In recent decades, public architecture has increasingly been called upon to play a role in social, economic, and environmental change. In regions impacted by industrial extraction, exploitation, and political neglect, public buildings must exist not as mere civic objects, but rather as spaces where belonging, access, and collective identity are fostered. Such areas often tend to contribute disproportionately to national prosperity, yet remain marginal and peripheral when it comes to public investment, representation, and spatial quality. Several by-products of such processes include the physical deterioration of the built environment, social fragmentation, demographic decline, and a weakened sense of belonging within communities.

The northern region of Groningen is one such case, which has, for decades, been affected by processes of extraction. While gas extraction in the area has generated national economic benefit, it has left local communities with enduring social, spatial and psychological consequences, such as seismic damage, a loss of trust in the government, and a weakened sense of identity.

In response to these issues, the Dutch government has recently proposed Nij Begun, a long-term, 30-year agenda with the aim of rebuilding the future of Groningen and North Drenthe. This proposal serves as a point of departure for the project. Nij Begun addresses regions that, for decades, have been impacted by gas extraction and as a consequence, also by multiple earthquakes. In turn, this has caused serious damage to buildings, as well as economical and psychological issues to inhabitants.

This project departs from the Nij Begun agenda and its key principles such as addressing mental health and wellbeing, improving health and liveability, increasing participation, and fostering community spirit and pride. It aims to provide an environment of wellbeing. Through strengthening the relationship of the site with water, and creating public spaces and buildings which foster connection to others, and to nature, the project aims to generate a sense of identity, belonging, and community for the locals, while also attracting visitors to the region. ... Read more

The Studio positions itself within the framework of Nij Begun– a 30-year plan recently implemented by the Dutch Government to build a better future for the regions of Groningen and North Drenthe. Nij Begun targets areas that have been affected for decades by practices of gas extraction and, as a consequence, also by several earthquakes, causing serious damage to buildings as well as economic and mental damage to its inhabitants. This project investigates how architecture can contribute to the regeneration of economically and socially marginalised areas by strengthening cultural identity, fostering a sense of belonging, and simultaneously generating economic vitality. It explores how sustainable tourism – one that celebrates nature, ecology, and multispecies coexistence – can trigger positive models of economic development and social cohesion.

Through a Research-by-Design approach, the project proposes a tourism- and community-oriented public building that combines wellness, short-stay accommodation, and cultural programmes to extend tourism across the year. To balance attracting visitors while preserving the village’s character, the project explores how small-scale architectural interventions, landscape design, and wellness-oriented programmes can be woven into the existing context, forming a connected and inclusive system.
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Following the closing of its gas field, which induced earthquakes that caused harm to people and buildings over the years, the province of Groningen, through the program Nij Begun, is at a turning point, investing on tourism as a way of revitalizing its social and economic welfare. This new beginning (as Nij Begun suggests) requires a balance between increasing tourism and local community needs. Therefore, this project aims to propose the design of an activity center in the village of Winsum that uses tourism as a driver for socio-economic healing and social cohesion and that strengthens the local identity.
By means of a Research-by-design approach that combines theoretical studies and design experimentations through analytical, comparative, and representational tools, the project works upon hybridity, multiplicity, circulation and regionalist architecture to achieve its goals. In exploring an architecture of regionalism, the design departs from the specific characteristics of the building terrain, resulting on four buildings that frame different visuals of the landscape and, in some cases, reinterpret historical landscape formations. In the same respect, the design incorporates local and bio-based materials. A terracotta pathway connects the different buildings, creating a journey throughout the landscape that promotes the overlapping of paths of tourists and locals, generating spontaneous interactions between them.
Ultimately, the design demonstrates how architecture can go beyond merely accommodating functions, being in fact a powerful tool to strengthen economy and identity in vulnerable communities. It proves that contemporary regionalism can honour a landscape without replicating historical styles and that careful orchestration of circulation can foster social cohesion. ... Read more

