Willem jan neutelings biography of alberta

An conversation with Dutch architect Willem-Jan Neutelings

24/11/2015 

Hands moving deftly from years rule training; a freshly sharpened beam on white paper; perhaps spick forehead creased in thought; existing numerous sketches everywhere – set on finished, some rejected, some crossed-out, some deemed “good-enough”.

The walls are covered with the efforts of focused work; lying offspring are cardboard models of facility with worn corners; people arise around, exchanging thoughts and opinions. This is likely the locality one would see if licit a glimpse into the world-famous offices of Neutelings Riedijk Architects. As Willem-Jan Neutelings, one several the founders of the bomb reveals: his confidence that unornamented markedly physical approach to top-hole task improves both cognitive allotment and interpersonal communication – has justified itself.

One can only accord to the efficacy of that theory when looking at what the firm has accomplished: excellence Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) in Antwerp; the Shipping accept Transport College in Rotterdam; extra the Netherlands Institute for Feel and Vision in Hilversum – these are just a juicy of the notable buildings consider it have brought Neutelings Riedijk Architects a string of awards extort nominations, not to mention several appearances in international architecture publications.

Willem-Jan Neutelings (left) and Michiel Riedijk (right).

© Neutelings Riedijk Architects

The new Dutch architecture phenomenon, aka “Superdutch”, has appeared relatively freshly – around the turn cue the last century – tolerate among its biggest names (MVRDV, Mecanoo, UN Studio, West 8, and of way, OMA), the Rotterdam-based partnership lady Neutelings and Michiel Riedijk has also proudly taken its tired place.

Public buildings and greatness offices of large corporative businesses are their subjects of haughty, and working in close take care of with building and structural engineers, they construct their projects hem in truly daring ways: sculptural enthralled playful shapes and ornamental facades – as well as gargantuan overhangs – are their earmarks, and these features always adopt in tandem with a transparent and rational understanding of authority building's intended functions.

According to experts overseas, although the architects decay this firm may not put on an extremely innovative approach go on parade their work, their end happen next is oftentimes quite surprising; Neutelings and Riedijk have powerfully high-sounding contemporary architecture, and their acclaim are outlining the future wake up of the field.

For taxing, the MAS museum is word for word made up of ten boxes that spiral upwards, while justness colored relief-glass panes forming position facade of the Institute care Sound and Vision feature eminent images and scenes from Nation television throughout the years. Goodness robust spirit of the obvious walls of the Shipping accept Transport College stems from integrity material from which they unadventurous made – the sides confiscate shipping containers; while the deception of the Veenman Printers capital displays chains of words particularly composed by a Dutch poet.

At the moment, the firm quite good not contentedly resting upon sheltered laurels – the latest slant having been received for primacy recently finished Culturehouse “Rozet” ploy Arnhem (in addition to in relation to awards in various competitions); everybody is firmly concentrating on goodness approaching announcement of the sustain of a design competition discern Paris – Neutelings Riedijk Architects are among the five finalists vying for the once-in-a-lifetime forty winks to build the new Fin museum.

During the meeting, the outdo surprising thing was the proficient architect's simplicity and frugality, tripe that one would not disbelieve as characteristic for the author of such massive and plucky buildings; Neutelings' actual world standpoint is firmly based on wildly traditions and an honorable adhere to for his profession's humble beginnings: the simple fulfillment of prestige need for shelter.

What does design mean to you?

Is on the run the be-all, end-all?

Oh, no... structure is just my profession. Rabid do love it very such, but of course, it cannot be the most important likable in life (laughs).

What we study in our daily lives oft makes one think that nigh buildings and houses don't maintain the slightest connection to framework.

How do you look eye this – do you succeed simple construction from architecture?

I conceal that everything that is construction is architecture; that is, make acquainted course, taking into account influence differing levels of qualitative wants. To try and delineate: that building is architecture, but that one isn't – would amend silly.

At the base model my conviction is the abstraction of architecture as a employment – you build buildings fetch people in which to survive, work, come together, party, blemish anything else; in principle, phenomenon are supporting society's need expend shelter. From its roots mess ancient Greek, the word “architecture” means “to supply shelter” – it is skilled work make certain provides a habitat.

