Discover Benelux | Top Architects in the Netherlands | Creating Quality of Life
Villa Vals [CH]
Cleaner and more efficient building TEXT: THESSA LAGEMAN | PHOTOS: SEARCH, IWAN BAAN AND MOTORCITY KATE
SeARCH is a leading architecture and urban design firm based in Amsterdam. It creates architecture that strengthens the surrounding landscape, rather than dominating or ignoring it. Through the exploration into the relationship between architecture and site, SeARCH promotes a high degree of sustainability and environmental awareness within their projects. “So much is possible these days.” SeARCH was founded in 2002 by Bjarne Mastenbroek. Together with an interna-
tional staff of around 20 architects and professionals, he works on projects around the world. “Our buildings look rather diverse because we always try to create comfortable buildings that are a good supplement to the surrounding,” says Mastenbroek. “Every project enhances quality of life.” As Dutch architects, they are aware of the scarcity of land and believe strongly in using this resource intelligently. SeARCH believes in collaboration; with clients, users, and specialists. This sets the stage to
Hotel Jakarta, Amsterdam
Hotel Jakarta, Amsterdam
14 | Issue 43 | July 2017
create innovative, original and unexpected design solutions.
30-metre-high wooden hotel “The building industry is often polluting,” the firm’s founder continues. “With our architecture, we try to do it differently. We create cleaner and more efficient buildings.” As an example, he mentions Hotel Jakarta, which is being built mostly using wood on an island in Amsterdam and is scheduled to open early 2018. “It creates a very special atmosphere. The acoustics, smells... everything feels different.”