This project concerns the design of an addition to the building and garden ensemble of the Hortus Botanicus at TU Delft. Through a sequence of steps, visitors are invited to engage with different epistemological perspectives that reveal the close relationship between engineering thinking and colonialism. Rather than only focusing on the historical development of the site itself, the project is grounded in extensive research into the intentions of the garden’s founder, Prof. Dr. Ir. G. van Iterson Jr. The proposed redesign of the entrance and the addition of a pavilion serve as a reflection on the role of architects and engineers in shaping the built environment in ways that have historically been directed towards human interests. ... Read more

Post-conflict reconstruction in Yemen has largely focused on rapid housing provision and infrastructural repair, often relying on standardized concrete construction methods that overlook cultural identity, climatic performance, and long-term social sustainability. This project investigates how vernacular architectural principles can be reinterpreted and integrated into contemporary reconstruction processes to create resilient, culturally sensitive, and socially meaningful environments. Through the combined use of theoretical frameworks (such as critical regionalism, resilience, and place attachment theory) and case study analysis of reconstruction efforts in Beirut and Aleppo, the research establishes a foundation for a hybrid design approach that balances tradition with innovation.

The design component of the project translates these findings into a proposal for a girls’ primary school in Sana’a, Yemen. The school is positioned as a form of social infrastructure that extends beyond its educational function, acting as a catalyst for community recovery, economic participation, and collective identity rebuilding. The project responds to Yemen’s educational crisis by creating a safe, accessible, and adaptable learning environment that supports both formal education and informal social interaction.

Architecturally, the project explores the spatial and material dialogue between the familiar and the unfamiliar. Vernacular elements such as courtyards, layered thresholds, climate-responsive openings, and rammed earth construction are combined with modern structural systems, modular timber construction, and flexible programmatic layouts. This hybrid strategy allows the building to maintain cultural continuity while accommodating future growth, climatic resilience, and evolving educational needs.

Special emphasis is placed on “in-between” spaces (shaded circulation paths, courtyards, and outdoor learning areas) which are treated as primary learning environments rather than residual spaces. These transitional zones foster social interaction, collective ownership, and experiential learning, reinforcing the school’s role as a community anchor.

Ultimately, this project demonstrates how post-conflict reconstruction can move beyond purely technical or economic recovery toward a more holistic approach that integrates social, cultural, and environmental values. By positioning architecture as both a spatial and societal mediator, the project proposes a replicable model for educational infrastructure that supports long-term resilience and identity-driven urban regeneration in Sana’a and similar post-conflict contexts.
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This research explores how lighting landscapes can be strategically designed in future library environments to stimulate user-driven knowledge acquisition and cognitive performance, with a specific focus on the Royal Library in The Hague (KB) as a case study. Throughout history, libraries have evolved from static, exclusive book repositories into dynamic, public learning environments. Central to this transformation is the role of light, which is not just a source of illumination, but also a spatial and neurological stimulant influencing cognition, engagement and user experience.
Despite growing interest in lighting’s psychological effects, its integration as a cognitive tool in library design remains underexplored, particularly in heritage settings such as the KB. This thesis addresses that gap by asking: How can the lighting landscape be designed to stimulate user-driven knowledge acquisition and cognitive performance in the ‘Future Library’?
The study adopts a hybrid theoretical framework informed by neuroscience, architecture, and lighting design. It explores how light affects cogntive performance and knowledge acquisition and how spatial lighting conditions can shape user experience. A mixed-method approach was used, including literature review, empirical research, and design-oriented research.
Findings show that both natural and artificial lighting strongly influence circadian rhythms and cognitive states. Stable light and dark cycles, access to layered views, and lighting systems combining ambient, task, and accent lighting were found to enhance cognitive performance. Other key themes include glare reduction, spatial zoning, and the value of user-controlled lighting.
The outcome of this study is an evidence-based library lighting framework that offers research-informed strategies for designing cognitively responsive library environments. The framework prioritises orientation, spatial form, building openings, daylight controls, artificial lighting quality, and user autonomy.
This thesis ultimately demonstrates that lighting must be treated not merely as a technical or aesthetic feature but as a foundational design element, one that can actively support knowledge acquisition and cognitive performance in the library of the future.
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The research explores the impact of rapid infrastructural growth on Elephanta island and the informal economy that exists there. Located at the intersection of heritage, mass tourism, and sacred architecture. ... Read more