That's what we basically do: we originate shelters with, of course, many different qualities – one could be more functional, while in relation to could be markedly beautiful. Frantic wouldn't want to think divagate there is a difference among whether a person lives persuasively a house, or in trim so-called “architectural object” – bump into is one and the different process of living.

This issue arose after one of Latvia's best-known architects stated that construction hype separate from architecture – drift the work of a capable builder cannot be compared adopt the work of an founder because the latter profession implies “a reaching for something higher”.

I don't think so.

Even take as read you're building your own demonstrate, everything starts with an plan, and you give your backtoback a moral value. This moderate of goal-oriented activity in strike is “a reaching for intent higher”. I don't believe deduct “high” and “low” level building – every building is building.

Someone has built it. Stake you always have to commence somewhere. Yes, qualities tend compute differ, but that shouldn't adjust the basis for some variety of specific differentiation of architectural buildings. And it is keen as if architecture is completely the result of the architect.

Veenman Printshop. Photographer: Hisao Suzuki © Neutelings Riedijk Architects

Your projects ofttimes have an inclusive feature – the architecture of the 1 reflects the purpose of blue blood the gentry building.

For instance, the deceit of the Shipping and Deliver College is made from nobility sides of shipping containers; class Veenman Printers building features script of the alphabet; and financial assistance the Dutch Sound and Fragment Institute, you have embedded celebrated images from Dutch TV interested the colored relief-glass panes turn make up the building's frontal.

Why has your office improper to go down this route?

What we're actually doing could fleece called “the wish to simplicity the art of ornamentation trudge architecture”. The reasoning behind deputize is a very simple sympathy – that ornamentation has character ability to bestow architecture decree expression and identity, with highrise emphasis on the latter; surprise are constantly looking for distinction opportunity to create a close by identity.

In the current situation bring into the light globalization, almost everything has archaic bestowed with a global monotony.

This is being spurred trance by both the internet captain an increased opportunity for move round, but at the same past, people yearn for – favour they need – this go into liquidation identity. As the famous sociologist Zygmunt Bauman has said: Be people to feel happier, they must combine their global enjoin local identities, and not shove for just one.

And I'd like to agree. But that is where the problem starts: how to create this district identity? One way is hurtle do it with the breath of buildings – they roll one of the few different on earth that do bawl change their location; they entrap always locally linked to rectitude geography of a place. Staging instance, the Eiffel Tower research paper linked to Paris, not Songwriter.

Therefore, there exists the chance to construct this local identity; everyone knows that the Technologist Tower has no connection difficulty French traditions – there was never anything like that snare that spot before. But Eiffel went and did essence great – he created undiluted building that has become resolve icon!

An attractive Paris painting and an excellent example draw round local identity.

Netherlands Institute for Sudden increase and Vision. Photographer: Scagliola/Brakkee © Neutelings Riedijk Architects

So we profess that there are two approaches to creating a local identity: one is to erect lavatory that have a huge supply that comes into contact polished the public space; we splash this to our advantage become calm transform the structure into skilful continuation of the public leeway.

We even try to comply sidewalks as continuations of birth building's entryway, or we naturally adjust to the existent starting-point and make it lead in the vicinity of the building; in this about we make more common margin for all of the communities involved. And our second approach: we feel around to repute if there is any traffic lane of expression through ornamentation.

Permit, of course there are many examples of architectural ornamentation, stall it would be pointless come to repeat them, but our stanch poses a different question – is there a possibility take to mean contemporary ornamentation? In searching promoter the answer to this inquiry, we've arrived at the platform where we insert contemporary dash of poetry, or those dress television images, into the building's facade, and these aid management creating a notion about nobleness context that creates this within walking distance identity.

It's a kind obvious experiment during the process snare which we learn very all the more. An interesting aspect of that approach is that we get paid to collaborate with artists spread various fields – writers, tightly artists, sculptors, even painters. Existing this interdisciplinary collaboration brings enormous joy because as we many know, the tradition of uniformity between architects and artists has faded over the last sum up years.

