Partners
Gianni Cito
Herman Zeinstra
Liesbeth van der Pol
Ludo Grooteman
Martin Fredriks
Gianni Cito was born in Zurich, Switzerland in 1970 and trained there as an architectural draughtsman.In 1993 he graduated in architectural design at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam after whi....
Gianni Cito was born in Zurich, Switzerland in 1970 and trained there as an architectural draughtsman.In 1993 he graduated in architectural design at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam after which he left for London, where he gained his diploma at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in 1996.
After working at various architectural practices in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Melbourne and Zurich, he established Blue Architects in 1999, together with Ludo Grooteman and Thomas Hildebrand.It was an international practice, with offices in Amsterdam and Zurich.
In 2001 Blue Architects gained public recognition after being awarded the first prize for the Superbowl project for the Prix de Rome for Architecture, the most important competition for young architects in the Netherlands.
Blue Architects Amsterdam and Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol merged to become Dok architects in 2007, with Gianni Cito, together with Ludo Grooteman, Liesbeth van der Pol, Herman Zeinstra and Martin Fredriks, at the head.
The work of Gianni Cito is characterised by a fresh and clear design style, inventive solutions and great attention to the detailing of the design. Active research, making use of architectural and 3D models, forms an insoluble part of the design process.
Besides his work as an architect, Gianni Cito has been and still is attached as a guest lecturer at various academies, including the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, the Academies for Architecture in Rotterdam and the Design Academy in Eindhoven.Since 2001 he has been teaching at the Architectural Academy in Amsterdam.
After working at various architectural practices in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Melbourne and Zurich, he established Blue Architects in 1999, together with Ludo Grooteman and Thomas Hildebrand.It was an international practice, with offices in Amsterdam and Zurich.
In 2001 Blue Architects gained public recognition after being awarded the first prize for the Superbowl project for the Prix de Rome for Architecture, the most important competition for young architects in the Netherlands.
Blue Architects Amsterdam and Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol merged to become Dok architects in 2007, with Gianni Cito, together with Ludo Grooteman, Liesbeth van der Pol, Herman Zeinstra and Martin Fredriks, at the head.
The work of Gianni Cito is characterised by a fresh and clear design style, inventive solutions and great attention to the detailing of the design. Active research, making use of architectural and 3D models, forms an insoluble part of the design process.
Besides his work as an architect, Gianni Cito has been and still is attached as a guest lecturer at various academies, including the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, the Academies for Architecture in Rotterdam and the Design Academy in Eindhoven.Since 2001 he has been teaching at the Architectural Academy in Amsterdam.
> Read more
> Close
Herman Zeinstra
Herman Zeinstra (Harlingen, 1937) took the BNA architecture examination after studying architecture and construction at the engineering and technical college.
After working at an Amsterdam architectu....
Herman Zeinstra (Harlingen, 1937) took the BNA architecture examination after studying architecture and construction at the engineering and technical college.
After working at an Amsterdam architectural practice in Amsterdam and Tel Aviv, he started his own architectural practice in Tel Aviv in 1969.
On his return to the Netherlands he established himself as an independent architect in Amsterdam in 1975. In 1995 he set up Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol jointly with his partner Liesbeth van der Pol.
The practice expanded rapidly and gained a reputation with a wide variety of projects, including housing and cultural and industrial buildings.
Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol and Blue Architects merged to become DOK architects in 2007, of which Herman Zeinstra stands at the head, together with Liesbeth van der Pol, Martin Fredriks, Ludo Grooteman and Gianni Cito.
Zeinstra’s work carries a recognisable signature: clear proportions, an expressive use of materials and great attention to detail.
Detailed sketches drawn by hand have always formed part of his design process.
Herman Zeinstra has received various prizes for his work over the years, including the Dino cup for the doyen of Dutch architecture in 2002 and the Amsterdam Zuiderkerk Prize in 2005.
Besides his work as an architect, Herman Zeinstra has been and still is attached as a guest lecturer to various universities and academies. He has undertaken many architectural journeys and served on various juries. He is currently attached as a lecturer to the Architectural Academy in Amsterdam.
The oeuvre of Herman Zeinstra was awarded in 2009 with the 'Oeuvreprijs Fonds BKVB Bouwkunst'.
After working at an Amsterdam architectural practice in Amsterdam and Tel Aviv, he started his own architectural practice in Tel Aviv in 1969.
On his return to the Netherlands he established himself as an independent architect in Amsterdam in 1975. In 1995 he set up Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol jointly with his partner Liesbeth van der Pol.
