netherlands Archives

Multipurpose rooms optimise Ulli Heckmann’s Rotterdam apartment

A bedroom incorporating a bathtub and a window bench is one of several versatile spaces architect Ulli Heckmann created when renovating this compact apartment in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Heckmann and his partner, the designer Nienke Bongers, bought the apartment in the Delfshaven neighbourhood in 2020 with the aim of refurbishing it to suit their personal tastes.

Living room and windows at Ulli Heckmann's compact apartment in Rotterdam — Multipurpose rooms were used to optimise space at Ulli Heckmann’s Rotterdam apartment

The 100-square-metre property is spread across the ground floor and basement of a brick apartment building dating from 1935 that stretches along a dike on the river Schie.

Previous renovations in the 1980s had stripped away all of the interior’s original features, so the couple decided to completely gut the spaces and rebuild them using a modern and affordable material palette.

Kitchen and stairs at Ulli Heckmann's compact apartment in Rotterdam — The open-plan kitchen and living area receive daylight from the garden

The existing layout did not make the best use of the garden access, so Heckmann moved the bedrooms upstairs and created a large living space below with direct access to the outdoors.

“The original downstairs plan showed one room facing the garden and one towards the street, which was quite gloomy and dark,” the architect told Dezeen.

“Since the new downstairs is basically mono-orientated, an open layout with the kitchen cupboard as a room divider seemed the best solution in terms of space with an option for privacy.”

Kitchen and wooden fixtures at Ulli Heckmann's compact apartment in Rotterdam — Heckmann completely rebuilt the interior spaces using affordable materials. Photo is by Yuta Sawamura

The largely open-plan configuration creates a space for cooking, eating and socialising that receives plenty of daylight from the large windows at one end.

Freestanding cupboards screen a small private space that Heckmann explained can be used for “reading a book, inviting friends to stay over or simply drying the laundry without putting it in the middle of the living room.”

Wood staircase at Ulli Heckmann's compact apartment in Rotterdam — The kitchen is divided by a wooden cupboard unit for privacy. Photo is by Yuta Sawamura

Throughout the property, built-in storage helps to optimise and organise space, allowing the interior to be used in different ways at different times. Examples include a hidden desk in the children’s bedroom and a window bench in the main bedroom.

“Most of the rooms are not limited to only one purpose throughout the day and night,” said Heckmann, “which helps tremendously for the use of the space – especially as a family.”

The layout of the upper floor is more compartmentalised than the basement level; however, a full-height mirrored door at the end of the hall can be left open to ensure the spaces feel connected.

The two bedrooms at either end of the plan are separated by a walk-in wardrobe and a shower room hidden behind cupboard-like doors.

Bedroom bath at Ulli Heckmann's compact apartment in Rotterdam — The main bedroom integrates a bathtub that can be hidden behind a curtain

In addition to the bed and window bench, the main bedroom contains a bathtub set on wooden blocks that can be screened off using a curtain.

“The need to create multifunctional spaces is one of the reasons why we decided to have the bathtub in the bedroom,” Heckmann explained. “Also, we quite like that it becomes an object in our daily life instead of hiding it away.”

Bookshelf in Ulli Heckmann's compact apartment in Rotterdam — Most of the furniture was built by Heckmann and Bongers with stained or dyed plywood and MDF

The couple had wanted to use natural materials where possible to completely revamp the interior, but the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic caused prices to soar and subsequent lockdowns made commissioning specialist trades much more difficult.

Heckmann and Bongers therefore designed and built most of the furniture themselves, using plywood or MDF that they stained or dyed to give the materials a more unique finish.

The bedroom shelf and the hall cupboards are made from eucalyptus plywood tinted with an earl-grey mixture, while the bedhead is MDF with a hardwax finish.

Bedroom unit in Ulli Heckmann's compact apartment in Rotterdam — The bedhead unit is made from MDF with a warm-toned hardwax finish

Lime plaster was used on the walls throughout the apartment. The downstairs spaces were left raw and natural, while the bedroom has green pigment added to give it a subtle hint of colour.

For the kitchen, Heckmann used MDF boards with oak veneer and a countertop with a dark Forbo linoleum surface. The cupboard under the stairs features an oak frame surrounding polycarbonate panels, while the staircase podium is made from painted MDF.

Computer nook at Ulli Heckmann's compact apartment in Rotterdam — A hidden desk in the children’s bedroom helps to optimise space usage

Ulli Heckmann completed his Diploma studies at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, in 2006 and worked for several years for agencies in Germany and France, including Maison Edouard François.

He founded his architecture and design studio in Paris in 2013 and now works on projects across Europe, ranging from object and interior design to private housing and architectural competitions.

Other recent Rotterdam projects featured on Dezeen include a floating cross-laminated timber office and a multi-faceted auditorium designed using computer modelling.

The photography is by Ulli Heckmann unless otherwise stated.

Reference

Interior Design

Barde vanVoltt gives historic Haarlem house a contemporary update

By Zarkon Group,13/02/2024

Interiors studio Barde vanVoltt has renovated this early 1900s house in the Dutch city of Haarlem to forge a strong connection between the building’s past and present, grounding the space with warm woods and tactile textures.

The owners – a young family of four – wanted a home that would stand the test of time while telling Dutch practice Barde vanVoltt to “surprise us”.

Exterior of Dutch home by Barde vanVoltt — Barde vanVoltt had overhauled an early 20th-century house in Haarlem

In answer, the studio worked to create an interior that fuses the past and the present.

“Stepping into this house is a journey through time, a reminder that architecture is a dialogue between generations,” the studio told Dezeen.

“Meticulously preserving its historical charm, the house’s design seamlessly integrates contemporary features, creating a harmonious blend that transcends eras.”

Extension of Haarlem House — The studio added an extension to the rear of the home

To address the narrow footprint of the house – a typically Dutch feature – internal walls were either removed, widened or replaced with glass panel doors.

The back of the property was transformed with an extension and concertina glass doors to maximize the sense of light and space.

Kitchen of Dutch home by Barde vanVoltt — The extension houses the kitchen and dining area

“With the extension on the ground floor, we wanted to create contrast with the original architecture,” said Barde vanVoltt. “The understated square modern architecture, due to its shape and angular position, blends perfectly with the past.”

“With the historic facade at the front, we took advantage of the space at the rear, extending the kitchen and living areas into the garden.”

Living room of Haarlem House — A vintage sandstone table centres the living room

The practice carefully aligned the new design elements with shapes drawn from the architectural features of the house, with the new full-height door openings echoing the proportions of the living room’s original windows.

In the attic, a guest room doubles as a playroom. Barde vanVoltt infused this once-dark space with natural light via a skylight, “allowing guests to sleep under the stars”.

Hallway with stained glass windows inside Haarlem House — Barde vanVoltt retained Haarlem House’s original stained glass windows

“Dutch houses are noted for their sloping attic roof lines,” the studio said. “For the children’s bedrooms, we followed this structural line and created custom bunk beds that combine sleep, storage, and space for play.”

