What we do
We help our clients to realise their ideas. We come up with new ways of doing things, to make things better. Our clients' ideas become reality by combining them with our knowledge and experience. This is how we make architecture.
We have experience with projects in different countries of varying scales: master plans, housing, offices, retail, museums, recreational facilities, universities, and infrastructure.
In our projects we try to take a lead in the application of bio-based materials and circular design. The building industry has a lot to learn about the application of these materials and the complexity of circular design. We actively do research in this field to advise our clients better.
Research
We are doing research in the application of bio based building materials and circular design. We know there is a need to implement these materials on a large scale, however lack of knowledge makes clients hesitate about the durability of biobased solutions. The building industry relies on materials that have been used for decades. Many of these materials are increasingly scrutinized for their large carbon footprint. Construction companies, clients and architects all agree that the way we build must change, however the established industry is slow in adapting to this new reality. This is why we took it upon ourselves to invest time in getting to know more about these materials so we can advise our Clients better.
Concept development
A project can start from the need to solve a problem, even when it is entirely unclear which route needs to be taken to reach your goal. We specialise in deriving concepts, ideas and scenarios. We think of new ways of combining what is already available to deliver solutions. A problem can come forth out of a new situation, a mismatch with the economical, physical or social context. A good understanding of why a certain problem occurs is the first step in the design process.
Another reason for concept development can be the need to invest and create return on investment either socially or financially. We provide solutions for problems like the current influx of refugees, ageing population, vacant real estate, housing shortage and low interest rates. All of these we see as opportunities for business and for society. When starting the design process we can help finding your final destination, provide the road map and design the road for you.
Transformation / Redevelopment / Renovation
Redevelopment and renovation has become increasingly important. The reuse of existing buildings does not only provide economic benefits but it is also a more sustainable solution. Before starting the design process we analyse the existing building in order to understand the principles of the existing design. This allows us to provide a modern design solution that fulfils the client's needs and respects the historical context.
New Build
An idea, aspiration or a dream of our client is enough for us to start work. When required we can develop the brief together with our client and establish the initial budget. The brief of our client and our analysis of the urban context form the basis of the design. We develop the design by testing multiple options until we and our client are satisfied that we have achieved the maximum architectural quality. We have experience with new build projects of different scales, from apartment buildings to retail, from infrastructure to private villas.
Interior design
The interior is what we see and touch. Here every detail needs to be perfect. This is where aesthetic quality really counts. The palette of colours and materials used in the interior can create an atmosphere that comforts us, excites us or stimulates us to act in a certain way. For private residential projects the interior is very personal. In offices the interior should reflect the way an organisation needs to work. In retail, interiors communicate a brand and facilitate commerce. Mood boards and material boards in combination with 3D visualisations help to get a good understanding of what the interior can become and help us to communicate this with our clients.
Master planning
The built environment is continuously subject to change. A comprehensive analysis of local circumstances is the beginning of every design process. We present the results of our demographic, economic, geographic, cultural and historical analysis in the form of reports.
As well as building mass studies we provide studies of infrastructure, transport and public spaces. A master plan should be comprehensive without being rigid. Flexibility allows a master plan to grow and evolve with the rest of the environment.
Our Design Philosophy
The city is a never ending building project that continues to develop. At the same time it is the world in which we live and the place we call home. Every intervention in someone's direct living environment will be perceived as intrusive unless this person is actively involved in the process. Here lies the work of the architect: with every design intervention the architect tries to combine the brief of the client with the demands of local residents, authorities and the end users of the building. The building has to fit into the urban context like the missing piece of a puzzle. The project is successful when all parties involved perceive the building as a positive contribution to their environment.
Our planet's climate is under pressure. Global heating, deforestation and the plastic soup in our oceans are for a large part caused by the way we use our planet's resources. The building industry makes a substantial contribution to this problem: The global building industry is responsible for 40% of global CO2 emissions and uses many of the world's finite resources. Making a change here will make a big impact to avert a crises. It is our job to inform our clients about the impact of their project and come up with more sustainable alternatieves to established buildign practice.
In the last century a higher quality of living was achieved through standardisation and mass production in the building process. In countries where a minimum standard of living is guaranteed, standardisation and repetition are perceived as negative. Individual, unique design solutions are associated with higher quality. Progress is made by changing what we have into something new and better. However, making changes for no other reason than being different can lead to misunderstanding and alienation. New design solutions should have their roots in the cultural and historical context. From here we start our design process striving to maximise living quality in the built environment.