The practice expanded rapidly and gained a reputation with a wide variety of projects, including housing and cultural and industrial buildings.
Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol and Blue Architects merged to become DOK architects in 2007, of which Herman Zeinstra stands at the head, together with Liesbeth van der Pol, Martin Fredriks, Ludo Grooteman and Gianni Cito.
Zeinstra’s work carries a recognisable signature: clear proportions, an expressive use of materials and great attention to detail.
Detailed sketches drawn by hand have always formed part of his design process.
Herman Zeinstra has received various prizes for his work over the years, including the Dino cup for the doyen of Dutch architecture in 2002 and the Amsterdam Zuiderkerk Prize in 2005.
Besides his work as an architect, Herman Zeinstra has been and still is attached as a guest lecturer to various universities and academies. He has undertaken many architectural journeys and served on various juries. He is currently attached as a lecturer to the Architectural Academy in Amsterdam.
The oeuvre of Herman Zeinstra was awarded in 2009 with the 'Oeuvreprijs Fonds BKVB Bouwkunst'.
> Read more
> Close
Liesbeth van der Pol
Liesbeth van der Pol (Amsterdam, 1959) graduated with honours from the TU Delft in 1988. In 1982 she studied for a year at the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona in Spain.
She took the post of Chief....
Liesbeth van der Pol (Amsterdam, 1959) graduated with honours from the TU Delft in 1988. In 1982 she studied for a year at the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona in Spain.
She took the post of Chief Government Architect (Rijksbouwmeester) in August 2008. Her appointment is for a period of three years. She fulfills her appointment part time and will remain associated with Dok Architecten .
Before and during her studies she was employed at various Dutch and foreign architectural practices. In 1989 she established herself as an independent architect in combination with Herman Zeinstra and Onno van den Berg.
In 1995 she set up Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol jointly with her partner Herman Zeinstra. The practice expanded rapidly and gained a reputation with a wide variety of projects, including housing and cultural and industrial buildings.
Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol and Blue Architects merged to become DOK architects in 2007, of which Liesbeth van der Pol stands at the head, together with Herman Zeinstra, Martin Fredriks, Ludo Grooteman and Gianni Cito.
Van der Pol’s work is characterised by attention to the location and user, power, colour and expression. Her buildings have distinct personalities. In her search for the character of the buildings she uses water colour drawings and sketches to bring out the core of the designs.
Besides her work as an architect, Van der Pol has been and is attached as a guest lecturer to various universities and academies, and she has served on numerous juries. She is the head of Man and Public Space at the Eindhoven Design Academy and participates regularly as a guest speaker in lectures, debates, conferences and workshops.
In 1992 Van der Pol received the Charlotte Köhler Prize for architecture from the Prince Bernhard Fund and in 1993 she was awarded the Maaskant prize for young architects in Rotterdam. Over the years she has received many more prizes, from prizes for the use of materials to prizes from the public.
She took the post of Chief Government Architect (Rijksbouwmeester) in August 2008. Her appointment is for a period of three years. She fulfills her appointment part time and will remain associated with Dok Architecten .
Before and during her studies she was employed at various Dutch and foreign architectural practices. In 1989 she established herself as an independent architect in combination with Herman Zeinstra and Onno van den Berg.
In 1995 she set up Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol jointly with her partner Herman Zeinstra. The practice expanded rapidly and gained a reputation with a wide variety of projects, including housing and cultural and industrial buildings.
Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol and Blue Architects merged to become DOK architects in 2007, of which Liesbeth van der Pol stands at the head, together with Herman Zeinstra, Martin Fredriks, Ludo Grooteman and Gianni Cito.
Van der Pol’s work is characterised by attention to the location and user, power, colour and expression. Her buildings have distinct personalities. In her search for the character of the buildings she uses water colour drawings and sketches to bring out the core of the designs.
Besides her work as an architect, Van der Pol has been and is attached as a guest lecturer to various universities and academies, and she has served on numerous juries. She is the head of Man and Public Space at the Eindhoven Design Academy and participates regularly as a guest speaker in lectures, debates, conferences and workshops.
In 1992 Van der Pol received the Charlotte Köhler Prize for architecture from the Prince Bernhard Fund and in 1993 she was awarded the Maaskant prize for young architects in Rotterdam. Over the years she has received many more prizes, from prizes for the use of materials to prizes from the public.
> Read more
> Close
Ludo Grooteman
Ludo Grooteman (Alkmaar, 1968) passed the first stage of his degree examination in philosophy at the University of Amsterdam in 1989. At the same time he started an architectural design course at the ....