The material palette includes a range of mid- and dark-toned timbers that bring a sense of warmth and tactility to the home.

These are complemented by natural materials including stone and linen.

“Our colour scheme always consists of earthy colours like moss green, a faded terracotta, grey concrete and off-whites,” the studio said. “For this residence, we brought them in line with the original colours from the existing tiles and stained glass.”

Children's bedroom inside Dutch home by Barde vanVoltt — Custom bunk beds feature in the children’s bedrooms

The furniture edit features Barde vanVoltt’s favoured mix of statement pieces alongside handmade and bespoke elements.

Selected pieces reflect the architectural style of the building such as the Lot table by Tecta in the study, as well as Gerrit Thomas Rietveld’s 1934 Zig Zag chair and his Steltman chair from 1963, which was the last chair ever created by the Dutch designer.

The playroom, dining area and bedroom all have specially-made seating upholstered in Kvadrat fabrics, while the bedrooms and study feature bespoke beds and closets.

Bathroom inside Dutch home by Barde vanVoltt — Wooden blinds mirror the linear pattern of the bathroom tiles

“We love creating interiors full of handmade, bespoke furniture pieces with refined details,” said Barde vanVoltt. “The headboard of the master bedroom is an art piece in itself. The walnut slats are slightly curved and give it a very sophisticated look.”

The square coffee table in the living room – made from a single piece of sandstone – is a vintage piece from Atelier Uma.

Bedroom inside Haarlem House — Barde vanVoltt created a custom headboard in the primary bedroom

For the lighting scheme, Barde vanVoltt set out to create the right balance between functional and decorative lighting, collaborating with lighting experts PSLab to create a “warm and cosy atmosphere.”

Other Dutch homes that have recently been featured on Dezeen include a house with a hexagonal footprint in Amsterdam and a Hobbit-style residence that is partially buried underground.

The photography is by Thomas de Bruyne.

Reference

Interior Design

Space Projects creates Amsterdam store with thatched hut for Polspotten

By Zarkon Group,29/12/2023

A curvilinear thatched hut has been paired with terracotta-hued tiles at the Amsterdam store for homeware brand Polspotten, which was designed by local studio Space Projects.

The studio created the store to straddle a shop and an office for Polspotten, a furniture and home accessories brand headquartered in the Dutch capital.

Triangular archway in the Amsterdam Polspotten store — Visitors enter the Polspotten store via an oversized triangular entranceway

Characterised by bold angles and arches, the outlet features distinctive terracotta-coloured walls and flooring that nod to traditional pots, Space Projects founder Pepijn Smit told Dezeen.

“The terracotta-inspired colours and materials refer to the brand’s first product, ‘potten’ – or pots,” said Smit, alluding to the first Spanish pots imported by Erik Pol when he founded Polspotten in the Netherlands in 1986.

Plush cream sofa within Amsterdam homeware store — The interconnected spaces are delineated by cutouts

Located in Amsterdam’s Jordaan neighbourhood, the store was arranged across a series of open-plan rooms, interconnected by individual geometric entryways.

Visitors enter at a triangular opening, which was cut away from gridded timber shelving lined with multicoloured pots that mimic totemic artefacts in a gallery.

Curvilinear thatched hut — A curvilinear thatched hut provides a meeting space

The next space features a similar layout, as well as a plump cream sofa with rounded modules and sculptural pots stacked in a striking tower formation.

Travelling further through the store, molten-style candle holders and Polspotten furniture pieces were positioned next to chunky illuminated plinths, which exhibit amorphously shaped vases finished in various coral-like hues.

Accessed through a rectilinear, terracotta-tiled opening, the final space features a bulbous indoor hut covered in thatch and fitted with a light pink opening.

The hut provides a meeting space for colleagues, according to the studio founder.

“The thatch, as a natural material, absorbs sound as well,” explained Smit.

Clusters of pots next to a circular table — The store provides an art gallery-style space for homeware

Next to the hut, Space Projects created an acoustic wall illustrated with “hieroglyphics” of Polspotten products, which references the gallery-like theme that runs throughout the outlet.

“The store was inspired by Polspotten’s use of traditional techniques combined with a collage of their reinterpreted archetypes,” said Smit.

Office space at Polspotten — It is also used as an office space

Elsewhere in Amsterdam, Dutch practice Studio RAP used 3D printing and algorithmic design to create a “wave-like” facade for a boutique store while interior designer Linda Bergroth created the interiors for the city’s Cover Story paint shop to streamline the redecorating process for customers.

The photography is by Kasia Gatkowska.

Reference

Interior Design

De Durgerdam hotel takes over 17th-century sailor’s inn on a dyke

By Zarkon Group,11/12/2023

Dutch hospitality company Aedes has pushed Amsterdam’s building restrictions to their limit to convert a heritage-listed tavern into an all-electric hotel.

De Durgerdam hotel occupies one in a row of almost identical gabled buildings perched on a seawall on lake IJmeer, which together make up the small village of Durgerdam near Amsterdam.

Constructed in 1664, the building originally served as an inn for sailors and fishermen, its white-painted clapboard facade acting as a beacon for boats that could pull right up to its deck in the Zuiderzee bay of the North Sea.

Exterior of De Durgerdam hotel by Aedes — De Durgerdam hotel is set on a seawall outside Amsterdam

Due to recurring flooding, the village was cut off from the sea with the construction of a dam in 1932, turning the bay into a freshwater lake while the inn became a ferry terminal and later a cafe and restaurant.

Following a five-year restoration led by Aedes, the building reopened this year as a boutique hotel with 14 rooms and interiors designed by material research studio Buro Belén.

De Durgerdam, the first hotel to be owned and operated by the Aedes, provided an opportunity to see how far heritage restrictions could be stretched to make the building as sustainable as possible.

Front door of hotel with white weatherboarded facade — The hotel occupies a former inn with a white-painted clapboard facade

“What we have done in terms of sustainability is fairly innovative for a historic building of this kind,” said founder Paul Geertman. “We have pushed the boundaries as far as we could to reduce its environmental impact.”

The 17th-century building now runs on renewable energy – provided by 32 rooftop solar panels and a green energy supplier – and its operations are entirely gas-free.

This was made possible via meticulous insulation and four separate heat pumps, which cover all of the building’s heating and cooling needs in lieu of a traditional boiler.

Lounge area inside De Durgerdam hotel with interiors by Buro Belén — The ground-floor restaurant integrates a small lounge area

With limited space in the old inn, the heat pumps are dotted across the garden where they are hidden in tiny outbuildings complete with gables and clapboards, which Aedes constructed especially to work around local building codes.

“A heat pump in Amsterdam normally has to be inside of your building, otherwise you just don’t get the licence,” Aedes head of sustainability Esther Mouwen told Dezeen. “So we had to build a house around them.”

The windows posed a similar struggle, as the municipality rarely allows the distinctive hand-blown glazing of heritage buildings to be changed.