Tjeerd Kuipers (1857-1942) was a renowned architect, constructing over 50 churches. His churches were mainly for the Dutch denomination Gereformeerde Kerken. Abraham Kuyper, a theologian from these churches, published his ideas on church interiors from 1897. The main idea was to construct the church in an amphitheatre-shape, with a large platform or stage in front. On that platform, the liturgical furniture had to be placed. Tjeerd Kuipers incorporated most of these ideas in the Wilhelminakerk in Dordrecht (1899). In earlier work, these principles were not yet visible, and Kuipers’ churches had a very traditional setup. The churches after the Wilhelminakerk feature some aspects of the ideas of Kuyper, such as a platform, a lectern-type pulpit, or the removal of the baptismal fence. However, the full vision of Kuyper did not return anymore in the work of Tjeerd Kuipers. Kuipers himself gives the reason for this: lots of aspects from Kuyper’s ideas did not work properly in practice. Therefore, it can be concluded that the ideas inspired Kuipers, but they had only minor influence on most of the churches he designed. ... Read more

As banking evolved, so did its architecture, using symbolism and style to shape institutional identity and public perception. Between 1916 and 1930, Dutch banks frequently employed in-house architects to maintain brand continuity, with the Rotterdamsche Bank Association appointing Hermann Friedrich Mertens as its in-house architect. His work reflected both historical influences and changing banking trends.

Midway through the 20th century, banking institutions shifted from exclusivity and prestige toward accessibility and transparency. Through a comparative analysis of Kneuterdijk 8 (1920) and Coolsingel 119 (1949), this thesis examines how Mertens’ designs adapted to these changes. While Kneuterdijk emphasized wealth and security through traditional ornamentation, Coolsingel adopted an open and modern approach, reflecting the post-war reconstruction and a broader societal shift in banking identity. This study offers a deeper understanding of architecture’s role in shaping financial institutions’ public perception. ... Read more

This research investigates the evolution of Louis Marie Cordonnier’s award-winning design for the Peace Palace and how it ultimately transformed into the building that was constructed. To answer this question, both secondary literature and archival sources, including drawings, letters, and meeting records, have been consulted.

Originally envisioned as two richly decorated structures adorned with multiple towers, the Peace Palace underwent significant simplification, emerging as a more restrained composition with fewer towers and minimal ornamentation. Contrary to common belief, it was not the later associate, Van der Steur, but the original architect, Louis M. Cordonnier, who initiated the most substantial revisions. Cordonnier remained closely involved in the project even after Van der Steur’s official appointment.

In addition to the architects' influence, the role of the client in the design phase, particularly the Carnegie Foundation, was pivotal. While budget constraints were the official justification for modifying the original design, many, including the Foundation’s chairman, welcomed the more modest aesthetic. This transformation aligned well with the preference of that time for a distinctly Dutch character, which was often portrayed by simplicity and a ‘silent grandeur’.

The final design of the Peace Palace, with its eclectic expression, places it within the architectural avant-garde of its time. While it incorporates modern elements, these are less visually dominant compared to contemporary buildings like the Beurs van Berlage, where modernism is expressed openly on the façade. This contrast suggests that visual expression plays a critical role in defining whether a building is perceived as modern. ... Read more

Hybridity in residential architecture is increasingly regarded as a progressive urban strategy. Yet despite their apparent novelty, hybrid dwellings are deeply rooted in pre-individual architectural forms and reflect long-surpassed concepts. After comparing hybrids to their antithesis – building typologies – this essay will examine the darker side of hybridity: dwellings that offer compromised living conditions within programmatically confused building forms, presented in Atelier Bow Wow’s 2001 catalogue, Made in Tokyo. Besides uncovering their societal, cultural and historical underpinnings, the primary questions of interest will be how leftover hybrid dwellings affect domestic and urban spatial arrangements and how they hinder architectural evolution. ... Read more

This thesis explores the architectural influence of Le Corbusier on Richard Meier by examining how Meier’s design for the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona (MACBA) reflects Le Corbusier’s Five Points of Architecture. By conducting this analysis, the study introduces a new perspective on the connection between Le Corbusier’s theory and Meier’s architectural language. Acknowledging Meier’s own recognition of Le Corbusier as a formative influence, the study analyses MACBA as a mature expression of Meier’s design approach, showing that Meier not only uses and implements Corbusier's principles but also interprets and modifies them. In addition to the Five Points, the thesis also considers the role of geometrical order in Meier’s design for MACBA, offering a deeper understanding of the theoretical and formal aspects of Meier's architectural language. ... Read more

This research on the professionalisation of interior architecture as an independent discipline in The Netherlands, can prove to be helpful in understanding the more recent and current developments of the interior architecture discipline. This thesis discusses the professionalization of interior architecture as an independent discipline in The Netherlands through three different themes; the professional associations, the education and the protected title. ... Read more