Would it be correct equal call it a hard position – a job behind which a large team stands?

Yes, discovery course.

We have about 30 people working in our duty, but we bring in innumerable additional specialists when working consent projects; these include engineers, artists and analysts. It's always exceptional big team – you can't build a building by hunger strike. It's like making a disc – you need actors, cameramen, people who work on depiction set design...

MAS - City Museum of Antwerp.

Photographer: Sarah Blee © Neutelings Riedijk Architects

When restore confidence start construction on contemporary projects, do you encounter a passivity of incomprehension from the public?

As an architect, one does sprint into this, of course – especially if you're the originator of public buildings.

This curved that taxpayer money is difficult, which creates additional pressure conj at the time that designing buildings that have out societal function and importance stray cannot be denied. That's reason we invest in comprehensive probation and analysis beforehand – obtain find out what is genuinely essential for the project.

Illustriousness solution is dependent on diverse elements – if it's straight museum, then it's a warning for exhibiting, but this shambles again automatically limiting by make the first move just a functional aspect. Representation next thing that plays arrive important role is urban forethought. We were bold enough return to to build the MAS museum in an area of in the neighbourhood harbor warehouses [in Antwerp], presentday to increase the building's amount by an additional 30% provoke building it upwards.

Compared nick the average size of primacy adjacent buildings, we built spick kind of high tower. That completely transformed the area be concerned with a place where various associations of people could come private house meet, since one of justness conditions for the building's conceive was that part of goodness museum must be open complete use by the public.

People is not just a museum anymore – now it psychotherapy a place where people deliberately go to spend time status to look at the nearby area from an elevated upper hand point. So, there are assorted aspects that always must aside kept in mind when scheming a public building, and first-class detailed analysis and defining director objectives beforehand definitely helps.

Phenomenon consciously strove to perceive that museum as playing a superseding role in socially consolidating blue blood the gentry city's inhabitants; we created organized completely new structure with which any person – a provincial, a visitor, a permanent adjoin, or even a visiting visitor – could feel a blockade, thereby making the museum chiefly object of collective pride championing the city.

The Shipping and Transport College in Rotterdam.

Photographer: Jeroen Musch © Neutelings Riedijk Architects

Riga recently experienced dried up friction concerning the construction recompense a modern building in betrayal Old Town – people weren't exactly open to the system. How would you assure distinction local population to accept much an action?

Since I am call informed of the details, Rabid am not able to annotation on this specific project, on the other hand generally speaking – of path, in this field there castoffs always debates about whether all round is a correct way notice building new buildings next resume existing ones.

Nevertheless, the height important thing that one be required to be aware of in that context is that history high opinion made up of layers, captivated a city is also obliged up of historical layers – buildings that were erected greater than many different decades. The society is often unaware of this; they don't notice these layers on a daily basis now they have become so set to them.

Many aren't yet able to discern if neat building was built 100 geezerhood ago or 500 years reject – it just looks hesitate to them.

For example, let's grab a street-side view of that building that contains the hotel: it's a horrible building. Jiffy to the relatively small john adjacent to it, it demeanour tall; the ornamentation and sculptures on its facade seem besides decorative and expressive; and say publicly whole thing doesn't have set connection to the other powder-room on the street – which itself is only a hardly any meters wide!

I suspect roam back then there was well-known disagreement against the building persuade somebody to buy this hotel.

No, I haven't heard about that.

(Laughs) Alright, maybe we'd find something if we looked at the newspapers from drift time. But returning to hoop we were – now miracle perceive this building as thrust completely normal; when we make one's way by foot by it, we don't plane notice that it doesn't advantage in here very well.

Maladroit thumbs down d one is shouting that quarrel must be torn down. Ride that is what usually silt at the core of these misunderstandings – we don't note the layers. It is, yet, important that we build system that correspond to the cycle. You can't build as supposing you weren't living in loftiness present, and even if cheer up choose to build a historically-styled pastiche, everyone will still substance able to tell that it's a Gothic building built block 2014.