But Aedes was able to source an energy-efficient triple-glazed model with a pattern of tiny dots across its surface, which creates the optical illusion of looking at rippled glass.

Seating area of De Mark restaurant — An Ingo Maurer chandelier hangs above a vintage sharing table in the restaurant

The renovation itself was a balancing act between changing as little as possible about the building while ensuring that it could survive for another 500 years.

Although from the outside, the three-storey building looks almost exactly like it did when it was first constructed, large parts of its structure had to be carefully dismantled and reconstructed.

“The building had deteriorated over time and the structural integrity had been compromised in some areas,” said Aedes marketing manager Monica Hanlo.

“The interiors had to be carefully renovated and restructured, with beams and stones disassembled, inspected and either reused or replaced.”

Bedroom of De Durgerdam hotel by Buro Belén — The bedrooms are finished in a moody colour palette

Where timber could no longer serve a structural function, it was converted into floorboards alongside reclaimed wood sourced from old church pews and demolished timber houses from Austria.

This wood was smoked for 18 hours to create a rich colour that permeates the timber rather than sitting on top like a stain, which would wear down over time and need re-upping.

“Normally, they do not smoke it that long,” explained Buro Belén co-founder Lenneke Langenhuijsen. “Now it will patina super beautifully because all throughout, it became this really dark wood.”

“It was important to us to make well-based decisions, maybe invest a bit more but it’s a long-lasting product that ages with the hotel and makes it even nicer over time.”

De Durgerdam marks the first time that Buro Belén has applied its material research approach to an entire hotel interior.

“We did a lot of research so that the hotel also feels very grounded in what it once was, in its place,” Langenhuijsen said. “And if you look at the Zuiderzee, it was a very important part of the Netherlands, all the villages around made their living from it.”

Layered throughout the hotel’s interior are references to this seafaring history, delivered via an eclectic mix of new, vintage and bespoke elements created by Buro Belén.

Fireplace in bedroom of hotel by Aedes — A rusty red colour was used to highlight the building’s beams

In the ground-floor restaurant De Mark, framed photos provide a glimpse of the inn’s evolution over the years.

A shaggy curtain frames the lounge area near the entrance, made from traditional flax rope and raw flax fibres that were once used by local fishermen to make their nets.

Weather permitting, patrons can dine outside on the jetty atop lake IJmeer or sit at a long sharing table that forms the centrepiece of the restaurant.

Bathroom of De Durgerdam hotel by Buro Belén — The same colour dominates the guest bathrooms

Overhead, Buro Belén suspended Ingo Maurer’s chandelier Lacrime del Pescatore – or “fisherman’s tears” – made of sparkling crystals that droop from a nylon net.

Its name, according to Langenhuijsen, acts as a subtle reference to the plight of the local fishers, who lost their livelihoods as the village was cut off from the sea.

Upstairs, the inn accommodates three suites and one room, accessed via the building’s untouched original staircase, which still shows the deep grooves that were worn into the wood by thousands of shoes over the centuries.

Garden annex of hotel by Aedes — Ten of the hotel’s 14 rooms are housed in a garden annexe added in 2006

De Durgerdam’s remaining 10 rooms are housed in a garden annexe that was added to the building in 2006. All share a moody colour palette that was drawn from the craft and building traditions of the Zuiderzee.

A rusty red colour – reminiscent of sails treated with tree-bark tannins to prevent rot – was used to highlight key architectural features like the building’s timber beams and the monochrome bathrooms.

Similarly, the inside of the bedrooms’ Shaker-style built-in wardrobes was painted in a sky blue colour that nods to a traditional paint made from buttermilk, chalk and a particular blue pigment, historically used by locals across cupboards and box beds to repel insects.

Small gabled outbuilding outside garden annex of De Durgerdam hotel by Aedes — The hotel’s heat pumps are hidden in tiny gabled outbuildings

Even though construction is complete, Aedes is still working on reducing the hotel’s operational footprint, with the aim of getting 80 per cent of the way towards being zero waste by the end of next year.

The company is also looking into a reliable way of offsetting the building’s whole-life carbon emissions via a reforestation scheme but has so far struggled to find a reliable company that can guarantee measurable, traceable carbon removals.

“We’re not fans of offsetting, because we think we have to make sure we don’t create emissions,” Mouwensaid. “But it’s not possible yet.”

Aedes has previously converted Amsterdam’s art deco Bungehuis building into a Soho House members’ club.

The photography is by Chantal Arnts and Studio Unfolded.

Reference

Architecture

wood and plaster cover the solid form of villa k340 in the netherlands

By Zarkon Group,07/09/2023

Villa K340’s Split-Level Design traces the undulating terrain

Architect Francois Verhoeven constructs Villa K340 in Vroondaal, a natural and recreational area near the Hague, aiming to blend modernity with nature. The region encompasses several designated residential complexes, such as ‘De Hoogte’ where the house stands. The area allows modern villas to be built in a landscape of artificially constructed hills.

K340’s design aligns with the concept of a split-level layout that runs along the contours of the undulating terrain. The entrance rests at a lower elevation while the living areas perch atop the hill, forging a dynamic interplay between architecture and landscape. The project features a juxtaposition of raw, natural materials against sleek design elements. Wooden components and lime plaster, contrast the facade’s clean divisions and slender aluminum window frames. Wooden cladding extends in front of windows and along the front facade, creating a robust silhouette. In the evening, light shines through the gaps of the cladding elements from within the villa.

all images courtesy of Francois Verhoeven Architect

wooden cladding coats the house creating a robust exterior

A large pivot door merges into the facade when closed, offering a sense of privacy and structural delineation at the entrance area. A central staircase and adjoining outdoor spaces provide views of the villa’s various levels. The design team attends to meticulous detailing to ensure fluid transitions between interior and exterior spaces, concealing the window frames behind cladding and plasterwork. The wooden facades cover up the roof edges and blend gracefully with set-back windows, extending the main shape from the top to ground level. Floor-to-ceiling windows free of mullions and thresholds are incorporated into the interior, integrating into the walls.

the design of Villa K340 aims to blend modernity with nature

Francois Verhoeven inserts eco-Friendly Features in Villa K340

Aiming for a sustainable design, the project features triple glazing, a geothermal heat pump, CO2-controlled ventilation, and strategically designed overhangs that provide shade in the summer and allow plentiful sunlight in during the winter. Solar panels, discreetly set behind the elevated roof edge, keep the villa’s energy consumption to a minimum. The villa’s garage, thoughtfully integrated into the architectural design, features a green roof. The roof, the surrounding organic garden and pond are designed and landscaped by Biotooptuinen and complement the modern design, enhancing the house’s overall aesthetic appeal.

the project features a split-level layout

the entrance rests at a lower elevation while the living areas perch atop the hill

the surrounding organic garden and pond complement the modern design

Reference

Architecture

netherlands plans luminous, rippling pavilion for expo 2025 osaka

By Zarkon Group,25/07/2023

the netherlands pavilion: exploring the power of water

The Netherlands has recently announced its participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, set to take place from April 13th to October 13th, 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The pavilion will be characterized by its unique circular design and integration of clean, anthropogenic energy creation. This innovative structure promises to showcase the Netherlands’ creative solutions to global energy challenges, particularly in the realm of sustainable power generation through water-based technologies — visitors to the Netherlands Pavilion will discover new technologies that can harness the power of water.

