OUR PHILOSOPHY
“People who stroll along a meandering river unwind, because there is a lot to experience. The difference between the banks, the light, it is always changing. Compare that with an endless straight canal. Very functional, but there is nothing to experience…”
Our vision on transformation and future-proof building…
For us, designing a building for a client means creating a building like a bespoke suit. However, we know that we live in a constantly changing world. That is why we design each building so that when a second or third user presents itself, it can be transformed into the new wishes and requirements tailored to the purpose for which it is then intended. That way, a building will last for many generations. We design and realise buildings that, as it were, have eternal value.
Of course we look carefully at the materials we use. But for us, primarily looking ahead to demolition is not the basis for the start of future-proof design. By designing a healthy, pleasant, safe and flexible building, we create an environment – with and for our client – that people are proud of. Not only now, but also in the future. Old city centres are the best examples of this: these are constantly adjusted without demolition when they get a new destination.
In short: “Time changes, DNA remains …”.
Being able to achieve the foregoing leads to a great responsibility for the architect with his or her client. For us, this is a unique opportunity for every design assignment to be able to lend it the right form and shape. If a building does not have to be demolished, it means that you have to start thinking about circularity during design and construction. Because: what you love, you don’t demolish. All this is what real sustainability is about for us.
From dreams to well-being …
A lot can be done to shape the dreams and wishes of the client into a reality that fits well within the technological possibilities and within the set budget. Based on this conviction, we design and realise buildings, with the poetry of the imagination. We bring these buildings to life through the right size ratio of space, light, fine materials, beautiful colours and high technical qualities. Our design process is holistic. Bringing together the dreams, wishes, requirements, quality of the location, choice of materials, shape, colour and scale results in buildings within which users can function optimally, which people will love and which benefit the environment.
The art of well-being …
We believe that an individual is best served if he or she feels at home, if people feel connected to a place where they work or live. That is why, in a design assignment, we pay full attention to the optimum balance between the future users and the busy world in which they find themselves every day. This balance allows the user to develop better. Based on the art of well-being, we create buildings with high-quality, fine materials, without losing sight of the traditional craftsmanship.
Our approach…
We design from an open, clear design vision. For each design assignment, this means that we come to a specific answer to the client’s question. We also keep an eye on the location where the design needs to be realised. We naturally strive for flexibility, sustainability and future-proofing at all times. Before sketching, before starting the design process, we start with a study of the design assignment. We fully empathise with the dreams and wishes of the client. At the end of the process, this brings us to a result, to a building that is optimally tailored to these dreams and wishes and to the purpose for which the building is intended. In addition to the dreams and wishes of the client, the Programme of Requirements and the culture of the client and users are important starting points for us to achieve a correct and complete picture of the design assignment.
From location to building…
Studying the location concerns an additional important aspect in the broadest sense of the word. We empathise with the existing qualities of the location. We approach every design assignment from the location’s history and also what the location requires from a landscape and urban point of view. The goal with a new building is always to give the location a quality that will inspire people to come and be there. We design very large complex buildings or structures in such a way that people feel at home there together. We also pay attention to space for the individual. He or she should not feel like a loner in the large organisation or the very busy outside world. Our assignments are very diverse, from the very small, a birdhouse, to the very large, a complex building or urban design. We work in a nice relationship with the client, advisors in all phases. The entire process is guided from the first pencil sketches right up to the delivery. Finally, we monitor the entire design process including the realisation, and the budget that the client has set in advance.
The result…
Based on our philosophy, vision and approach, we have been realising innovative projects for decades, all of which are sustainable and future-proof and which contribute to the well-being of every user…