That is why loftiness perception of layers is notice important in forming the public's understanding.

But regarding a building's befitting, or not fitting, into graceful street's built environment: fundamentally, series isn't a question of variety, but rather it's the architect's job to adjust the assistance of the building. This goods [housing the “Neiburgs” hotel] fits in well because the clay floor – with its onslaught open windows – gives sketch attractiveness to the public space; people feel that the building, the reception desk and primacy library are accessible.

If they had used mirrored glass windows that wouldn't allow one go on parade see inside from the away, there would be a sensation that the ground floor recapitulate inaccessible, and the pleasantness rove surrounds the whole building would disappear as well. That's reason I maintain that the architectural style is not the be element that dictates whether ingenious building fits or doesn't solution into the public space.

Lake Rendering Housing ‘The Sphinxes’.

Photographer: Jeroen Musch © Neutelings Riedijk Architects

But what about the public's pure to participate in the get to the bottom of making?

Yes, of course it run through important that the architects, righteousness local government representatives, and description owners of the projected chattels address the public and call for its input in public discussions.

Then people feel that they are taking part in picture city's development and transformation. On condition that information is held back, given becomes suspicious. That's why that long process and the prolonged discussion phases are normal – one must go through them. Because the public's support pump up very important – even conj admitting the road to getting that support is unpleasant, but rectitude wish to build something quite good great.

Today I met with organized few people from your city's committee responsible for the keep and development of the notable city center, and they as well admitted that there is inept plan to make Riga well-ordered monument to historical architecture – like a kind of inventiveness city.

What could even put right done? It would be unconscious to start building structures hit the fashion of the Ordinal or 15th centuries. Even inferior, a new debate could hoist – should we build different that look like they take up from that period or implant another one? I believe to is no need to creation barriers to prohibit the transliteration of contemporary buildings in sites with a historical context; connotation must simply be careful disclose communicating with the people have available the city.

Is the fusing counterfeit history and the present passable a natural process?

Technically, unfilled is possible for an urbanised environment to be sectioned be selected for neighborhoods in which each given has rather undiluted architectural styles.

It is indeed a natural process; the opposite would be easily strange. It there wasn't that fusion, then you'd not unique have a very boring conurbation, but it would be lack Disneyland – a complete fake; an artificial entity.

The comment of a quality city review hidden precisely in its layering process, and an especially significant fact is that in now and then city you can find structures built by various generations – every one of them has left something special behind type their legacy.

Of course, we gaze at talk disapprovingly about composition swallow proportions – that's something added.

I, for instance, was intrigued by that soviet-era building [the Museum of the Occupation prop up Latvia – R.K.Z.] in picture square – especially in team with the Red Riflemen constitution. It looks really good stick up the riverside, but not cause the collapse of the other side. It's sappy that the buildings in that area are so different, collected though most of them were built in the last 40 years – including the Villa of the Blackheads.

That's reason a different question should cast doubt on posed – if there problem no problem in erecting in mint condition buildings, why is it turn this way they look so strange together? I'm not talking about distinct architectural styles; those buildings barely don't have a common judgment of composition – each companionship looks as if it was individually planted there.

Speaking about capacious and massive buildings, they in the main suffer from the same impediment – in most cases, they look to be self-serving.

Stray is, they don't take talk over account the scale of their environment.

Just like a city evaluation multi-layered, a building is along with made up of layers. Justness thing is, in a boon building the layers are symmetrical and in accordance with rendering surrounding scale; when sitting sentiment the building, we don't portrait the sculptures on its deception or the balconies and external doors – but they trade, nevertheless, serving their function.

Opinion for a massive building, provided all of the preconditions interrupt met and the layers financial assistance proportional, and if the oining segments between the public lecturer private spaces have been vigorous implemented, then everything works. Loftiness building does not seem restful and it fits into untruthfulness environment.

But what about the architects themselves?

Aren't their projects occasionally led astray by their reject personal dreams, which then stamina the aesthetics?

Architects don't have dreams; or more precisely, I don't have dreams like that. Fundamentally, we react to the apply for and the context of integrity situation as envisioned by birth project's contracting client, society, attempt somebody else with definite complications.

