Hans van Heeswijk Architects

Hans van Heeswijk is founding director and principal of Hans van Heeswijk Architects in Amsterdam.

Van Heeswijk can boast of extensive experience in a wide field of work with his office. Active since 1985, he has designed many public buildings, offices, schools, housing schemes and bridges. Hans van Heeswijk Architects recently completed the prestigious commission to transform the Amstelhof nursing home into the museum Hermitage Amsterdam. Current projects under construction include Lansingerland Town Hall (near Rotterdam) and the Piet Hein office Buildings on Piet Heinkade in Amsterdam. Completion of the underground extension to the Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery in The Hague is scheduled for 2014. The architecture of Hans van Heeswijk Architects is characterized by analyzing complex commissions to organize order and clear things up. To create logic that wasn't there before and wants to be realized. The broad field of work provides clients, users and designers the variety and surprise that keeps building together exciting. All over again, at every occasion.

The office has won many awards in different fields. Among others The Dutch Building Award 2011 for Hermitage Amsterdam and The Dutch Building Award 2003 for the Zuid-Willemsvaart Bridge in Veghel. The Dutch Concrete Award 1999, 2001 and 2003 for bridges in Huizen, Dongen and Veghel. And Best Library of Noord-Holland in 1999 for the Public Library that was designed together with the new Town Hall of Heerhugowaard.

Further to running the practice Van Heeswijk always holds many additional functions as a jury chairman and jury member, member of the commission of welfare and monuments in Amsterdam and teaching Architecture at the Academy of Architecture in Amsterdam. Currently Hans van Heeswijk is an active board member of the Royal Institute of Dutch Architects (BNA) since 2006.

In a press release a client introduced us recently, saying: With Hans van Heeswijk we have selected an architect with a good eye for detail and with an efficient office behind him. Proud as we are of those words, they oblige us to do our utmost to ensure that the next client says the same. This one did when all was done: the project was completed within planning and budget. For this we can rely on solid experience in a wide range of work since starting in 1985 as an independent office. In collaboration with enthusiastic clients we have accomplished a wide variety of designs, ranging from in the fields of public buildings, offices, residential projects, bridges, interiors and product development.

Our answer to the brief is most of all: clarity. Public buildings and offices where staffs work with pleasure and visitors instantly know their way. Houses that make people feel at home. Viaducts that provide school kids a safe and comfortable bike ride. Buildings that generously absorb light during the day and illuminate their environment like shining beacons at night.
Above all, architecture should be light.