Future builders
Inspiring, challenging, learning from each other ... That is what Vandersanden does together with various future builders every day. Visionaries share their compelling ideas with us. They describe how they shape our homes and living environment and how they improve the quality of life.
Together we make greatness
Together with them, we look ahead and think about future construction, and especially: how we can shape and give substance to houses, offices, buildings, but also our society and our quality of life. Because you make the best together. Curious about the future dreams of our future builders?
Read their stories
Peter Köster
Despite the rush to generate more housing, and despite increasing mobility and the aversion of investors to change, Köster expects that the contribution of residents to their living environment will continue to grow, and the way to successfully give voice to their involvement is: communication.
Joost Callens - Project developer - Durabrik
Two terms that are pre-eminently about human action. ‘Figures are important, of course, but focusing on personal development and group dynamics will lead to an improvement in results.’
Daaf Ledeboer - Urban historian and designer of public spaces
There is no future without the past, says urban historian Daaf Ledeboer. People who are involved in the process of shaping the built environment must have historical awareness: ‘I always try to think in terms of long lines in order to give identity and authenticity to the here and now from the past. Identity is about knowing where you are in time and in space.’
Merijn De Jong and Jeroen Atteveld - Architects - Heren 5
The architects of Heren 5 from Amsterdam don’t see themselves as playing the classic supervisory role in the building design process. They like to use the metaphor of deftly zigzagging flocks of birds that, seemingly without a leader, nevertheless unerringly find their way. Most of all, they enjoy playing the role of ‘invisible conductor’.
André Snippe - Project developer - Snippe Projects
To get something off the ground when everyone else sees only potential difficulties, you need to possess a combination of courage and entrepreneurship. André Snippe has both, as well as a sense of what consumers consider important: ‘Quality takes precedence over everything. The key question in everything we build is: would I like to live here myself?’
Dana Ponec and Katja De Winter - Spatial designers - Ponec de Winter
Ponec de Winter aims to create living environments that can transform over time. The spatial designers are always looking to ensure users really enjoy a space. ‘We facilitate a pleasant way of living.’
Nico Wissing and Lodewijk Hoekstra - Founders NL Greenlabel
For years, Nico Wissing and Lodewijk Hoekstra have been pounding ‘the green drum’, as they call it. With their NL Greenlabel, these pioneers in sustainable design have provided a quantifiable reference point in the field of sustainability, sending out the message that everyone building in the living environment should be held accountable for adding or extracting value.
Ulli Rohn and Erik Oppel - Founders/partners ROBEO
Claim: our cities are becoming crowded as rural populations are in decline. People move to the city where to find work, study, and benefit from the sports clubs, childcare, amenities, and anything else you might need. It is a form of unbalanced growth that can seriously disrupt the socio-cultural balance in a society. It's high time to do something about it.
Benjamin Denef - Architect DMOA
‘In our search for the perfect solution, we leave no stone unturned’, is how Benjamin Denef explains his drive to always achieve the best possible results. In doing so, he not only challenges himself but also manages to get clients, contractors, and researchers on board. And, guess what? ‘His headstrong perseverance works.’
Egide Meertens - Architect Egide Meertens Plus Architecten
An architect is designer and advisor, discussion partner and facilitator. They play a crucial role in the arena of the built environment. ‘Sometimes you need to be very stubborn,’ says Egide Meertens, ‘but if you also show a little flexibility, you get more done. Other people's visions and practical obstacles are the mainstays that I build on.'
Lars Kölln - founder/partner CORE Architecture
The world is digitising at a rapid pace, yet the building sector is lagging behind. But not architect Lars Kölln, who has been working with BIM (Building Information Modelling) for the past ten years. He has absolutely no doubt: 'Our future way of life will revolve entirely around data.'