Ana Araujo leads the Façades team of Buro Happold, based in London.

With 17 years of international experience, including all stages of a building life-cycle, Ana focused her expertise in façade diagnostic, due diligence and refurbishment from Georgian listed buildings to new-build façades. This included many reference and award-wining projects in London such as the Whiteley (Foster and Partners / Laing O’Rourke), 22 Bishopsgate (PLP / Multiplex) and Tottenham Experience (Populous / Mace).

Anke Rollenhagen is Associate Director at Buro Happold and leads the façade engineering team in Germany.

She studied civil engineering in Karlsruhe and completed a Master’s degree in Façade Engineering at the University of Bath. After many years in the UK, including at Sir Robert McAlpine, she returned to Germany in 2016. Anke advises clients and architects on the planning and delivery of complex building envelopes. Her expertise spans project management, technical design and execution, with a strong focus on sustainable, high-performance façades.

Arnoud Herder is a Project Manager at CIG Architecture in Groningen, the Netherlands, specializing in computational design and manufacturing for complex architectural metal projects. With a background in architectural engineering at TU Delft, he combines geometrical expertise with a pragmatic, solution-driven approach to deliver ambitious projects

He leads multidisciplinary teams and coordinates between architects, engineers, and fabrication partners. Working on projects by architectural firms such as Gehry Partners, Snøhetta, and MAD Architects. His work focuses on translating complex freeform designs into buildable systems through custom scripting, digital workflows, and close coordination with fabrication teams.

He recently contributed to the Fenix Museum in Rotterdam and is currently involved with a stainless steel canopy for Le Schuylkill in Monaco by Zaha Hadid Architects.

Bart Mispelblom Beyer is co-founder and CEO of TANGRAM, an Amsterdam-based practice renowned for high-density, mixed-use architecture and sustainable urban design. Since its founding in 1990, TANGRAM has realized landmark projects such as Rhapsody in West and Crystal Court in Amsterdam, Cité and OurDomain in Rotterdam, and innovative healthcare housing concepts, including new models for dementia care. A hallmark of the firm is the deep integration of greenery as a structural element in, on, and around buildings.

Beyond practice, TANGRAM engages in research and debate on the future of the built environment. Studies and exhibitions such as MA-SSA (meaningful void), BALANS (dimensions of sustainability), and The City of the Future (the adaptive city) reflect this ongoing inquiry. In 2024, TANGRAM launched the traveling exhibition Of Immeasurable Importance – Artificial Intelligence and the Soft Values of Architecture, shown across the Netherlands.

Bart regularly lectures at universities and professional forums worldwide. He has been Visiting Professor of Architecture at Roger Williams University (RI, USA) and guest lecturer at the University of the District of Columbia. In the Netherlands, he collaborates closely with TU Delft on urban futures. His philosophy combines contextual awareness, social feasibility, and natural harmony to shape cities that are resilient, humane, and inspiring.

Do Janne Vermeulen is an architect-director and co-founder of Team V Architecture. Together with Jeroen van Schooten, Frank Bouwman and Irène Horvers, she leads the firm’s creative direction. Her work supports regional carbon policy targets and includes two of the tallest and most ambitious hybrid timber structures in the world: HAUT, a 22-story residential building, and the award-winning timber-hybrid office for media company DPG Media. Her portfolio spans residential, culture, office, education and large-scale urban projects.

In addition to her work as an architect, Do Janne has served as a jury member or chair for several architecture awards, including the Nederlandse Bouwprijs, the BNA Next Step Program, the local jury of the RIBA International Prize, and the Gouden Piramide.

She regularly gives lectures in the Netherlands and abroad. Do Janne has taught at the Bartlett School of Architecture and was Architect in Residence at Arcam, the Architecture Centre of Amsterdam. She also served as Chair of the Spatial Quality Committee III for the Municipality of Amsterdam and is a member of the Inspirational Board of Architectuurcentrum Aorta in Utrecht. Most recently, Do Janne has joined the Supervisory Board of Kunstinstituut Melly in Rotterdam.

Erwin is a structural designer with an integral mindset and passion for glass.