This thesis examines the housing of the (mainly) Indo-European population from Indonesia in the Netherlands after the Second World War, focusing on the architectural projects of Evert van Linge for Stichting Pelita, a foundation by repatriates for repatriates. In a context of severe housing shortages and restrictive government regulation, Pelita sought to provide accommodation and financial support but primarily targeted white upper-class repatriates. Drawing on archival research and existing literature, the study analyzes how the houses commissioned by Stichting Pelita reflected both the state’s assimilation policies and the constraints of postwar housing provision. The findings show that these projects, while limited in inclusivity, illustrate the intersection of migration, architecture, and policy in the broader framework of Dutch decolonization and postwar reconstruction. ... Read more

This thesis examines the transformation of Emirati housing in Dubai from the pre-oil era to the present, analyzing how housing typologies evolved in response to social, economic, and cultural shifts following the discovery of oil. Through a comparative spatial analysis of Arish, Barajeel, Sha‘bi houses, and modern villas, the study investigates the extent to which these transformations align with traditional Emirati cultural values. By highlighting the tensions between modernization and cultural preservation, this research contributes to the understanding of how architecture both shapes and reflects identity in a rapidly developing society. ... Read more

This thesis explores Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, locally known as San Ma Lou, as a key urban space reflecting Macau’s colonial past and cultural hybridity. Focusing on the period from the 1920s to the 1970s, the study examines the architectural and commercial evolution of the shophouse, a Southeast Asian colonial housing typology that lines this central avenue. The transformation of shophouse façades, from Neo-Classical to Art Deco to Modernist styles, not only traces aesthetic shifts but also reveals the social, economic, and cultural transitions shaped by Portuguese colonial rule and local Chinese identity. ... Read more

This thesis historicises the Dutch response to sea-level rise, tracing the progression from scientific discovery to public awareness and eventual political action. Through a literature-based analysis and timeline reconstruction, it explores how early warnings, beginning with 19th-century measurements and Jakob Bennema’s 1954 dissertation, failed to prompt immediate policy change. Instead, a familiar pattern emerged: delayed governmental response despite increasing societal and scientific concern. The research highlights key moments in Dutch awareness, including early media coverage and political debates, and questions whether the Netherlands is once again waiting for disaster before implementing proactive climate adaptation strategies. ... Read more

Over the 20th century, Dutch Montessori school architecture evolved from teacher-centred to child-centred spaces that are in harmony with Maria Montessori’s pedagogical vision. This paper conducts research using a literature review and a case study of the 1e Montessorischool the Wielewaal (1927, Dienst der Publieke Werken), the Arnhemse Montessorischool (1953, Piet Leupen), and the Amsterdamse Montessorischool (1983, Herman Hertzberger) to find an answer on the following research question: “How did the architecture of Dutch Montessori school buildings, in particular spatial design, evolve in response to Montessori pedagogical principles throughout the 20th century?” Key findings in this study are principles such as the prepared environment, freedom of movement, hands-on learning, mixed-age grouping, and uninterrupted work periods influence educational design. Spatial designs evolved from simple open spaces to more detailed and thoughtful ones. In 1927, the focus was on bright, shared and practical areas. By 1953, spaces became more flexible and kid-friendly, feeling warmer and more personal. By 1983, designs were complex, with different areas and features that encouraged social interaction, fully matching Montessori’s ideas. ... Read more

The Stopera is an integration of a music theatre and a city hall, situated at Waterlooplein in Amsterdam.  Before the combination, it was supposed to be a separate music theatre by Bijvoet & Holt at Ferdinand  Bolstraat and a city hall by Holzbauer at the Waterlooplein. The architects made multiple iterations for  both separate designs. This thesis examines the elements retained from these separate plans that merge  the city hall and music theatre.   The research questions follow: “How did the design elements of Bijvoet & Holt’s music theatre (1978),  Holzbauer’s city hall (1978), Holzbauer’s Stopera (1979), the collaboration between the stakeholders,  and the financial constraints influence the final design of Holzbauer & Dam’s Stopera (1981)?”.  The research includes an analysis of the most recent version of the drawings of each project and the  written statements provided by the architects. The book “Rumoer aan de Amstel”, written by De Liagre  Böhl, is used as a red thread of historical context, while newspaper articles offer insight into the  collaboration among the involved parties and the final expenses. Additionally, the program of  requirements published by the municipality provides an overview of the program of the Stopera.   Research shows that various elements of both projects are recognisable in the design of the Stopera. For  instance, the windows from the music theatre and Holzbauer’s proposal look similar to the windows of  the Stopera. Furthermore, the functional layout of the city hall and Holzbauer’s proposal of integration  are recognisable in the design of the Stopera. It is important to note that the collaboration among the  different stakeholders was far from seamless, which may have contributed to unexpectedly high final  expenses. ... Read more