‘Making clean, renewable energy accessible to everyone is the key to a sustainable society and a sustainable economy,’ says Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher. ‘The Russian war in Ukraine has put energy security higher on many countries’ agendas. I’m proud of the Dutch design, which showcases the innovative solutions that the Netherlands has to offer and introduces visitors to the possibilities of a zero-emission future driven by circularity.’

visualizations © Plomp | @plo.mp

a luminous ‘rising sun’ symbolizes circular design

The Netherlands Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka will addresses one of humanity’s most critical challenges — the recognition that finite resources are not sustainable. Embracing this principle, a circular design will incorporate renewable materials and zero-emission energy sources as the foundation of the structure. Water, as an abundant and clean energy source, plays a prominent role, elegantly reflected in the facade and roof of the circular structure. An important element of the design is its ability to be dismantled and reassembled as needed.

The theme of the Netherlands Pavilion is ‘Common Ground: creating a new dawn together.’ This vision explores new technologies which harness the power of water to produce emission-free energy, providing access to clean power for all. The illuminated sphere, or abstracted ‘rising sun’ will shine brightly at the center of the architecture to symbolize infinite clean energy, sustainability, and circularity.

the architecture symbolizes a rising sun over rippling waters

dutch design to arrive in japan

To be built in time for Expo 2025 Osaka, the Netherlands Pavilion is the result of a collaboration between RAU Architects, engineering consultancy DGMR, experience design studio Tellart and Japanese construction company Asanuma.

‘We are nearing the end of materials and fossil resources,’ says the team at RAU Architects. ‘Our solution is the circular design, with circular materials and zero-emission energy sources. As the pavilion has water as its theme, this is reflected in the design of the facade, the roof and the fact that we consider water as emission-free energy. The entire pavilion is designed to be reassembled and is circular. All materials are registered in a material passport on the Madaster platform. Inside, guests take an interactive journey that builds to an immersive show that brings these transformative ideas to life.’

the fluid facade shades the interiors and lends irregular shadows

expo 2025 osaka: the master plan by Sou Fujimoto

The overall master plan for Expo 2025 Osaka has been designed by Sou Fujimoto. In a recent interview with designboom (see here), the Japanese architect describes the project: ‘The biggest project I am working on is the master design of the Expo Osaka 2025. For this, I proposed a huge ring-shaped roof that serves as a circulation map. The roof not only protects people from sunlight and rain but is also enormous, with a diameter of almost 700 meters. We are designing it using a wooden structure, which presents unique challenges due to the scale and materials involved. However, Japan has a wonderful tradition of historical wood construction, and I aim to draw inspiration from it and blend it with new technology in the construction process.

the pavilion will include interactive exhibits to explore the power of water

‘This work is not only a wonderful trial for working on such a large scale but also an exciting challenge in terms of innovative construction techniques,‘ Sou Fujimoto tells designboom, describing his master plan for the Expo. ‘On the rooftop, visitors can go up and experience a lifted surface that resembles a bank, allowing them to appreciate the sky above and feel completely immersed in the environment. As the location is in the middle of Osaka Bay, no tall structures are around, offering a clear view of the sky in a pure circle. And that must be a very impressive experience that people will look up at the same circle in the sky. And you can imagine we are really sharing this precious nature, and everybody is under it. It’s not just about technical construction but also about creating unforgettable experiences for everyone to cherish.‘

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physical model

elevation

project info:

project title: Netherlands Pavilion | @nlexpo2025

event: Expo 2025 Osaka | @expo2025japan

architecture: RAU Architects | @rau.architects

engineering: DGMR | @dgmradviseurs

experience design: Tellart | @tellart

construction: Asanuma

visualizations: © AND BV, © Plomp | @plo.mp

Reference

Architecture

30 Best Architecture Firms in the Netherlands

By Zarkon Group,25/02/2023

The Dutch have long been at the vanguard of architectural discourse. From functionalism and neoplasticism to structuralism and deconstructivism, to the “international” character of the contemporary global context, designers from the Netherlands have been realizing daringly dynamic constructions for over a century. The culture of experimentation that fuses bold aesthetic detail with even bolder engineering feats comes as no surprise in a country that has, for centuries, relied on engineering to make their land liveable by draining water and relying on polders.

Cities across the Netherlands are bursting with innovative design, and in this respect, Rotterdam particularly stands out as a hotbed for experimentation. From the moment visitors arrive through its sleek train station, the city acts as a museum for cutting-edge contemporary design: from Huis Sonneveld and Kubuswoningen to the Erasmusbrug and Markthal, and the recently completed Boijmans Depot. Many of the architectural firms on this list are rooted in this city. They are in good company with those who aren’t.

Contemporary architectural discourse could not be cited without referencing the plethora of Dutch thinkers. Think of Rem Koolhaas, Wiel Arets, Jacob Van Rijs: these innovative and intelligent spirits have founded some of the biggest global firms, proving time and again that Dutch centrality in global design discourse is shatterproof.

With so many architecture firms to choose from, it’s challenging for clients to identify the industry leaders that will be an ideal fit for their project needs. Fortunately, Architizer is able to provide guidance on the top design firms in Netherlands based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge.

How are these architecture firms ranked?

The following ranking has been created according to key statistics that demonstrate each firm’s level of architectural excellence. The following metrics have been accumulated to establish each architecture firm’s ranking, in order of priority:

The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2023)
The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2023)

Each of these metrics is explained in more detail at the foot of this article. This ranking list will be updated annually, taking into account new achievements of Netherlands architecture firms throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are the 30 best architecture firms in Netherlands:

30. Benthem Crouwel Architects

For almost four decades, Benthem Crouwel Architects has been creating innovative, flexible and efficient designs in a variety of scales: from universities, museums, bridges, railway stations, metro lines, offices, housing, malls and urban plans to bicycle racks, tiny houses and crossover projects with designers. In all designs, Benthem Crouwel seeks a balance between economic, social and ecological interests, with a particular focus on innovation and sustainability.

Some of Benthem Crouwel Architects’s most prominent projects include:

Bella Donna, Amstelveen, The Netherlands
Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Car Park RAI Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Cuyperspassage, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Stedelijk Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The following statistics helped Benthem Crouwel Architects achieve 30th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	6
Total Projects	10

29. Kraaijvanger Architects

Creating places to explore. Kraaijvanger strives to create healthy environments for people to work, learn, and enjoy themselves in. Such as public spaces, public buildings, and urban districts, where unique encounters occur, where memories are made, and where important decisions are taken. We take our inspiration from socially relevant themes. And we look ahead as building is a slow process in a rapidly changing world.