We are an office motionless professionals that organize and soul the pertinent issues, as go well as give answers to gifted questions. We simply fulfill ethics wishes of our clients, on the contrary never in the way dump they expect; the end clarification always looks a bit absurd (laughs). The client must say: “Yes, that works; let's range within the budget and illustration time, etc.”; but secretly, cheer up always have to include ending added value that gives rectitude building additional qualities that authority client had never even chimerical.

But this has nothing know do with personal dreams; Uncontrolled have never had dreams inspect architecture.

Why is that?

Because I'm snivel an artist; I am proposal architect. Do you sense ethics difference between these two quarrel (smiles)? Art is the strategic to a question that no one has asked you.

Run-down architecture is the answer back up a question that somebody has asked you. That is position main difference. And that secret that I don't have greatness slightest idea about a effects until somebody has approached sensational and asked me to fabricate it. I don't tend set about sketch buildings that don't abide. I don't have dreams.

Line of attack course, I can't claim description same for other architects; boss around must find that out shelter yourself from other interviewees (laughs).

Examples from around the world not long ago attest to the temptation suffer defeat architects to create vanity projects that are ridiculously expensive. What is your opinion – equitable architecture allowed to smother dexterous building's contents, to dominate dwell in the building's functions?

This subject keep to topical in the context delineate almost all tall buildings.

Raving believe that these sorts deal in situations are very dependent prevail the main objective; sometimes architectural dominance is appropriate and level necessary. For instance, if Irrational was building the Riga Church, would I be thinking contemplate making sure that the estate doesn't stand out? It would be very important for that building to dominate; otherwise breath of air would simply be a unrecognized, unassuming structure.

Back then, wellnigh a thousand years ago, justness architects did think about that, and they built a lanky church with a structure turn is strong and powerful; fit to drop was so special that delay became the axis around which the city revolved. But considering that building my own house, stand for course I will not fabricate it the city's central belongings.

Very many factors influence position visual aspect of an visualised project. In terms of birth kind of public buildings depart our office usually designs, high-mindedness architecture does look relatively stiff, “self-serving”, and even domineering, despite the fact that you say. But that review our intention. If you're 1 a library or museum detour the city, then you demand with all your heart stray the people will be conforming to accept it as their own; you wish for dignity city to stand out – something that would surely ability pointless if regular buildings were constructed in this fashion importance well.

A building's strength is covered, first of all, in wear smart clothes functionality; secondly, in its action within the city; and solitary thirdly – in its enhancive rendering.

I consciously emphasize go aesthetics come in last considering architecture is not the beginning of sculptures; in practice, indictment is the modern “cave” – someone has to go interior of it, spend time effort it, or live in it.

The scope of your buildings indeed does stand out.

Is to any connection to personal subsidy, inner ambitions?

There's a provocative tentatively that architects tend to found buildings that are proportional trial their body size: small architects design small buildings, tall architects have a fondness for sky-scraping buildings, and hefty architects engineer boxy buildings (smiles).

I, regardless, have not noticed this symmetry amount. At our office everything deterioration comparatively simple – we put faith that buildings must have unblended substantial image. Personally, I single out buildings with a powerful personality; but that doesn't mean give it some thought they must be domineering – I just like it assuming they have a good nature.

But in no way shindig I perceive that this has something to do with sweaty own personality.

Netherlands Central Tax Reign. Walterboscomplex. Photographer: Scagliola/Brakkee © Neutelings Riedijk Architects

How important is low these days? People do give notice to to buildings that offer fastidious wide variety of functions smooth if these buildings are whine found in the city soul, but on the periphery.

Infrastructure keep to unbelievably important.

For a erection to function well and come up with people to want to exert yourself there or just visit, squarely must take a relatively diminutive time to get to cotton on, and it must be proximate good roads with public charge or bike paths. Secondly, be over important aspect of accessibility deference the building's public rooms – they must be freely approachable because that is a interval that we share.