This thesis explores the influence of the Women’s Housing Sub-Committee (WHSC) on domestic architecture in the UK after the First World War. Formed in 1918 as part of the Ministry of Reconstruction, the WHSC aimed to adapt housing to better reflect the changing roles of women, especially working-class women, after the war. The committee focused on practical improvements in housing design, such as functional layouts, modern amenities, and better hygiene, to reduce the physical burden of household work.

By analysing reports, policy documents, and design recommendations, this thesis shows how the WHSC helped shift housing policy to include women’s perspectives. It argues that the committee played a key role in redefining the home as a space not only for domestic work, but also for citizenship and public life. Their work laid the foundation for more inclusive housing policy in the decades that followed. ... Read more

This thesis explores the relationship between Lucia Moholy’s photographic practice during the Bauhaus period (1919–1933) and her later theoretical contributions in A Hundred Years of Photography 1839–1939. This study reveals that Lucia Moholy’s significant contributions played a key role in shaping the visual legacy of the Bauhaus and the work of László Moholy-Nagy, yet they remain largely overlooked. The thesis identifies three types of connections: direct references to her own work, overarching thematic continuities such as subjectivity and gender, and personal narratives embedded in both her images and writing. By tracing Moholy’s trajectory from practitioner to theorist, this study examines how her precise, documentary photographic style evolved into a broader cultural analysis of photography’s role in modern life. ... Read more

This thesis explores the relationship between evolving music culture and concert hall design in Amsterdam by comparing two iconic venues: Het Concertgebouw built in 1888 and Het Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ built in 2005. While both buildings serve as spaces for musical performance, their contrasting designs reflect the cultural, social, and technological values of their respective time periods. By focusing on four specific aspects of design, including historical context and location, typology, acoustics, and programming, this study aims to understand the connection between music culture and architectural expression.

Het Concertgebouw was built as a private initiative to elevate Amsterdam’s classical music scene to the standards of European cultural capitals. Its symmetrical layout, formal hierarchy, and focus on acoustic excellence reflect nineteenth-century ideals of prestige and refinement. Despite limited scientific knowledge of acoustics at the time, the hall’s design achieved world-class sound quality through imitation of other successful venues. Originally focused on symphonic classical music, the Concertgebouw gradually expanded its programming to include a broader range of genres, showing an ongoing adaptation to cultural change.

In contrast, the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ was conceived as an inclusive and multifunctional space that reflects diversity of contemporary music culture. Located on the IJ waterfront, its transparent design encourages public interaction and urban integration. Designed by the Danish architecture firm 3XN, the building features innovative acoustic technologies that allow the main hall to be adapted for different musical styles and settings. The Muziekgebouw supports a wide variety of performances and educational initiatives, embracing global influences and technological experimentation.

The study reveals that while both buildings place music at their core, their designs mirror the different values of their time. The Concertgebouw represents formality, tradition, and hierarchy, while the Muziekgebouw embodies flexibility, informality, and inclusivity. Both venues made use of the best available acoustic knowledge of their respective periods and have played key roles in shaping Amsterdam’s musical identity.

The thesis concludes that concert halls are more than acoustic shells: they are cultural statements that reflect society’s relationship with music. As music culture continues to change, driven by globalisation, digital technology, and shifting audience behaviours, architects must anticipate future needs by designing spaces that are flexible, inclusive, and sustainable.
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This study examines the 1923 Les Architectes du Grupe De Stijl exhibition at the parisian L’effort Moderne gallery and its associated publications, including primary and secondary sources, with a focus on an original photography. Key figures include Theo van Doesburg, Cornelis van Eesteren, J.J.P. Oud and Le Corbusier. The analysis centers on debates surrounding abstraction and functionalism within early modernist architecture. The work situates itself within the academic contributions of Sjoerd van Faassen and Herman van Bergeijk, particularly concerning the complex relationship between van Doesburg and Le Corbusier, characterized by both alignment and opposition. Methodologically, it adopts an interdisciplinary framework: (1) an empirical approach to aesthetics of De Stijl’s and Le Corbusier’s modernism; (2) a visual analysis of historical narratives as constructed through imagery and its interplay with textual discourse; and (3) a comparative lens to assess the individual contributions and reciprocal influences among the architects. ... Read more