With his creativity, significant technical knowledge and experience in complex glazed structures, he has worked on some of the most cutting edge glass designs in Europe, Mid-East and Asia, like the Dubai Eye and Crystal Houses Amsterdam (MVRDV’s ‘Chanel store’)

His motivation is innovation and giving meaning to beauty. In the current era, innovation mainly means using our materials sustainably for the next 50 years, and beauty has impact on well-being of humans.

Erwin works at ABT, is ambassador for the innovation company Quake, is Visiting Lecturer for the Universities of Delft and Darmstadt and he serves on the Dutch standards committee for glass. Many students graduated on Master Thesis topics that came from him. 

Director and Architect Gideon Maasland (NL) joined MVRDV in 2016. With extensive experience acquired over a 15-year career at several high profile Dutch offices, Maasland leads MVRDV’s Studio 8, which is responsible for large-scale, complex buildings. Renowned for his detailed and dedicated approach (which is due to his diverse educational and professional background that not only includes extensive architectural practice, but also carpentry and construction methodology), Maasland’s work is hands-on. This proved invaluable to the success of his studio in the design and construction of multiple complex, large-scale projects, which meet design expectations in the completed building, and in consistently managed processes. To ensure the highest quality, Maasland is often on the construction site directly overseeing building processes.

He leads all projects in his studio under development and construction, including the Valley, a 75,000m2 mixed-use building in Amsterdam, as well as the construction of a 61,800m2 residential tower project in The Hague, and the transformation of Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, a trade fair of 170,000m2. In addition, Maasland is working on various projects in Eindhoven, Poland, and the UK. Other exceptional projects include The Crystal Houses in Amsterdam, Shenzhen Terraces in China, and competition designs for Schiphol’s Terminal A and the Theater aan de Parade in Den Bosch.

Jeroen Boersma holds a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and has broad expertise in technology and regulatory frameworks. From the start of his career, he has been active in various roles within the façade industry, ranging from product specialist to technical manager at a certification body.

As Senior Product Specialist at Kawneer, Jeroen plays a key role: he is the chairman of the Technical Committee of the Community of Aluminium System Houses within the industry association for manufacturers and installers of metal windows, doors and façade systems.He is also a member of the Expert Committee for Metal Façade Elements for the KOMO assessment guidelines.

From these positions, he is a valued sparring partner in the field of sustainability, closely following the latest developments, standards and policy plans in this domain.

Within Kawneer, Jeroen is regarded as the sustainability expert, combining his technical knowledge with a strong vision on circular construction and future‑proof solutions.

Joep Hövels is a façade consultant and co-founder of Frontwise Facades. He has a broad experience in façade engineering across various markets: in the Netherlands he is active as a façade consultant for Frontwise Facades, and in London, Hong Kong, and Berlin he worked for Arup. His passion for façade engineering originated during his studies in Building Technology at TU Delft. While studying different buildings, he noticed a significant difference between well- and poorly-detailed façades. According to Joep, façade engineering can make or break the architectural design of a building—it ultimately comes down to the details.

Joep has worked with internationally renowned architectural firms on various complex and high-rise projects in cities including Berlin, Cologne, Vienna, Hong Kong, Beijing, Tianjin, London, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam. In these projects, he has been active in all phases of the design and construction process, including developing detail drawings, performing thermal calculations, reviewing construction drawings, and inspecting production facilities, mock-ups, and construction sites.

Leonie is co-owner of Frontwise Facades. As a façade consultant, she has a passion for technical design. In her work, she combines architecture, structural design, and building physics throughout the various design and construction phases by applying an integrated approach to the building envelope.

She was educated in architecture and building technology at Delft University of Technology, specializing in façade engineering. Her strong interest in production techniques developed during both her internship with a façade contractor and her experience with a façade supplier.

During her time at Arup, she was based in New York City and later in Amsterdam, where she further specialized in façade engineering, building physics, and sustainability.

Leonie has broad experience in complex projects worldwide throughout all design phases, from concept design to project completion.

Marc de Winter is Façade Consultant at Deerns Nederland, where he plays a key role in integrating façade engineering with building physics and sustainability. Known for his strategic approach and cross disciplinary collaboration, he delivers high-performance façade solutions that balance architectural ambition with technical precision. ‑disciplinary collaboration, he delivers high‑performance façade solutions that balance architectural ambition with technical precision.