The design brief calls for a public condenser — a space that concentrates and amplifies public life. In this research, the public condenser is envisioned not merely as a place of gathering, but as a catalyst for lifelong learning, rooted in both social and ecological dimensions.
At its heart lies the concept of the “seed” — a symbolic and spatial starting point:
• Ecologically, the seed fosters biodiversity, creating a cradle where human and more-than-human lives intertwine.
• Socially, it bridges divides, nurturing kinship across generations and communities.
To realize this vision, the proposal introduces a multi-layered intervention: an urban-scale socio-ecological corridor, a public condenser, and a prototypical design.
Architecture as Catalyst: Interventions Across Scales (XS, S, M, L)
The project embraces multiplicity in design, with interventions at different scales that respond to the needs of diverse communities and ecosystems.

XS — Nesting and Non-Human Sanctuary
At the smallest scale, the design fosters human–nature interdependence by creating sanctuaries for non-human life. Ethical micro-farms — including guano, feather, worm, and insect farms — along with façade-integrated nests, enhance urban biodiversity. These interventions address overlooked ecosystems and promote coexistence within the built environment.

S — In-between Spaces for Reflection and Recovery
For individuals facing mental health challenges, architecture holds the power to heal or harm. This scale introduces small, quiet spaces designed for reflection, self-care, and mental well-being — not as isolating enclosures, but as supportive environments that foster recovery and personal growth.

M — Public Typologies for Education, Creativity, and Healing
At the mid-scale, the Public Condenser offers communal spaces that promote learning, creativity, and cultural exchange. Children participate in play-based education, guided by university student mentors through storytelling, art, and therapeutic activities. These intergenerational interactions nurture mental health, intellectual development, and social cohesion. Outdoor areas for sports and recreation further reconnect people with nature and with each other.

L — The Learning Field / Green Mile Garden
At the largest scale, the project envisions the Green Mile Garden — a continuous green corridor linking Ørestad Fælled, the University, and Sundholm. This urban thread fosters movement, interaction, and unity, bridging marginalized areas with the wider city. It weaves ecological and human elements into a shared landscape of connection, renewal, and resilience.



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This graduation project investigates how architectural design can foster social cohesion in the socio-economically challenged neighborhood of Sønderbro–Sundholm in Copenhagen, Denmark. The area faces significant spatial and social fragmentation, marked by underutilized public spaces, deteriorating infrastructure, and limited opportunities for inclusive interaction. Despite its current challenges, Sønderbro–Sundholm holds strong potential to evolve into a vibrant, green, and culturally rich district.

The project addresses a central question: How can architectural design enable social cohesion by stimulating dynamic forms of publicness and interaction in Sundholm? To answer this, the research explores three key sub-questions: (1) how to establish inclusive, adaptable spaces that challenge disconnection and balance the public/private divide to enhance well-being; (2) how personality-based design elements can support both physical and mental health; and (3) how sustainable architectural strategies can contribute to resilient, healthy urban environments.

By embracing a design approach that recognizes the sliding scales between public and private, and active and passive modes of engagement, the project aims to create a layered spatial system that accommodates diverse ways of life. Through this lens, architecture becomes a mediator—bridging divides, nurturing a sense of belonging, and laying the foundation for a more socially sustainable urban future. ... Read more

This project proposes a mixed-use public building designed to stimulate social interaction and support personal development in the complex urban context of Sundholm. From 1909 to 1980, Sundholm used to be a closed asylum for criminals, who were put there to do forced labour, but even though the gate has been removed, the neighbourhood, characterised by social institutions, homeless people and a marginalised community, remains isolated from its surrounding context. By improving the neighbourhood’s connectivity and introducing a new meeting space for crafting, learning, and sharing, the building becomes a space where children, artists, the homeless, the elderly, and families can meet through a programme of craft and sharing. This design explores the boundaries of resilience by applying flexible design strategies to improve the building’s social and functional adaptability. Through a flexible and resilient approach, the architecture adapts to shifting users, seasons, and activities. It supports various fixed crafting functions, and temporary events like markets or exhibitions. This is achieved by strategically using unprogrammed spaces, adaptive boundaries, and user-adaptive elements. The result is a public condenser that doesn’t just serve its community today, but evolves with it. ... Read more