Some of Kraaijvanger Architects’s most prominent projects include:

City Hall Venlo, Venlo, Netherlands
Early Childhood Center, Wassenaar, Wassenaar, Netherlands
City Hall Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
Museum Voorlinden, Wassenaar, Netherlands
Brede School Snijdelwijk, Boskoop, Netherlands

The following statistics helped Kraaijvanger Architects achieve 29th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Winner	2
Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	14

28. cepezed

cepezed is a medium sized, award-winning spatial design specialist. Assignments address the challenges of town-planning, industry, interiors and particularly architecture. cepezed represents knowledge, skill and a stimulating no-nonsense mentality. Combining conceptual skills, contemporary solutions for contemporary problems and ingenious creativity, results are disarmingly sober and inimitably intelligible.

Aesthetics and functionality are logically linked. At cepezed, projects are designed as monuments of function for people, not monuments of thanks to an architect.
cepezed is skilled at managing the complexity behind simplicity. It uses an integral design method with multiple material use in which various aspects such as spatial design, construction and installation techniques are forged into an indivisible whole.

Some of cepezed’s most prominent projects include:

Temporary Courthouse Amsterdam , Amsterdam, Netherlands
International student house, Delft, Netherlands
State Office De Knoop, Utrecht, Netherlands
Graafschap college, Doetinchem, Netherlands
Town hall Woerden, Woerden, Netherlands

The following statistics helped cepezed achieve 28th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	6
Total Projects	18

27. derksen|windt architecten

derksen|windt architecten is a young and distinctive ambitious architecture studio with its own signature, founded in 2008 by Jeroen Derksen and David Windt. ‘We started our office because we want our vision on architecture translated into projects. We make our designs thinking from the optimal future experience for the users. From the inside as well as from the outside.

This creates a beautiful, often original, sharply detailled design. For every assignment we look for a clear and ideal starting point, a question that needs to be answered for that specific assignment.

Some of derksen|windt architecten’s most prominent projects include:

Cafeteria van Ruyven, Maassluis, The Netherlands
Contemporary extension to a house as an indispensable connection between the inside and outside., De Zilk, Netherlands
EXTENSION AND REFURBISHMENT HOUSE IN AMSTERDAM, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Extension and internal overhaul ’30s house, Heemstede, Netherlands
Concrete split-level house, Capelle aan den IJssel, Netherlands

The following statistics helped derksen|windt architecten achieve 27th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	6
Total Projects	11

26. Personal Architecture

Personal Architecture is a Rotterdam based architectural firm. P·A works for individual and corporate clients. The expertise is broad: in addition to new construction projects, P·A is involved in the redevelopment and renovation of residential and commercial buildings. The partners of the firm, Maarten and Sander, stand for personal contact with the client, an integrated approach to the project and a transparent but highly organized process.

P·A is strong in taking care of the client, from the initiation phase to construction and management. The love for good design and a passion for building result in projects with high utility value and good architectural quality.

Some of Personal Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

A bold intervention, The Hague, The Netherlands
A second chance, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Back to nature, Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands
Not a box in an empty field, Zevenhuizen, Netherlands
A garden connection, Rotterdam, Netherlands

The following statistics helped Personal Architecture achieve 26th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	6
Total Projects	10

25. Bloot Architecture

BLOOT is a concept driven architectural studio located in The Hague, The Netherlands. Founded in October 2010 by Tjeerd Bloothoofd. With much pleasure and great dedication we are constantly searching through design for the concept and shape that unites the function, context, actuality and the wishes of the client in an integral sustainable design that appeals to the development of self-awareness and the liberty of choice in life.

Some of Bloot Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

Garden Studio, Voorburg, Netherlands
Transformation Forest House, Hengelo, Netherlands
Pavilion The Hague Beach Stadium, 4, Strandweg, Scheveningen, Den Haag, Netherlands
Patio House, Velp, Netherlands
Fig Tree House, The Hague, Netherlands

The following statistics helped Bloot Architecture achieve 25th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	6
Total Projects	8

24. Hilberink Bosch Architecten

The various projects of HILBERINKBOSCH architects — ranging from private and project-based housing, offices, renovations and large-scale urban studies — are characterized by a conceptual approach. The base of all concepts is formed by a precise analysis of the history, the urban lot, function, requirements and potentials.

Form, material and colour arises from this concept, representing the poetry of life. The different aspects of study slowly grow into an actual building. The building becomes part of the poetry, part of the memory, it becomes meaningful. We are passionately seeking for the smartest solution for complex cases.

Some of Hilberink Bosch Architecten’s most prominent projects include:

House at the Edge of a Forest, Heesch, Netherlands
Four Houses at Oud-Empel, Oud-Empel, Netherlands
Farm on Wamberg, Berlicum, Netherlands
Huize Vreeburg, Rosmalen, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, NB, The Netherlands
Dune Villa, Utrecht, The Netherlands

The following statistics helped Hilberink Bosch Architecten achieve 24th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	6
Total Projects	6

23. studio PROTOTYPE

studio PROTOTYPE is an Amsterdam-based architecture, urbanism and research firm. Founded in 2008, the studio believes in breaking from existing trends in order to create structures that withstand the test of time.

Some of studio PROTOTYPE’s most prominent projects include:

Villa Schoorl, Schoorl, Netherlands
Tiny pavilion in Vught, Vught, NB, Netherlands
Ortho Wijchen, Wijchen, Netherlands
Water Villa, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
House W, Duiven, The Netherlands

The following statistics helped studio PROTOTYPE achieve 23rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Winner	2
A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	5
Total Projects	10

22. design Erick van Egeraat

Design Erick van Egeraat works on projects ranging from entirely new buildings and masterplans to interventions within historic structures. Common denominator in this diverse portfolio is our expertise which lies in striking visionary balances between the intended identity, level of ambition and overall quality of the projects.

Known for formulating unique architectural solutions, Erick van Egeraat creates iconic identities which optimize property values while acknowledging the social, emotional and intellectual impacts on both their environment and users. We provide both public and private clients with architectural and masterplanning services; interior and product design.

Some of design Erick van Egeraat’s most prominent projects include:

Waste to Energy Plant, Roskilde, Denmark
Erick van Egeraat Office Tower Amsterdam, Claude Debussylaan, Amsterdam-Zuid, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Vershina Trade and Entertainment Center, Surgut, Russia
Chess Club, Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia
Drents Museum, Assen, Netherlands

The following statistics helped design Erick van Egeraat achieve 22nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Winner	1
Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	32

21. Mei architects and planners

Mei architects and planners realises leading projects in the Netherlands and abroad. Our work is founded on respect for the environment: for the history of the location, the current context and future living environment. Based on our expertise in the field of adaptive re-use of architectural heritage, new build projects and urban development strategies, we work on designs that put the user first.

Our distinct designs tell their own story, which increases the involvement with the building and the connection between its users. With creativity, expertise and courage, we introduce innovative technical applications and user concepts that contribute to social and ecological sustainability.

