Selected works 2025 | Portfolio | Demi van Wees
Hey, hallo! My name is
Demi van Wees
My passion for architecture began at a young age. When I was 7 years old, I built my first models, and in sixth grade, I gave my dream job presentation about becoming an architect. Now, I am an enthusiastic and driven young woman with a strong focus on creativity and precision. I embrace every challenge and work out every project down to the smallest details. My adventurous nature (from bungee jumping to skydiving) gives me a fresh perspective and boldness in my designs. However, I also enjoy seeking tranquility, whether on a walk or with a good book.
Curious about my work?
Phone +31644709103
Email demiwees@gmail.com
Residence Bakkum
LindIn @Demiwees
Experience
Dok Architecten
Internship Architectural Designer 2023 - 2024
Desigend by Demi
Independent / Owner
Interior designer en 3D illustrator 2021 - current
Mooij Designs
Internship Interior design - Interior Designer 2021 - 2022
Alberth Heijn - Deen
Senior Baker
Company Emergency Response & Sociale Hygiëne
2019 - current
Z-as Maquettebouw
Internship Model Building 2020
EBA party product
Warehouse Employee and Website Employee 2013 - 2018
Education
Hogeschool van Amsterdam
Built Environment (Architectuur)
Not yet known. 2025
Hout en Meubelcollege Amsterdam
Intrerior Design (accelerated trajectory)
Cum Laude
2020
Clusius College Castricum
VMBO - Basisberoepsgerichte leerweg | Groen
Cum Laude
2017
Software
ArchiCad
Revit
AutoCad
Vectorwork
Sketchup
Luminon
Twinmotion
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Indesign
Adobe Illustrator
Mixed Use Oosterburg
Organization : Hogeschool van Amsterdam
Collaboration : Individual
Design stage : Sketch design - Preliminary design
I have completed an integrated design for a medium-sized residential building with horeca (hospitality) and retail space on the ground floor. Key themes in this project were circular versus linear architecture and creating an adaptive building. The design includes a mix of social and mid-range housing units of 25 m², 50 m², and 75 m². I chose to create a building that is both vertically and horizontally adaptive, with a focus on sustainability. Furthermore, I felt it was important to connect residents from different age groups. I achieved this by designing a collective green indoor space.
Hoogte kadijk een theater voor verbinding
Organization : Hogeschool van Amsterdam
Collaboration : Individual
Design stage : Sketch design - Preliminary design
Giving space to language, music, and encounters. This music theater in Amsterdam has been designed with inclusivity and accessibility as its core principles. The design strikes a balance between openness and intimacy, inspired by the metaphor of the “JACKET”: a façade that protects, connects, and reveals. Within the theater, connection is at the heart of the design:
Visibility: Focus on optimal sightlines and materials that support sign language through contrast in light and texture.
Accessibility: Wide stairs and ramps are incorporated where possible to ensure a safe and welcoming experience for all.
Organization : Hogeschool van Amsterdam
Collaboration : Tom Niesink, Nazmiye Arslan, Eline van Driel, Martijn Strik en Isidora Vásquez Ponce
Design stage : Technical design
During this project, I worked individually on researching the steel quarter beam used in the cantilever of this villa. The challenge was to maintain the overall design’s elegance and lightness while meeting the structural and architectural requirements. Two of the renders shown were not created by me but illustrate the aesthetic principles I applied to achieve this. Additionally, I had discussions with structural engineer “Jeroen van de Bovenkamp” and various architects to reach the final result.
Optopping Herengracht 101 Amsterdam
Organization : Hogeschool van Amsterdam
Collaboration : Individual
Design stage : Schematic design
For this project, we had to individually design an additional floor for a monumental canal house. We determined the value assessment and researched the building’s physical performance. In my design, I chose not to seek polarity but to engage in a dialogue with the existing building.
Eemvallei
Organization : Hogeschool van Amsterdam
Collaboration : Milad Rezaie, Kars Conijn, Ashanti Jonathas en Yusuf Kaan Alici
Design stage : Urban planning vision
During this project, we as a group created a vision document for Project Area 2C in Eemvallei. For this document, I conducted individual research on biodiversity and how we can strengthen the connection with nature in architecture and urban development. My focus was on ways to make humans, nature, and animals live not next to each other, but with each other. The images displayed here were created after completing my research.
Middelzee
Organization : Dok Architecten
Collaboration : Internship
Design stage : Schematic design
During my internship, I had the opportunity to briefly contribute to the sketch design/ preliminary design for Middelzee. The concept of the terraced houses was already established, but I focused mainly on the internal area (gardens, parking spaces, and walking paths) and the variations in the terraced houses. Each house had to be uniquely recognizable.
Veghel
Organization : Dok Architecten
Collaboration : Internship
Design stage : Concept design
For the center of Veghel, during my internship, I assisted with creating the model. Additionally, I studied the building where two supermarkets, residential units, and a parking garage would be clustered. The images above show my height and shape study in relation to the large tower that would be constructed by another firm in the area.
Holendrecht
Organization : Z-as Maquettebouw
Collaboration : Internship
Design stage : Model making
During my internship at Studio Z-as, I had the opportunity to work on many beautiful models. For the project mentioned above, I prepared drawings for the laser cutter in AutoCAD and assembled the buildings and part of the site: Community Campus Amsterdam Holendrecht.
Green Gym
Organization : Hogeschool van Amsterdam
Collaboration : Florentien Kruiderink
Design stage : Schematic design
This project concerns the integrated design assignment for a nature-inclusive sports facility on the former Marineterrein in Amsterdam. Our design is based on the concept of a green ring, which is visible from every corner of the public space. Between the façade and the decorative edge, plants grow, providing shelter for animals. During this project, I conducted research on nature-inclusive façades and the creation of a walking route through this complex. The images and sketches shown here were created by me.
At the end of 2022, I completed a basic photography course at Sunfield Academy, and since then, it has become one of my major hobbies. I primarily photograph animals or focus on street photography.
In May 2021, I started my own business as an interior Designer (after completing my studies in Interior Design), and since then, I have had the opportunity to work on many exciting projects, both under my own name and under the names of other interior Design business, including Styling Heroes and Mooij Designs. The renders above were generated by me.
My inspiration
A few years ago, I discovered the work of Kengo Kuma, an architect who elegantly blends traditional Japanese building techniques with modern innovation. What inspires me most is his approach to keeping architecture grounded, both literally and figuratively. His designs exude a deep connection with nature and have a tangible, almost instinctive quality. This motivates me to not only focus on sustainability and functionality in my own work, but also to create a natural connection with the surrounding space.
During my studies, I researched Frank Lloyd Wright, particularly his designs for the Larkin Building and the Johnson Wax Workspaces. His vision of workspaces that promote the well-being of the user inspires me to not only focus on functionality in my own work but also on the experience of the user.
Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town. The building is rugged and bold, full of texture. It is imperfect in some ways, and in those imperfections, it shows character, in my opinion. This is one of the buildings that has fascinated me with the concepts of repurposing and restoring.
A few years ago, I watched the Objective episode with Neri Oxman, an architect with a background in medicine and, at the time, a professor at MIT. Her vision of design as a fusion of nature and technology deeply inspired me. Her way of thinking encourages me to look beyond conventional methods and seek innovative and sustainable solutions. It motivates me to create designs that not only impact the user but also the world around us.