The graduation project, "From Exhaustion to Resilience," is set in Sønderbro, a neighbourhood of Copenhagen. Initial research and site visit identified the primary challenge as a sense of exhaustion experienced by the residents, connected to their social interactions and urban environment. Inspired by Gilles Deleuze’s conceptualization of exhaustion, the term here describes a state of complete depletion and lack of possibilities, relating both to the urban environment and the social interactions within the community. Consequently, the main issue that the project addresses is how a public condenser can disrupt this exhausted context to generate new and previously unimaginable possibilities.
The design utilizes two guiding principles throughout the different scales to generate these new possibilities. The first is termed “the spectacular everyday”, it entails treating the everyday patterns and things in life as something spectacular and a source of new possibilities. The second principle focuses on turning boundaries into borders, edges shaped by interaction, as from this interaction new possibilities can emerge.
The final design functions as a framework, featuring both internal and external infrastructure that facilitate and support the everyday and turn it into something spectacular. In addition to this, the design establishes new borders full of interaction. By establishing these qualities, the design successfully disrupts the exhausted condition of Sønderbro, generating resilience and new and unimagined possibilities.
The final design functions as a framework, integrating both internal and external infrastructure that facilitate and support the everyday and turn it into something spectacular. In addition to this, the design establishes new borders full of interaction. By incorporating these qualities, the building successfully disrupts the exhausted context of Sønderbro, generating resilience and new and unimagined possibilities.
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Sundholm, a historically marginalized quarter within Amagerbro, faces severe social and spatial challenges, including economic disparity, societal marginalization, and a lack of connectivity with its surroundings. Once an isolated social welfare institution district, the nieghbourhood continues to struggle with its negative reputation and physical disconnection, limiting its potential for urban renewal. The project aims to transform Sundholm into a socially sustainable and dynamic urban environment by introducing a public condenser that promotes interaction and inclusivity.

A key research focus is understanding how architectural morphology and topography can shape movement patterns and social encounters. The design proposes an open, accessible public space that integrates a wellness and sports center, cultural hall, and media unit along a central axis, which functions as the primary structuring element, encouraging movement, flow, and interaction across diverse socioeconomic groups, as well as introducing the project’s street presence on main boundary roads. By implementing strategic spatial porosity, effective pedestrian circulation, and diverse intensity zones, the project seeks to create an environment that naturally invites both local residents and outsiders, encouraging new social constellations.

The project also emphasizes environmental and economic sustainability. By incorporating
a nature-inclusive design startegy, the public condenser will connect human and non-human actors, thereby contributing to urban biodiversity. Furthermore, passive design strategies and modular construction techniques will be explored to ensure resource-conscious material use.

Finally, this project envisions Sundholm as a vibrant and inclusive urban district, where the
interplay of movement, porosity, and spatial intensity promotes a thriving public realm. By strategically designing for flow and social interaction, the public condenser will act as a catalyst for the area’s revitalization, strengthening its identity while making it an attractive and safe environment for all. ... Read more

This graduation thesis explores architecture as a cinematic tool to induce interaction, emotional response, and social cohesion in fragmented urban contexts. Set in Sundholm, Copenhagen, a site suspended between care and neglect, order and disorder, the project seeks to mediate opposing conditions and foster moments of encounter across vulnerable societal groups. Sundholm today exists as a palimpsest: a former institutional landscape now challenged by physical disconnection, stigmatization, and socio-economic stratification. Yet, within these ruptures lies the potential for architecture to act as a bridge.

