The Stijlgroep Team
Paul van Wijk – managing partner/
landscape architect bnt
When I started out in the eighties things couldn’t be worse. The Netherlands were experiencing a great recession. I didn’t want my education to be wasted so me and a couple of study-friends literally started out with a shovel and our bare hands. But with a world of ideas! These humble beginnings have taught me to respect and appreciate the value and potential even more. This blog is not about promoting ourselves but to further engaging a dialogue in sharing our vision that landscape is leading!
Tom Reynders – managing partner/
ir. architect – urban planner
During the past 10 years I have worked on a variety of schemes in the field of architecture and urban design. My Assignments have varied in scale as well as in type: from micro to macro scale, from furniture design to spatial design for a residential area.
When it comes to design issues I am seeking for the unique character as the base for a design that offers a special experience. Careful research, analysis and an interdisciplinary approach of urban and industrial landscape, architecture and urban design result in high quality projects full of innovative ideas. The transformation into a sustainable development will generate an added value at various fields. I am convinced the interdisciplinary expertise and creativity of Stijlgroep will achieve the best possible result for every single project.
Christophe Cornille – landscape designer
I joined Stijlgroep after a succesfull internship during my studies at the University of applied sciences in Gent-Melle (Belgium) where I graduated with honours. I have had the privilege to design various projects including: Grasduinen Bredene (Belgium), “de Verademing” a inner-urban redevelopment in the Hague and the Patio for the University of Rotterdam. I am currently studying at the Rotterdam academy for Architecture in pursuit of my masters in Urban Planning.
Gertjan Smits – technical consultant
I am Gertjan Smits, trained as a technical consultant at the van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences. I have gained a great deal of ‘hands on’ experience working as a planner for a large gardener/landscaper. I like the challenge to complete a design within the visual, technical and financial framework.
Christian Hahn - landscape architect
I gained a wide range of expertise throughout my carrier. After finishing my study in Germany I worked for a London based office on a variety of schemes in the UK; I focused on complex roof deck construction including prominent hot spots such as Wembley. Having studied in Arnhem and worked as intern in Enschede I have always been attracted and fascinated by the Dutch landscape and its pure and strong appearance. Since two years I am working at Stijlgroep landscape and urban design as a landscape architect. Next to my daily project related work I push the boundaries in search of new method to translate concept and design in strong and appealing graphics, which has been an import asset ever since.
Peter Van Bever – technical engineer
After finishing my study as architectural assistant in Brugge I was driven through my fascination for the position of the buildings in the landscape and continued my studies in the field of landscape architecture in Gent. With my passion for architecture, urban planning on one hand and landscape on the other hand, I found in Stijlgroep the perfect work environment to enhance my interests. After a successful internship I started my professional carrier at Stijlgroep nine years ago. Since then I became as the overall genie the hinge between technical and design department being involved in works of both.
Carola van Bennekom – urban designer
Fascinated by watching an accelerated video about the construction and development of a city on a study-orientation day I started studying Urban Planning. A widely orientated education in which I got the chance to experience different aspects of the profession such as research, design, law and finance. To make me more proficient in creating and shaping my own vision, I started a specialisation in urban design at the Technical University. In practice I especially like the dynamic aspects of the job. Every assignment is different because of the variations in scale, subject, location and people you work with. It ‘s a challenge to create the best possible solution which takes all point of views into account. A beautiful job in which we try to create a better environment and society for everyone.
Lars den Os – technical consultant
After my graduation at the Larenstein University of applied sciences in 2007, I joined Stijlgroep on a full-time basis as a technical consultant. Creating solutions for technical and design challenges have my special interest and make my job interesting. Even though I’m schooled as a engineer I also have a interest for graphic design. Creating booklets, presentations and logo’s are pleasurable variations in my work.
In general I can say that supporting and collaborating with designers and clients in realizing a quality product is my ‘way to go’.
Christian Messing – manager design
I enjoyed my studies urban planning at the technical university of Delft, always combined with actual working at various offices and municipalities. I am fascinated by the many fields of urbanism I eventually majored in two extremities within the field; regional planning and urban design. I have been closely involved realizing projects from both ends of the table. As an external advisor and civil servant. Working both fields helped realize the importance of collaboration. Collaboration eventually leads to better products and helps create value. This means keeping your ear to the ground and using all your senses. At Stijlgroep I have found an answer to the question how to handle public space as a tool for an improved environment. Not for myself but for people who live there. My ambition as an urbanist exceeds the perimeters of the profession. Even more often my role as a mediator and generator of ambition between stakeholders gains importance. This is in my opinion the core-value of my profession; connecting people in a process of realizing a great plan!
Rokus Groeneveld – manager technology
My passion for construction and technical details motivated me to get into the technical part of landscape architecture. After my education and study in Boskoop i joined Stijlgroep in 1991: from the position of a technical draftsman i grew into the position of teamleader for our technical department. My enthusiasm for landscape and nature takes me regularly into foreign countries (such as Chile, Cambodia, Namibia and North Korea… just to name a few). Nowadays i enjoy the landscape mostly under water on the ‘hunt’ for underwater life.
Elmar van Bijsterveld – technical consultant
My name is Elmar van Blijsterveld and I am working for Stijlgroep for quite a time now. After finishing my study at the International University of Larenstein I have started here as technical staff member. Since then my function changed from being a draftsman to becoming a project leader on a variety of schemes. What really fascinates me about my own profession is the fact that as soon as the onsite construction is starting we can see the first results of all our efforts.
Mark Machielsen – Architectural designer
My name is Mark Machielsen and I am a technically educated architect in training. After completing both the MBO and HBO in the compartement engineering I started in 2008 with my Master of Architecture at the Academy of Architecture and Urbanism in Tilburg. I expect to graduate in mid 2012. My interest is in the two areas of ‘experience’ and ‘connections’. I try to put myself in the perspective of the user and to design for his specific needs and wishes. Establishing connections between landscape, urbanism and architecture is another design paradigm of mine. On this basis I develope concepts in various scales varying from the smallest details to large development plans.
Joan Blijd – financial management
The switch ten years ago from accountancy to the creative industry has suited me well. There is a completely different dynamic as well as a great deal of contact with clients, and that means that, as a staff member responsible for finance, I feel like a valuable member of the team. No one project progresses in the same way and that means that the way in which the project is approached and the financial processes vary. An overall view is something I like to have available to me at all times.
