10 YEARS PDZ
Including everyone
>> houses and data? And will we be able to include everyone or will there be a strong division?’
WE ARE PRAGMATIC IDEALISTS, NOT ACTIVISTS Pakhuis de Zwijger wants to keep playing an important and even leading role in dealing with these issues. Without taking sides. ‘We are pragmatic idealists, not activists’, Fransen says. ‘We want to include everyone: corporates as well as municipalities, insurance companies, politicians, citizens, students, designers, creatives and scientists. And people must feel they can speak out freely, which makes for interesting discussions.’
© Kim Hagenaars
At PdZ Portfolio Night, young creatives have the possibility to show their portfolio to professionals, 2012
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Both partners love the vibe in the building, which can be incredible, according to Fransen. ‘The other night, we had a full house. A Tegenlicht MeetUp about robotics with 350 people in the audience. 140 people in another room talking about healthy ageing, 80 in the Studio discussing newcomers and affordable housing. And there was also a private event going on, organised by a law firm. At the square in front of the building, people who attended events during the day were having a drink, while in the restaurant people were getting food before the start of an evening programme. The place was bursting with a great diversity of people, without any dominant groups. At these moments we are extremely proud.’ >>