Through a research by design methodology, the project investigates how spatial sequencing and montage theory, rooted in the work of Sergei Eisenstein and Bernard Tschumi, can be spatialized as tools for healing and coexistence. In this approach, the city is read not as a static composition, but as a sequence of dramatic episodes. Architecture is thus not the backdrop but the medium through which social contradictions can be staged, softened, or reconfigured. The project poses the central question: how can induction, inspired by cinematic montage, be introduced as an architectural tool to promote social cohesion in fragmented urban space?

The proposed design is a Public Condenser, a hybrid cultural and social infrastructure that curates layered programs through episodic transitions. It is both porous and programmatically dense, allowing everyday rituals such as gardening, making, cooking, and resting to become shared experiences. The building narrates a story of Sundholm through spatial gradients, from dark to light, compressed to open, loud to quiet. This fluctuation in intensity and pace stimulates interactivity and self-awareness while allowing users to adapt according to need and state of mind. The architecture enables co-presence without forced participation, inviting its users—children, addicts, elderly, families—to encounter the other, or withdraw when necessary.

Cinematic techniques such as juxtaposition, rhythm, and the Kuleshov effect are reinterpreted architecturally through shifting thresholds, visual cues, and temporal variations in spatial experience. The use of nature through vertical gardens, water features, and crafted material transitions adds a sensory layer of calm and spatial legibility. The project also draws from neuropsychological and phenomenological research, suggesting that both addicts and children are neurologically and emotionally reactive to spatial cues, making architectural sensitivity not only desirable but necessary.

The design strategy is developed through layered media: storyboards, diagrams, interviews, and speculative collages that map behavioral sequences in urban space. These methods are used to construct a spatial narrative that does not eliminate chaos but renders it navigable. By framing social collisions as opportunities for spatial induction rather than barriers, the project reframes architecture as an active player in constructing shared memory and public imagination.

Ultimately, this thesis proposes a spatial scenography of the public, a cultural framework where architecture acts not as shelter or spectacle, but as a script for resilient coexistence. It is an attempt to curate space as an emotional, political, and social experience, one that embraces the complexity of contemporary urban life and transforms it into a meaningful sequence of interactions. ... Read more

In contemporary urbanism, cities must be resilient and adaptable to remain livable. Climate change, demographic shifts, and evolving cultural patterns demand flexible approaches to architectural and urban design (Holling, 1973; Brand, 1994). Sundholm exemplifies these challenges as a fragmented neighborhood with a clear yet disconnected identity. Often viewed as a space where Copenhagen’s “unwanted layers” are placed, Sundholm reveals a delicate coherence next to its reputation. a blend of cultures, identities, and characteristics that are fluid and ever-changing. Traditional strategies of homogenization risk erasing the unique character of the area, contradicting the wishes of its residents.

The proposed Public Condenser embraces Sundholm’s fluid identity, transforming its fragmented nature into a strength. Instead of imposing a static, top-down vision, the design creates a setting where residents can shape their environment over time. The project’s core concept revolves around continuity. Instead of trying to completely reshape the neighbourhood, the idea is to build on the strengths the area already has. There are already good initiatives to make Sundholm a better place, but thease ideals must be exploited and followed through. By continuing this trend, we continue the progress of Sundholm as a whole. A central open pathway connects these clusters, promoting interaction while maintaining flexibility.

The design integrates principles of seasonal adaptability, adaptive reuse, material transformation, and evolving light conditions. It redefines the relationship between architecture and identity, making change a central design principle rather than an afterthought. By celebrating multiplicity, continuity and embracing whats already there, this project aims to serve as a model for future urban interventions. The findings will not only shape Sundholm’s Public Condenser but also inspire approaches that embrace the ever-evolving nature of urban life. ... Read more

the research investigates the role of public architectural design in enhancing well-being and safety in socio-economically challenged neighborhoods, with a focus on Sundholm, Copenhagen. The study is grounded in the “5 Ways to Well-being” framework, emphasizing community connection, active spaces, and accessible design. Additionally, Neuro-architecture is implemented, to stimulate the well-being not only on a conscious but also unconscious level. The proposal is the design for a public condenser fostering inclusivity and comfortvwhile enhancing well-being and health, thereby improving social cohesion and residents’ quality of life. ... Read more

The Public Condenser marks a pivotal step in challenging the negative narrative surrounding social life in Sundholm. Known for its history of marginalized groups facing barriers to public participation, the neighborhood calls for an architectural intervention that actively encourages social interaction among strangers. This project introduces a public program and design that foster spontaneous encounters and community engagement.