With extensive experience as a façade consultant, Marc de Winter has contributed to complex international projects involving solar integrated façades, adaptive shading systems, and innovative envelope technologies, drawing on a background spanning manufacturing leadership, technical consultancy, and entrepreneurship. His work is featured in Deerns’ expanding façade engineering initiatives across Europe. ‑integrated façades, adaptive shading systems, and innovative envelope technologies, drawing on a background spanning manufacturing leadership, technical consultancy, and entrepreneurship. His work is featured in Deerns’ expanding façade engineering initiatives across Europe.

Mattijs van Ruijven is the head urban designer for the city of Rotterdam. With a large team of designers he works on the development of Rotterdam as a whole as well as on many specific development projects. For the biggest area developments he acts as supervisor.

He also actively stimulates working and designing accross domains within the municipality such as the social domain, healthcare, sustainability and climate adaptation. As a frontrunner for the municipality he stays in close contact with the design community in Rotterdam, as well as with developers, investors, housing corporations active in the city and with different organisations stimulating debate or knowledge (such as universities).

Michiel Riedijk (1964) graduated with a Master in Architecture in 1989 at the Technical University in Delft, the Netherlands. He established the Rotterdam based office Neutelings Riedijk Architects with Willem Jan Neutelings shortly afterwards. Michiel Riedijk is recognized as International Fellow of the RIBA.

Over the past thirty years, Neutelings Riedijk Architects has established itself as a leading practice specializing in the design and realization of complex projects for public, commercial, and cultural buildings. Some exemplar works are the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, Gare Maritime in Brussels, MAS Museum in Antwerp, the Institute for Sound and Vision in Hilversum, and Cultural Center ‘Rozet’ in Arnhem. Currently the office is working on several projects such as the Amsterdam Museum, the Heldentoren in Knokke and the transformation of the Proximus Towers in Brussels.

Michiel Riedijk regularly lectures at universities, cultural institutions and symposiums worldwide. The work of Neutelings Riedijk Architects has received worldwide appreciation through numerous publications, international awards and exhibitions around the world.

Remco Baartmans is the CEO of Alumet, a leading specialist in anodizing and innovative surface treatments for aluminum. Under his leadership, Alumet has grown into a company recognized internationally for its craftsmanship, technological expertise, and dedication to quality. With a strong focus on innovation, Remco has expanded Alumet’s capabilities from traditional anodizing to advanced solutions that inspire architects, designers, and builders around the world.

Guided by a clear vision for the future of aluminum in architecture, he emphasizes sustainability, durability, and aesthetics as central values in every project. Remco works closely with clients and partners to ensure that Alumet’s finishes not only meet the highest technical standards but also open new creative possibilities. His leadership has helped the company contribute to iconic projects across Europe and beyond, where anodized aluminum plays a defining role in modern façades and interiors.

Passionate about collaboration and knowledge sharing, Remco continues to drive Alumet forward as a trusted partner for architects and industry professionals seeking innovation, reliability, and long-term impact in their designs.

Ron Bakker is a co-founder of PLP Architecture and leads PLP Labs, the studio’s in-house research and innovation arm. His experience reaches far and wide, with projects across the UK, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Through his work and outreach, Ron brings an optimism of the power that architecture and innovation have on making a positive impact on the planet. Throughout his career, Ron’s buildings have paved the way for more sustainable, healthy and social development. The Edge, in Amsterdam, was the most sustainable building in the world and dubbed the smartest too. His explorations, with research partners, into timber towers pushed the discussion forwards on how we can design environmentally positive cities.

Ron regularly engages in the wider discussion around these issues as both a speaker and an author. His 2020 book ‘Smart Buildings’ explored how technology and human-centric design can come together to create spaces that are truly enriching for both people and the planet.

Rouven Nieuwenburg is the Sector Director Real Estate at Deerns Nederland, leading the global development of high-performance, sustainable, and futureproof buildings. With more than 25 years of experience in high-end building services engineering, advisory, and complex project delivery, he is recognized for transforming client ambitions into successful, resilient real-estate solutions. ‑performance, sustainable, and future‑proof buildings. With more than 25 years of experience in high‑end building services engineering, advisory, and complex project delivery, he is ‑estate solutions.

