Studioninedots is an Amsterdam-based practice for architecture and urban design. We create spaces that spark a sense of wonder. Whether we make a house, a public building or an urban concept, every design has its unexpected quality. Because we see spaces that stir a feeling as an essential human need. Spaces that are thoughtfully designed, yet where something can emerge that you couldn’t predict upfront.
To us, disruption is the counterpart of innovation. So, in a playful way, we challenge the existing elements and boundaries of architectural convention. Embracing the experiment helps us create new types of places, that provoke a wider interpretation of their use.
The identities and needs of the people who will occupy a space are the foundation of our design approach. This way, we form new places that have a positive impact on everyday life. We excel in projects that (re)activate and transform complex urban locations. The ever-evolving context increasingly calls for unconventional solutions, which lead to more collective and circular ways of living. By distilling the issue, we discover the project’s essence and translate it into exceptional architecture. From an awareness of context, clear interventions and a love of detail and craft, our quest is to conceive spaces of inherent beauty.
The nine lines that define our practice
We…
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…create unconventional spaces
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…see spaces that stir a feeling as an essential human need
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…believe spatial quality vitalises interaction
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…embrace spontaneity and the experiment
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…inspire our work by exploring territories beyond architecture
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…adopt a collaborative approach that challenges and strengthens our work
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…identify circularity as an opportunity
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…see craftsmanship and simplicity as two sides of the same coin
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…stay ahead of habit by turning things inside out and upside down
Established as a collective in 2011, Studioninedots consists of 25 people today. The practice is led by founders Albert Herder, Vincent van der Klei and Metin van Zijl, and associates Ike Gronheid, Jurjen van der Horst, Stijn de Jongh and Wouter Hermanns.
On a daily basis, we experience how exploring territories beyond traditional architecture reinforces our work. And we feel most at home in places that are either lived in or somewhat ‘unfinished’. Our Amsterdam home base Karper K. is raw, indeterminate and open — making it the ideal catalyst for creativity and spontaneity, whether we are testing new materials, setting up an installation or throwing a party. By turning things inside out and upside down, we stay ahead of habit.