Some of Mei architects and planners’s most prominent projects include:

SAWA, Rotterdam, Netherlands
residential tower De Verkenner, Kanaleneiland, Netherlands
Schiecentrale 4B, Lloydstraat, Delfshaven, Rotterdam, Netherlands
The Four Worlds
Cheese Warehouse, Gouda, Netherlands

The following statistics helped Mei architects and planners achieve 21st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	6
Total Projects	18

20. Barcode Architects

Barcode Architects is an international office for architecture, urbanism and contemporary design. The office is led by Dirk Peters and Caro van de Venne, along with a creative team of 70 professionals including architects, urban designers, and technologists. We have building experience in both the Netherlands and abroad.

Our work ranges from urban masterplans to mixed-use public buildings, from high-end residential and office towers to exclusive villas. Our projects are driven by the ambition to realize buildings that revitalize and transform their surroundings, offer a moving experience, awaken an aesthetic awareness and that users can identify with.

Some of Barcode Architects’s most prominent projects include:

Bibliothèque Alexis de Tocqueville, Normandy, France
Villa X, NB, Netherlands
Hyde Park, Hoofddorp, Netherlands
Bijlmer Bajes, Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Robin Bajeskwartier, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The following statistics helped Barcode Architects achieve 20th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	16

19. NEXT architects

NEXT architects is an architecture practice that covers the full spectrum of the architectural field. Since its earliest projects, ‘Holland – Layer by Layer’ and ‘The Image of Metropolis’, NEXT has explored the boundaries of its own discipline, and searched for areas that overlap with other disciplines. This exploratory attitude has resulted in a highly diverse portfolio that ranges from design products to urban plans.

Some of NEXT architects’s most prominent projects include:

Lianjiang Butterfly Bay, Lianjiang, Fuzhou, China
Bloemendaal Town Hall, Bloemendaal, Netherlands
Fuzhou Shouxi Building, Fuzhou, China
Lucky Knot, Changsha, China
House M&M, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The following statistics helped NEXT architects achieve 19th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	13

18. René van Zuuk Architects bv

copyright Luuk Kramer - © René van Zuuk Architects bv

René van Zuuk Architects is an Almere-based practice founded in 1992 by René van Zuuk. Despite the diversity in the designs of René van Zuuk Architects, there are a few constant themes that run throughout. Above all is the desire of both clients and architect alike to create ‘something special.

The office strives to create architecture that challenges conventions. Underlying all of the designs is the continued search for methods to create a building as interesting as possible with minimal cost.

Some of René van Zuuk Architects bv’s most prominent projects include:

Belvedere Tower, Hilversum, Netherlands
ACRAM
De Verbeelding, 25, De Verbeelding, Zeewolde, Netherlands
Project X, 8, De Fantasie, Almere Stad, Almere, Netherlands
Pavilion Roosendaal, Nieuwe Markt, Roosendaal, Netherlands

The following statistics helped René van Zuuk Architects bv achieve 18th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	10

17. GROUP A

We are GROUP A, a Dutch studio for architecture, interior and urban design founded in 1996. Led by the founders Maarten van Bremen, Folkert van Hagen and Adam Visser. In the past twenty-five years we have realized a wide range of projects. From offices to housing and from mobility assignments to transformations.

In our work, the disciplines urban planning, architecture and interior design are inextricably linked. This way we create sustainable environments where people live, work and reside comfortably. As a full service agency, we are responsible for the entire process, from design to completion.

Some of GROUP A’s most prominent projects include:

Central Park , Utrecht, Netherlands
Workshop Steigereiland
Blok 1 Presikhaaf, Zoomstraat, Arnhem, Netherlands
Cultural Educational Centre ‘Het Lichtruim’, De Bilt, Netherlands
Office Building De Schelde, 65, Glacisstraat, Vlissingen, Netherlands

The following statistics helped GROUP A achieve 17th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	21

16. Shift A+U

Shift is a Rotterdam-based design office that focuses on the fields of architecture, urbanism and spatial planning. The office combines a broad engagement in space production with precise and project-specific design interventions.

Some of Shift A+U’s most prominent projects include:

Faculty Club, 2, Warandelaan, West Tilburg, Tilburg, Netherlands
Museumplein Limburg, Kerkrade, Netherlands
Vertical Loft, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
CMY Pavilion, Groningen, Netherlands
Dentist with a view, Best, Netherlands

The following statistics helped Shift A+U achieve 16th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	8
Total Projects	8

15. LIAG architects + engineers

Together with our clients, we create powerful properties with a positive attitude towards the environment and its users. LIAG has strong affinity with the realization of integrated sustainable housing solutions that also take into account the total life of a building.

Functionality, the use of the building including the building operation and the user take the centre stage. Happiness of the user is central.

Some of LIAG architects + engineers’s most prominent projects include:

Rapenburg 65, Rapenburg, Leiden, Netherlands
Niekée Facility Centre, 300, Oranjelaan, Roermond, Netherlands
ROC Rijn IJssel, 2, Middachtensingel, Arnhem, Netherlands
Fire Station and Ambulance Post, Petroleumhaven, Waldorpstraat, Laak, Den Haag, Netherlands
NBHW ALKMAAR

The following statistics helped LIAG architects + engineers achieve 15th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	30

14. Atelier Kempe Thill

Since the nineties, contemporary architecture has increasingly been confronted by two contradicting developments, which can be seen on all levels and working fields. On one hand, architects are requested to design neutral and anonymous buildings that can easily be changed for other uses; these buildings have to be able to respond to changing economic situations and have to be adaptable to different programs.

On the other hand, architects are asked to create very specific buildings that are easy to identify; this kind of architecture has to appeal to the user through a unique use of form and space. Atelier Kempe Thill consciously takes this modern paradox as the point of departure for their work.

Some of Atelier Kempe Thill’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Atelier Kempe Thill achieve 14th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	12

13. MoederscheimMoonen Architects

We are a team of strategic creatives who want to make the world a better place. For us, the big idea plays an important role in how we look at the world, our team and our collaborations.

We think carefully, make informed decisions and make the right connections. We create calm and overview in complex situations. We do what is needed at the right times while always staying focused on the bigger picture.

Some of MoederscheimMoonen Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped MoederscheimMoonen Architects achieve 13th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	8
Total Projects	19

12. De Zwarte Hond

De Zwarte Hond was established in 1985 in Groningen and has offices in Rotterdam and Cologne. It has a staff of more than fifty people with differing backgrounds, competencies and skills. The integral design and realization of architecture and urban assignments is carried out in multi-disciplinary teams. De Zwarte Hond’s portfolio spans the entire spectrum of residential, working and recreational environments, in rural and urban contexts: from villas to row housing, from offices to schools, from cultural facilities to recreational landscape.

Some of De Zwarte Hond’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped De Zwarte Hond achieve 12th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	14

11. Neutelings Riedijk Architects

Neutelings Riedijk Architects was established in Rotterdam in 1987. We offer a strong commitment to design excellence: realizing high quality architecture through the development of powerful and innovative concepts into clear built form. Over the last thirty years Neutelings Riedijk Architects has established itself as a leading international practice, specializing in the design of complex projects for public, commercial and cultural buildings.