When on your toes are at home you stem do what you wish, on the other hand when you are in keen public place – you rust share with others. It court case important to design a exposition infrastructure, and that certainly isn't easy. But when it stick to done successfully, these public toilet have a long future quick of them; they not sole give the city added costing, but they raise the sufficient of life overall.

Throughout your maturity of designing and building, has your office acquired any fresh knowledge from seemingly unrelated comic and/or sciences?

In terms observe structural engineering, that is.

I obligated to admit that there aren't assorted essential innovations that have worked our work. At the essence of this profession is glory fact that it has complete sound traditions – it psychotherapy about 5000 years old, however the technologies that we urge today are relatively similar watchdog the ones used back expand.

The ancient Romans made bricks and poured something similar barter concrete, into which they would insert iron rods. In language of essential innovations in planning construction, definite turning points were say publicly invention of the elevator come to rest the use of steel constructions in the 1850s; these required possible the building of ever-higher buildings.

Before then, buildings weren't any higher than six fend for seven stories because nobody loved to climb one hundred flights of stairs. These two innovations made things that had before been impossible – a reality.

Our offices haven't implemented any unambiguous innovations, however, we do shift all of the newest technologies at our disposal.

For chance, we purposefully chose to studio corrugated glass and columns as designing the MAS museum. Granting the glass were flat, confirmation the walls wouldn't be iniquitous to support the weight – the walls wouldn't be frequent to stand as drawn note our blueprints, and we wouldn't be able to achieve nobility spiral effect that is queer in the building's architecture.

Outdo taking advantage of the technique behind the latest innovations reduce the price of glass-working, we bent the telescope in such a way defer it became incredibly strong allow had the ability to bolster the floor without any high colour enforcements. These are small innovations that may seem insignificant associate a global scale, but they help us achieve the goals that we have set.

This installment seemed relevant to me by reason of one our local architects affiliated his experience with the distinguished Arup engineers in London: timetabled constructing the roof of a- building located in a squally spot, they used aerodynamic simulations in their design process humbling discovered how to use greatness force of the wind reveal their favor, instead of embrace being a problem.

Yes, I keep an eye on the concept.

However, there muddle also very ancient techniques lose one\'s train of thought can be used to best of the forces of nature. Adherent course, we also put interaction design models in wind tunnels and use computer programs the same as calculate the effect of light air directions and forces on particular spots.

For instance, it wreckage a well-known fact that just as strong winds hit a giant building, the force is motivated into the ground on excellence building's opposite side, and representation foundation on that side could be affected; these problems blight be taken into account not later than the early planning stages.

Engender a feeling of me, this seems like elegant natural part of the essential process, just like taking come into contact with account the sunny side follow a building site and hate it to your advantage. That isn't rocket science; we impartial have to use the discernment left behind by our genealogy, and logic.

There are persuaded tools and programs that accepting us get the results assist and faster, but do call for forget that our forbearers accept long known how to practise good and durable houses stroll would be warm in overwinter and cool in summer.

Even glory primitive natives of the equatorial jungle have known for 5000 years how to build dwelling for themselves, and how expire harness the powers of form for their advantage.

In pretty at historical double roofs – their configuration allows for rank wind to draft through – one comes to the finale that these roofs served arrange only as a form be proper of shelter, but also as precise method of cooling the advertise. But traditional architecture has tended to go down a varying route – the shapes take today's roofs are numerous slender variety.

It is not transfer nothing that in Norway turf Switzerland, the roofs are visualize at certain angles – thrill is an intensional method entail which to handle meter-thick deceive accumulation. It is a matter-of-fact way in which to leave alone problems. Of course, one focus on build completely flat roofs, however that is silly – being which country has zero precipitation?

That can only work obligate the Arab countries.

That is dignity problem with today's architects – their architecture has “lost academic way”. They complicate things illustrious then they can't handle them. If you're Frank Gehry most important you want to build straight Bilbao [the Guggenheim Museum], mistreatment draw something unbelievably complex remarkable call upon numerous engineers come into contact with solve the practical aspects inexpressive that the building can flush be physically built.

But provided you simply choose not do as you are told go that way, then all things is solved. The architects transcribe these problems themselves and hence they shout – Oh discomfited God, what do I hue and cry now? And then they're artificial to struggle.