The Public Condenser aims to shift both the perception and behavior associated with Sundholm. At the heart of the design is the transformation of a former boundary, once defined by fences, barriers, and both physical and ideological separations between people and the institutional fabric of the area. By reimagining the entrance around a former gatehouse, the project makes the neighborhood more open and inviting to passersby, dismantling previous divisions.

Crucially, the Public Condenser is conceived as an extension of the existing Sundholm House 8. Currently used by NGOs and the municipality as a meeting and workspace bridging municipal functions and the southern part of Copenhagen, the addition brings new spatial capacity and renewed public identity to the site. Through its scale and civic character, the extension elevates the status of these important functions.

The interior design is grounded in the principles of both literal and phenomenal transparency. Promoting a visual and spatial continuity between interior and exterior environments. Constructed with timber cross-beams and Y-shaped columns, the architecture supports a fluid spatial experience. Staircases double as social meeting points, allowing different spaces to connect without requiring formal circulation. In doing so, the project unifies two aims: enabling genuine social inclusion while also creating moments of social attraction, together forming the singular purpose of the Public Condenser. ... Read more

This research will explore how to reshape boundaries to promote social cohesion, emphasizing resilience and sustainability. Through a new interpretation of boundaries, I will examine their dual nature: on the one hand, boundaries provide a sense of safety and territory; on the other hand, they serve as platforms that enable communication, interaction, and collaboration. By constructing dynamic and adaptive boundaries, this research aims to reflect contemporary social relationships, fostering integration and inclusivity.

Boundaries act as a central theme across multiple scales and levels, encapsulating hybridity and multiplicity. At the urban level, I will investigate the continuity and resilience of spatial structures, aiming to create cohesive and sustainable urban environments. At the architectural level, I will explore space strategies, material attributes, and their potential to enhance adaptability, healthiness, and sustainability. This research will demonstrate how different functional spaces can be integrated, cooperate effectively, and contribute to a sustainable and healthy future. ... Read more

How to design a vertical campus that focuses on designing for interaction ... Read more

The project takes place in the Anna van Buerenplein, The Hague, Netherlands and focuses on the development of a public campus high rise. The proposal explores the transformation of the dense central station area of The Hague, through developing connections between existing infrastructures and the new campus building. The ground floor of the site will become the “plinth” of the campus, and the campus will be open to the city. This gesture will foster the development of the area as the educational core of the CID of The Hague. The new design will become part of this new urban constellation. Knowledge is meant to be discovered and explored by the visitors of the campus, and the city is meant to be part of the student experience.
The first levels of the campus reach out to the existing layers of the city. The key concept is to create shared spaces with Leiden University building, the National Archive and part of the Library. The second cluster houses the studio spaces, the classrooms and other educational facilities. The design features a meandering track through the learning and research spaces. The journey around the cluster allows learning on display. The top cluster is an autonomous office space. Densification equals stacking. The goal is to investigate whether we can create publicly accessible upper floors.
Overall the building is approached as an urban system of interwoven public and collective spaces. In between the squares on the upper levels, the meandering circulation promenade and the prosthetic connecting elements, the program can be adjusted or changed. That system can be applied to different contexts.
The project strategy was shaped by the findings stemming from the contextual investigation, which brought forward the potential the site area has to offer. Through the method of research-by-design, the project proposes an approach to densification by engaging with porosity, permeability, and connectivity.

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In an era where public spaces often lack the warmth and accessibility necessary to foster genuine connections, and on a site dominated by closed buildings and transitional spots seen as non-place, this vertical campus emerges as a counterpoint—a destination in itself rather than a mere transition between destinations. By prioritising social interaction, engagement, and inclusivity, it becomes a dynamic catalyst for community cohesion.