The office has great experience in balancing the complex challenges of these projects to meet the ambitions of our client. For our international projects our design force is complemented by technical force through the association with local partners that specialize in architectural engineering, cost calculation and site supervision.

Some of Neutelings Riedijk Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Neutelings Riedijk Architects achieve 11th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	9
Total Projects	11

10. Paul de Ruiter Architects

The keywords innovation, sustainability, identity and interaction characterize the vision of Paul de Ruiter Architects. We believe in the future. Since the foundation of our practice in 1994 we work on sustainable, innovative architecture that focuses on the health and happiness of people.

Sustainable technology and aesthetics go hand in hand. After all, appreciating the beauty of buildings is just as important as energy efficiency or the health of an indoor climate.

Some of Paul de Ruiter Architects’s most prominent projects include:

Villa Kogelhof, Zeeland, Netherlands
Villa K, Thuringia, Germany
Sigmax, Enschede, The Netherlands
Polak Building / Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
The 4th Gymnasium, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The following statistics helped Paul de Ruiter Architects achieve 10th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Winner	2
A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	8
Total Projects	12

9. Borren Staalenhoef Architects

Jacob Borren and André Staalenhoef are modern masters of architecture. Passionate and persevering. Borren Staalenhoef are determined to tackle every aspect of the spatial task; to oversee a large degree of complexity and to reduce it to clear, layered structures. Their ultimate objective is the act of building: the creation of a tangible object that speaks through the details.

Their solutions are the result of a long series of consistent decisions and elaborations: diagrams and matrixes, sketches and artist’s impressions, ground plans and sections, construction models and working drawings. It is in this method of working that the mastery and strength of this architecture lies.

Some of Borren Staalenhoef Architects’s most prominent projects include:

woonhuis Marssum, Marssum, Netherlands
Het Bushok, Kortenhoef, The Netherlands
Villa Juliana, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
Archem Estate, Archem, Netherlands
House Boogert, Epe, Netherlands

The following statistics helped Borren Staalenhoef Architects achieve 9th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	9
Total Projects	13

8. LEVS architecten

LEVS architecten works from the notion that architecture and urban planning have quite a significant impact on our surroundings, on people and society as a whole, as well as the environment. We incorporate this responsibility when detailing our assignments and in our approach to running our enterprise. We welcome the challenge of complex projects in which our aim lies in finding surprising solutions which deliver a result beyond prior expectations.

Our goal is to design buildings and areas where residents will eventually articulate a passion about the places they work, live and inhabit; spaces which express an optimal interweaving of functionality, aesthetics and sustainability. LEVS architecten was established in 1989 as Loof & van Stigt Architecten.

Some of LEVS architecten’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped LEVS architecten achieve 8th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	10
Total Projects	20

7. atelier PRO architekten

Atelier PRO is an architectural office in The Hague in the Netherlands that continues to innovate in the field of architecture, urban planning, interior design, building management and building cost management. For more than 35 years we create with the greatest of pleasure well-considered designs for challenging locations, often with extraordinary programmes.

Some of atelier PRO architekten’s most prominent projects include:

Graafschap college, Doetinchem, Netherlands
ROC Graafschap College, Doetinchem, Netherlands
Multifunctional community school Krimpen aan de Lek, Krimpen aan de Lek, Netherlands
School, Child and Community Centre O3, The Hague, Netherlands
MFC De Statie, Sas van Gent, Sas van Gent, Netherlands

The following statistics helped atelier PRO architekten achieve 7th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	15
Total Projects	98

6. Wiel Arets Architects

Wiel Arets Architects (WAA) is a globally active architecture and design firm, whose work extends to education and publishing, with studios located in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. Comprised of an international team of architects, designers, thinkers and administrators, the firm is currently involved in large number of projects throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Africa.

The firm’s architecture and design emerges from research and a balance of hybrid-programming solutions, which adapt to and anticipate future contextual change. The output of WAA is acclaimed for both its craftsmanship and tactility.

Some of Wiel Arets Architects’s most prominent projects include:

Jellyfish House, Marbella, Spain
The Hoge Heren, Zalmhaven, Centrum, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Four Towers Osdorp, Jan van Zutphenstraat, Amsterdam Nieuw-West, Amsterdam, Netherlands
V’ Tower, 565, Flight Forum, Strijp, Eindhoven, Netherlands
University Library Utrecht, 3, Heidelberglaan, Oost, Utrecht, Netherlands

The following statistics helped Wiel Arets Architects achieve 6th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

Featured Projects	15
Total Projects	22

5. i29

We are i29, an award winning office for interior and architecture projects. In a world that becomes more and more digital, we shape the physical experiences around us; clear, effective, surprising. We deliver work that stands out for its simplicity. The great diversity in our portfolio gives the possibility to think “out of the box” and to work inclusive for all kinds of clients and users.

We do not provide standard solutions, but we do apply standardized working methods to guarantee quality, efficiency and creativity. We innovate by design, and make work that inspires a better future. We are constantly changing to make relevant work.

Some of i29’s most prominent projects include:

Culture 01, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Felix Meritis Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Floating Home, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Home 10, Paris, France
Museum Princessehof, Leeuwarden, Netherlands

The following statistics helped i29 achieve 5th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Finalist	5
Featured Projects	18
Total Projects	28

4. UNStudio

UNStudio is an international architectural practice, situated in Amsterdam since 1988, with extensive experience in the fields of urbanism, infrastructure, public, private and utility buildings on different scale levels. At the basis of UNStudio are a number of long-term goals, which are intended to define and guide the quality of our performance in the architectural field.

We strive to make a significant contribution to the discipline of architecture, to continue to develop our qualities with respect to design, technology, knowledge and management and to be a specialist in public network projects. We see as mutually sustaining the environment, market demands and client wishes that enable our work, and we aim for results in which our goals and our client’s goals overlap.

Some of UNStudio’s most prominent projects include:

Canaletto, London, United Kingdom
P.C. Hooftstraat 138, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Arnhem Central, Arnhem, Netherlands
Burnham Pavilion, Chicago, IL, United States
Le Toison d’Or, Brussels, Belgium

The following statistics helped UNStudio achieve 4th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Winner	3
Featured Projects	23
Total Projects	29

3. OMA

OMA is a leading international partnership practicing architecture, urbanism, and cultural analysis. OMA’s buildings and masterplans around the world insist on intelligent forms while inventing new possibilities for content and everyday use.

Some of OMA’s most prominent projects include:

Milstein Hall, Ithaca, NY, United States
11th Street Bridge Park, Washington, DC, United States
Rebuild by Design
Faena District, Miami, FL, United States
MPavilion 2017, Melbourne, Australia

The following statistics helped OMA achieve 3rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Winner	4
A+Awards Finalist	4
Featured Projects	45
Total Projects	61

2. MVRDV

MVRDV is based in Rotterdam and works in the fields of architecture, urbanism and city planning. Founded by Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs and Nathalie de Vries, the firm has a global scope and approaches each project with a collaborative spirit and through a research-based design method.