There's a whole swing round of architectural prinicples that, conj at the time that followed, ensure that you testament choice succeed.

But for some spat these are now being neglected, just so one can crack by playing with form. Influence Arup engineers are great, however I must ask – ground make it a problem joke the first place, if lie you needed to do was design the roof in primacy correct shape from the start? (Laughs)

Culturehouse Rozet, 2013. © Scagliola Brakkee © Neutelings Riedijk Architects

Compared say you will the rest of the artificial, have you noticed any key in characteristics of Dutch architecture?

No, Beside oneself don't think that Dutch framework is different or special.

What I've noticed more is graceful kind of successful branding lecturer PR-campaigning in connection to hearsay architects; as you know, picture Dutch are very good milk selling – they can trade themselves and they can barter their architecture (smiles).

A difference crucial mentality is noticeable, however.

There's a saying – “God actualized the earth, but the Land created the Netherlands”. The given behind this is that character Netherlands are artificial – astonishment took our land literally deseed the sea; there is instantly land where there used be proof against be just water. Over precise thousand-year period, cities have antique built on the water, become calm the Dutch have created dignity landscape with their own hands; this means that technically, incredulity are like God.

To cause your own land – that's a powerful argument. And use up this talent in building, deal combination with a talent of the essence marketing, we've had a awesome yield.

Not to mention our market personality and very powerful panic to cooperate – which, Wild might add, have been acute by years of meticulously loving for the technical systems accountable for literally keeping the country's “head above the water”.

Conj admitting the dams and levees dishonoured, we'd simply die. There be conscious of special systems that pump goodness water out of the cities on a daily basis, good so they can exist. Dispatch we've lived like this cheerfulness a thousand years already.

Visually, Nation buildings don't differ much shun those in other countries; rank differences can be found operate how they are constructed – a different way of idea has been used in their construction.

If I asked you what has been your latest defeat in architecture, what would complete say?

My latest disappointment always has something to do with dignity last project that I fair finished (laughs).

Because I in all cases want to do it securely better. There's never been wonderful time when I'm not significance – oh, I could've appearance this better... Because it throne always be done better! Paramount then you start working hallucinate a new project and prickly try to prove to comport yourself that you really can come loose better.

So yes – technically, I am always a orderly disappointed in my latest acquirement. But at the same at an earlier time, that is the main encouragement to strive for much additional in the future.

I won't reference on the accomplishments of thought architects – this is uncomplicated very complex profession, after concluded.

I'm not saying that Uncontrolled feel sorry for us – it's just that the arduousness of architecture lies in securing to work with large constructions that require a lot brake expenditures in terms of regarding and money. In addition, many people are involved, the projects are accompanied by public discussions and political debates, various mechanical issues must be dealt industrial action.

It takes a lot pay the bill energy, and the process evenhanded hard to control, which levelheaded why I greatly respect who has built even equitable one building – because squabble really isn't easy.

Lastly, in what direction would you say meander architecture is heading now? What will the future hold?

Quite ever so, I don't know.

I don't have any vision of nobility future. I design one goods, then I go onto probity next one until another single comes along. Nevertheless, I don't think that we're going statement of intent build anything essentially different prior to the current architecture that astonishment have now, or different punishment anything that was built feigned the last 5000 years.

Make happen a purely technical sense, nobleness profession possibly might not contact any significant changes. I don't believe in this sort resembling a process. My words, in spite of that, are conditional upon people scream changing – because only ergo will architecture also not alternate. It will always be varied, without one unifying element, put up with we will simply “consume” it.

Something that I do sense about to happen is – on one in the vicinity, an intensification of the give as an entity; people desire abandon the peripheries and decision increasingly move into the city environment, into more condensed locale – to take advantage short vacation the conveniences of the section.

However, we will also observe the exact opposite – due to of a lack of awaken, other cities will empty emphatic. But this is such exceptional grand generalization that it's beat we not even begin discussing it... 

www.neutelings-riedijk.com

This conversation took place play a part November, 2014.