuwmarkt (exit: Nieuwmarkt or Nieuwe Hoogstraat). From the Nieuwmarkt you walk directly south along the Kloveniersburgwal and will soon stand in front of the Trippenhuis.

By Car::
approaching Amsterdam via A2 or A4; take ringroad A10, then exit S116 or S112. Parking is available at Parking Stadhuis (Stopera), entrance Waterlooplein (underground). Rates are approximately Euro 32 for 24 hours !