Some of MVRDV’s most prominent projects include:

Tianjin Binhai Library, Tianjin, China
Tainan Spring, Tainan, Taiwan
Depot Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
WERK12, Munich, Germany
Crystal Houses, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The following statistics helped MVRDV achieve 2nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Winner	8
Featured Projects	62
Total Projects	75

1. Mecanoo

Mecanoo, officially founded in Delft in 1984, is made up of a highly multidisciplinary staff of creative professionals from 25 countries. The team includes architects, interior designers, urban planners, landscape architects as well as architectural technicians and support staff.

Led by Francine Houben (Creative Director & Founding Partner), Mecanoo has extensive experience designing and realizing exceptional buildings which serve client ambitions while creating vibrant end-user spaces.

Some of Mecanoo’s most prominent projects include:

National Kaohsiung Centre for the Arts (Wei-Wu-Ying), Kaohsiung, Taiwan
HUBB – Learning Environments, Eindhoven, Netherlands
Delft City Hall and Train Station, Delft, Netherlands
Palace of Justice, Córdoba, Spain
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, Washington, DC, United States

The following statistics helped Mecanoo achieve 1st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Netherlands:

A+Awards Winner	9
A+Awards Finalist	10
Featured Projects	71
Total Projects	109

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

With more than 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the world’s largest online community of architects and building product manufacturers. Its celebrated A+Awards program is also the largest celebration of architecture and building products, with more than 400 jurors and hundreds of thousands of public votes helping to recognize the world’s best architecture each year.

Architizer also powers firm directories for a number of AIA (American Institute of Architects) Chapters nationwide, including the official directory of architecture firms for AIA New York.

An example of a project page on Architizer with Project Award Badges highlighted

A Guide to Project Awards

The blue “”+”” badge denotes that a project has won a prestigious A+Award as described above. Hovering over the badge reveals details of the award, including award category, year, and whether the project won the jury or popular choice award.

The orange Project of the Day and yellow Featured Project badges are awarded by Architizer’s Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a project’s likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status:

Project completed within the last 3 years
A well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphs
Architectural design with a high level of both functional and aesthetic value
High quality, in focus photographs
At least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the building
Inclusion of architectural drawings and renderings
Inclusion of construction photographs

There are 7 Projects of the Day each week and a further 31 Featured Projects. Each Project of the Day is published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Stories, while each Featured Project is published on Facebook. Each Project of the Day also features in Architizer’s Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.

We’re constantly look for the world’s best architects to join our community. If you would like to understand more about this ranking list and learn how your firm can achieve a presence on it, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com.

Reference

Sustainable News

Global innovation spotlight: The Netherlands

By Zarkon Group,05/09/2022

Global innovation spotlight: The Netherlands

Global Innovation Spotlight

Reflecting our global Springwise readership, we explore the innovation landscape and freshest thinking from a new country each week. This week we are heading to the Netherlands…

The Netherlands Innovation Facts

Global Innovation Index ranking: 6th

Climate targets: 49 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, 95 per cent reduction by 2050

Sustainability issues

Nitrogen pollution – The Netherlands sits behind only the United States as an agricultural exporter. Heavy fertiliser use and large numbers of livestock have led to high levels of nitrogen oxides in the air and water. In response, the Dutch government has introduced ambitious nitrogen pollution reduction targets which have, in turn, sparked protests by farmers.

Noise pollution – Noise pollution is an underappreciated problem in Europe. The European Environment Agency, estimates that long-term exposure to environmental noise causes 12,000 premature deaths each year. Around Amersterdam’s Schiphol Airport, noise pollution has become such a concern that it has led to plans to reduce the airport’s capacity by 20 per cent.

Plastic pollution – Plastic pollution is an important concern for the Dutch public with one survey finding that 71 per cent of people in the Netherlands support a ban on single-use plastic. But a recent study from the University of Leiden found that 13 kilotonnes of plastic from the Netherlands end up in the oceans each year.

Sector specialisms

Foodtech
Energy and environment
Fintech

Source: StartupBlink

Three exciting innovations from the Netherlands

HELPING COMMERCIAL KITCHENS MANAGE FOOD WASTE

According to one report, as much as half a pound of food is wasted for every restaurant meal, including from kitchen waste and what’s left on customers’ plates. While some of this can’t be helped (peels, rinds, food that has gone off), there is a lot of scope for improvement. That is the goal of Dutch startup Orbisk, which has developed a computer vision-based system that helps food service operators identify and cut down on waste. Read more

RECYLED BRICKS TACKLE WASTE AND EMISSIONS

According to the UN Environmental Programme, the construction industry accounts for around 11 per cent of total global carbon emissions. Now, Dutch startup StoneCycling is hoping to make a dent in this figure with bricks made from recycled construction debris. The company currently makes recycled bricks containing 60 per cent waste, and in the future expects to bring that figure up to 100 per cent. Read more

QUICK-GROWING CULTURED MEAT SAVES WATER AND REDUCES EMISSIONS

Grown from cells taken from unharmed animals, Meatable’s meat is identical in every way to traditionally farmed animal meat with a significant exception – the production process. The harvested cells are used to replicate the natural process of fat and muscle growth in a process that takes only a few weeks. By contrast, it takes around three years for a cow to grow to a point where it can be slaughtered. Read more

Words: Matthew Hempstead

To keep up with the latest innovations, sign up to our free newsletters or email info@springwise.com to get in touch.

2nd September 2022

Reference

netherlands

Villa K340’s Split-Level Design traces the undulating terrain

wooden cladding coats the house creating a robust exterior

Francois Verhoeven inserts eco-Friendly Features in Villa K340

the netherlands pavilion: exploring the power of water

a luminous ‘rising sun’ symbolizes circular design

dutch design to arrive in japan

expo 2025 osaka: the master plan by Sou Fujimoto

How are these architecture firms ranked?

30. Benthem Crouwel Architects

29. Kraaijvanger Architects

28. cepezed

27. derksen|windt architecten

26. Personal Architecture

25. Bloot Architecture

24. Hilberink Bosch Architecten

23. studio PROTOTYPE

22. design Erick van Egeraat

21. Mei architects and planners

20. Barcode Architects

19. NEXT architects

18. René van Zuuk Architects bv

17. GROUP A

16. Shift A+U

15. LIAG architects + engineers

14. Atelier Kempe Thill

13. MoederscheimMoonen Architects

12. De Zwarte Hond

11. Neutelings Riedijk Architects

10. Paul de Ruiter Architects

9. Borren Staalenhoef Architects

8. LEVS architecten

7. atelier PRO architekten

6. Wiel Arets Architects

5. i29

4. UNStudio

3. OMA

2. MVRDV

1. Mecanoo

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

A Guide to Project Awards

Global innovation spotlight: The Netherlands

The Netherlands Innovation Facts

Three exciting innovations from the Netherlands

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