Throughout his career, Rouven Nieuwenburg has held senior technical and leadership roles, including Technical Director for the Netherlands, where he built a strong international network of renowned clients, architects, and partners. His expertise spans engineering design, sustainability, HVAC, project management, and large‑scale multidisciplinary coordination.

Known for his strategic insight and collaborative leadership style, he now drives Deerns’ global real estate ambitions by accelerating innovation, guiding sector growth, and championing integrated design approaches that address both today’s demands and tomorrow’s challenges. ‑estate ambitions by accelerating innovation, guiding sector growth, and championing integrated design approaches that address both today’s demands and tomorrow’s challenges.

As head of MVRDV NEXT, Sanne van der Burgh leads MVRDV’s research and development and climate teams, driven by her passions for sustainability, new technology, and innovation. A dedicated advocate for environmental awareness and the fight against climate change in architecture, urbanism, and our daily lives, Sanne believes in the capacity of design to inspire and have a positive impact on people and their surroundings.

Sanne’s fascination for computational workflows and methodologies led her to create MVRDV NEXT, an in-house research and development group that focuses on the creation and implementation of cutting-edge technologies in MVRDV’s projects. The involvement of MVRDV NEXT has made complex projects such as the complex façade of Valley possible. Currently, MVRDV NEXT focuses on the development of visionary tools that help cities become more dense, more green, and more resilient.

MVRDV’s Climate Team became part of MVRDV NEXT in 2022, reflecting a goal to make MVRDV’s sustainability strategy more innovative and data-informed. With the climate team, Sanne works to reduce the impact of the built environment on our planet through research, developing software such as CarbonSpace, and collaborates with architects and urbanists both inside and outside MVRDV to reduce the CO2 emissions caused by design and construction.

In addition to her role in MVRDV NEXT, Sanne played an integral role in high-profile MVRDV projects including the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, a visionary project for revitalising New Delhi’s sanitation and infrastructure known as Barapullah Springs, and Peruri 88, a 400-metre-tall mixed-use tower for Jakarta. Sanne is a versatile architect with demonstrated design achievements. In 2019, Architizer named her as one of 25 young architects to watch, and in 2021, she was the winner of the Female Frontier Awards, organised by World Architecture News, winning the category “Innovation in Architecture”.

Tim Brans is a founder of NUDUS, an architecture and urban planning studio based in Rotterdam. As an architect and urban planner, he integrates various scales of design, prioritising user experience and responsible engagement with both people and nature. His forward-thinking designs are characterised by a strong emphasis on innovative material applications. Tim’s enthusiastic approach connects end-users, clients, collaborative partners, contractors, and other stakeholders, facilitating the realisation of pioneering architectural projects.

Under Tim’s leadership, the team is engaged in the large-scale renovation and transformation of the Palace of Justice in The Hague. This project is ambitious in its goals to reduce CO2 emissions and incorporate circular material applications, while focusing on health, functionality, and flexibility for users. Additionally, he is responsible for the design of the new Matrix Innovation Centre at the Zuidas, a laboratory building dedicated to med-tech and life sciences; the three new educational buildings and urban plan for Fontys University of Applied Sciences in Eindhoven; and the ‘factory of the future’: the Brainport Industries Campus cluster 2 in Eindhoven.

Tim studied architecture and urban planning at the Eindhoven University of Technology and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, graduating with honours in both disciplines. Prior to his role as a partner at NUDUS, he worked as an associate architect at Barcode Architects (2012-2023), where he was the project architect for the iconic residential tower The Muse and the adjacent triangular tower CasaNova, which together form an ensemble in Rotterdam’s Wijnhaven district.

Willem van Genugten is an architect (TU Delft and University of Illinois Chicago) and has been active as a Sustainable Business Developer at GROUP A since 2022. He is the initiator of GROUP A's think tank CARBONLAB, in which he uses his expertise in CO2 reduction in the built environment. By actively connecting research and knowledge networks to ongoing projects, he contributes to accelerating the transition to a climate-positive built environment.

Prior to his role at GROUP A, Willem worked on the same mission on a smaller scale from his own studio Blueroom, after twenty years of experience with complex international projects at Erick van Egeraat, where he founded the Moscow branch, among other things.