Ludo Grooteman (Alkmaar, 1968) passed the first stage of his degree examination in philosophy at the University of Amsterdam in 1989. At the same time he started an architectural design course at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, where he gained his diploma in 1994.
He then studied at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, graduating in 1997.
After working at various architectural practices in Amsterdam and London, he established Blue Architects in 1999, together with Gianni Cito and Thomas Hildebrand. It was an international practice, with offices in Amsterdam and Zurich.
In 2001 Blue Architects gained public recognition after being awarded the first prize for the Superbowl project for the Prix de Rome for Architecture, the most important competition for young architects in the Netherlands.
Blue Architects Amsterdam and Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol merged to become Dok architects in 2007, with Gianni Cito, together with Ludo Grooteman, Liesbeth van der Pol, Herman Zeinstra and Martin Fredriks, at the head.
The work of Ludo Grooteman is characterised by a fresh and clear design style, inventive solutions and great attention to the detailing of the design. Active research, making use of architectural and 3D models, forms an insoluble part of the design process.
Besides his work as an architect, Ludo Grooteman has taught and continues to teach at various academies in the Netherlands and abroad and is a member of the Architectural Fund of the Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture [BKVB].
He then studied at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, graduating in 1997.
After working at various architectural practices in Amsterdam and London, he established Blue Architects in 1999, together with Gianni Cito and Thomas Hildebrand. It was an international practice, with offices in Amsterdam and Zurich.
In 2001 Blue Architects gained public recognition after being awarded the first prize for the Superbowl project for the Prix de Rome for Architecture, the most important competition for young architects in the Netherlands.
Blue Architects Amsterdam and Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol merged to become Dok architects in 2007, with Gianni Cito, together with Ludo Grooteman, Liesbeth van der Pol, Herman Zeinstra and Martin Fredriks, at the head.
The work of Ludo Grooteman is characterised by a fresh and clear design style, inventive solutions and great attention to the detailing of the design. Active research, making use of architectural and 3D models, forms an insoluble part of the design process.
Besides his work as an architect, Ludo Grooteman has taught and continues to teach at various academies in the Netherlands and abroad and is a member of the Architectural Fund of the Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture [BKVB].
> Read more
> Close
Martin Fredriks
Martin Fredriks (Amsterdam, 1967) gained his bachelor’s degree in architecture and construction at the engineering and technology college in Utrecht in 1991 and his master’s degree at the ....
Martin Fredriks (Amsterdam, 1967) gained his bachelor’s degree in architecture and construction at the engineering and technology college in Utrecht in 1991 and his master’s degree at the Architectural Academy in Amsterdam in 1999.
After working at various architectural practices in Amsterdam he started as a draughtsman and project leader at Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol in 1995. The practice expanded rapidly and gained a reputation with a wide variety of projects, including housing and cultural and industrial buildings. Fredriks worked his way up within the practice to project coordinator and became a manager and project architect in 2001.
Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol and Blue Architects merged to become DOK architects in 2007, of which Martin Fredriks stands at the head, together with Liesbeth van der Pol, Herman Zeinstra, Ludo Grooteman and Gianni Cito.
Fredriks concentrates mainly on the day-to-day management, business operations and project management.
In his designs, which include designs for housing and commercial and industrial buildings, he is constantly searching for a pragmatic tension.
Besides his work in architecture, Martin Fredriks was involved for many years with ‘Bouwen in de Beurs’ [Building in the Stock Exchange – architecture workshop for children] and he is active in the administrative field.
He is currently the practical portfolio examiner at the Architectural Academy in Amsterdam and a jury member of the Vitae Bouw award.
After working at various architectural practices in Amsterdam he started as a draughtsman and project leader at Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol in 1995. The practice expanded rapidly and gained a reputation with a wide variety of projects, including housing and cultural and industrial buildings. Fredriks worked his way up within the practice to project coordinator and became a manager and project architect in 2001.
Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol and Blue Architects merged to become DOK architects in 2007, of which Martin Fredriks stands at the head, together with Liesbeth van der Pol, Herman Zeinstra, Ludo Grooteman and Gianni Cito.
Fredriks concentrates mainly on the day-to-day management, business operations and project management.
In his designs, which include designs for housing and commercial and industrial buildings, he is constantly searching for a pragmatic tension.
Besides his work in architecture, Martin Fredriks was involved for many years with ‘Bouwen in de Beurs’ [Building in the Stock Exchange – architecture workshop for children] and he is active in the administrative field.
He is currently the practical portfolio examiner at the Architectural Academy in Amsterdam and a jury member of the Vitae Bouw award.
> Read more
> Close
NL | EN