To achieve this inclusivity, accessibility is a central point of interest, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can navigate its spaces with ease. Furthermore, central to the building’s ethos is the concept of shared spaces—areas where individuals can come together to connect, collaborate, and celebrate. These spaces will not just be functional; they will be designed to evoke specific emotional responses through the strategic use of colour, texture, and form. Warm, inviting hubs evoke feelings of comfort, while bold pops of colour inject energy and vitality into the space. Shared spaces will be designed to serve diverse needs and preferences. From green patios that invite relaxation to bustling communal hubs that celebrate cultures and social interactions. These spaces will serve as the lifeblood of the building, fostering a sense of community and belonging among its occupants.

Collaborative use will also be encouraged, with flexible spaces that can easily adapt to a diverse range of activities and events. From art exhibitions to community workshops, the building will serve as a canvas for creativity and expression, fostering a sense of ownership and investment among its users.
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The Escalating City is a public highrise project located next to The Hague central station. Due to the lack of buildable space, a different suitable location had to be found. The potentials of an infrastructural node nearby the station were interesting to me. Seemingly it is not a place to make a building, due to the neclegted state. But it is full of opportunities to connect the new public building to the flows of the city and allowing optimal access. The building rests on 4 super columns (or cores), supporting the whole structure. This structural strategy opens up a variety of possibilties. Firstly, it creates the possibilty for the tunnel, roads, tram tracks, cycling paths and buslanes to flowing underneath the building. Secondly, the absence of a central core provides lots of freedom on the floorplans and made it possible for the diagonal elevator tubes to go through. ... Read more

The project focuses on creating educational, working, and public spaces that promote diversity and sustainability.

With the global population growing, the design emphasizes efficient space utilization and minimal environmental impact through inward densification and overlapping activities. Another key objective is to enhance campus spaces for flexibility and efficiency while maintaining essential elements like social interaction and facilities. The design arranges programs based on qualitative parameters such as the succession of spaces and varying levels of privacy, using architectural means like ramps, stairs, and materials.

Situated in The Hague, part of the Randstad Urban Network, the project aims to minimize space impact while accommodating population influx. The building massing strategy involves sharing spaces and creating new structures to connect different user groups via public pathways and a collective hub. Building systems use recycled steel and timber to reduce CO2 impact, with efficient ventilation and modular facade designs. The main buildings feature fritted ceramic glass for daylight and views, while the collective hub has a metal mesh facade for light and airflow.

The design integrates with its surroundings to ensure smooth flow and connectivity, creating a vertical campus with outdoor green spaces. Overall, the Multiverse Campus optimizes space use, enhances learning efficiency, and fosters a sustainable, diverse environment. ... Read more

With the shift in pedagogical and technological approaches towards hybrid learning concepts, architectural spaces also need to be adapted to meet the diverse needs of today’s learners. My project investigates how hybrid learning spaces can enhance the creative thinking process of lifelong learners. It explores design strategies to ensure that vertical campus buildings are accessible to various users. A key focus is identifying spatial characteristics that either activate or challenge creativity and using these as design tools. The goal is to design a “Vertical Campus” in The Hague that addresses urban densification and is publicly accessible.

The project aims for sustainable and future-proof designs that meet today’s needs while anticipating future ones. It combines various functions within a campus complex and addresses themes like hybridity and lifelong learning. The project seeks to make existing government institutions accessible to the public and ensure vertical accessibility. It integrates knowledge from architecture, social sciences, technology, and engineering, proposing solutions to align the built environment with recent developments in teaching and learning.

Incorporating hybrid learning spaces not only enhances the creative journey of lifelong learners but also facilitates knowledge sharing and accessibility for different stakeholders and users. This is particularly relevant in The Hague’s Central Innovation District, where a significant amount of knowledge exists within municipal and governmental buildings and numerous educational institutions, but is not accessible to the general public. ... Read more