Did you always want to be an designer / architect?

No, my first love was building dykes and dams to protect my country from the North Sea floods. I guess, I was in love with Engineers from day one. It was later on that I did discover my abilities to create, around age13, then so to speak all dams broke loose.

Describe your early architectural design experiences?

After my scholarship at the BA in Paris, I started designing in the South of France, generally remodels of old houses in the province. Influenced by the early James Bond movies, I used a lot of glass and polished concrete in junction with the old building. I also started designing restaurants, more for a practical reason, to take care of the starving artist in me. 

You also studied sculpture, what part does that play in your work?

I still sculpt, in clay, the human body. I like to focus on the regulating lines that make the composition work in 3-D. By drawing the human form, I also  became very aware of its proportions and its engineering. For example how the Golden Rule defines all proportions of our ligaments and how tendons create the most efficient leverage using this geometry.

Can you explain your work method?

My work method is very simple. I assemble all facts on the project. Then I focus deeply on what the Owner or End-user of the project expects and needs. I first lay out the functions and the path. The human body is in constant motion, it can be behind a desk, or moving through a structure. Once I get a sense of the flow of the movements, I create sections. Taking in considerations ergonomics, light, views, communications privacy, etc. I draw and constantly ask myself what would be the best solution and then draw it.

After I have a bundle of sections, I flip though them and start looking for a reoccurring theme in them, which then becomes the basis for my structure and design and the general look of the building.

Although I take consideration land, codes and building envelopes at the start, my design really starts with the people that use the building. For me that is the driving force behind the design. I love it as this gets expressed in the exterior look of the designs.

Your love of nature shines thru your work.  Can you expand on this?

Nature gives me such inspiration on Economy and Engineering. Look at a flower, how it opens. The proportions, the stalks, the engineering mechanism, how it stands in the wind, etc. The best designs evolved over Eons, How can you beat that! The plus side is that Nature does use total pyshedelic colors, look at some of our bugs! No excuse to avoid colors and enjoy them!

Describe your style?

That’s a hard one. I strive to create elegant designs that definitely have a certain sculptural flair. 

What would be your dream design?

I never really thought about that! I love my craft and designing. When I am designing a project I do often dream about it. To be able to design and make a living with it is really my dream come true. My dream design then would be the one I am working on.

Do you collaborate with other designers?  How does that work?

I collaborate with a lot of other designers, my studio is fully geared to collaboration. We operate fully digitally and work internationally,

Your work is international.  Do you feel attached to any one place?

Well of course, my native country Holland. Otherwise I think I am basically made for travel. I speak many languages and feel at home in many countries. I a deeper sense feel more like a World Citizen.

What project gave you the most satisfaction?

I get the most satisfaction from people experiencing my designs. This can be by sitting on one of my public designs and just viewing the people getting exited or enjoying the design. Most of my private clients end up being friends and to visit their homes is always a delight.  

What is your dream for the future?  

To teach my design methodology to others. I think design/architecture will be able to become much better if we as artists think people first, instead of ego-tripping all the time. For me the Art of Architecture is an Art that creates a better place to be in.  

1981 Portrait by Michael Newberry

1997 Portrait by Andrew Deutch

1999 Portrait by Andrew Deutch

2005 Portrait by Britt Eggrin