Dordrecht architecture firm celebrates 50th anniversary 

'Our work is for people, with people, by people'

It is one of the most innovative and knowledge-intensive architecture firms in the Netherlands: EGM architecten. The leading firm, based in Dordrecht, with a sweeping view of the Oude Maas River, has realized many progressive and innovative buildings in both the cure and care sectors. This year EGM celebrates its 50th anniversary. Reason enough for an anniversary party.

EGM architecten was formed in 1974 from a merger between the offices of Gerard Gerritse, the Dordrecht half, and those of Wout Eijkelenboom and Bram Middelhoek from Rotterdam. When they were commissioned to design the first university hospital in the Netherlands (now UMC Utrecht), they knew that their chances of winning would increase if they worked together. It turned out to be a golden opportunity and also the springboard to becoming a design specialist for schools, hospitals and health care institutions.

Looking Back

Partners, employees, clients and other relations were treated to a celebration at the Fenixloods in Rotterdam on September 13 with an enchanting musical opening to the substantive program. Astrid Joosten, host of the day, looked back on their most special memories with four (former) employees. Later, two clients shared their experiences with the agency: Teun Wartenbergh of ASML and Rob Wouters of Oogcentrum Noord-Holland. ASML was looking for a place where 4,000 employees could be creative and relax in a nature-friendly environment. That wish came to life in a high-tech building with lots of daylight, climate and sound control. "By designing four buildings connected by a green plaza, EGM met our demand for an office where hard work and optimal relaxation go hand in hand, but which is also suitable for reuse in the future," says Wartenbergh. 

Ophthalmologist Rob Wouters was looking for new construction in Heerhugowaard to provide the best eye care in the Netherlands. "The design had to reinforce our identity, be welcoming and above all sustainable. I wanted no cars visible in front of the door." These wishes resulted in a light, energy-neutral building and parking hidden behind an earth wall, making the building stand on a green mound, with a patio full of plants in the middle. Says Wouters, "No matter where you are inside, everywhere you look out onto the greenery."

Impact & specialization

Joosten then entered into a conversation with EGM's current partners about their views on current social issues. Willemineke Hammer reflected on the impact of the UMC Utrecht project on EGM. "This project, in addition to knowledge and expertise, is about humanity. The attention with which the UMC was designed at the time is embedded in our DNA. This project is the source for the dozens of hospitals we have built worldwide, including Erasmus MC. Building hospitals is only possible with interdisciplinary cooperation. That's right up our alley." Arnold Sikkel explained why EGM is a specialist in the healthcare sector: "With EGM, we put a lot of energy into knowledge to stay innovative and have invested in our own department: EGM r&d. A major challenge is how we can continue to provide appropriate and affordable care for a growing group of elderly people and shrinking care staff. This is what we are trying to answer. This kind of research gives you an edge."

Knowledge & Total Engineering

"Our craftsmanship is reflected in the strong engineering side combined with architecture, for which the foundation was laid 50 years ago," Vincent Ketting told us. "We want to be and remain a total agency. Ten years ago we founded Powered by EGM. With this label, we work out designs for other market players. It is no coincidence that this celebration takes place in this building, the Fenix hangar. Fenix I was our first project to transfer our technical knowledge to others. Fenix II is now being transformed into a museum with a spectacular viewpoint. We are providing structural engineering for the entire plan as co-architects."

Speaking about Total Engineering, Arno van Schaik said, "This is increasingly requested by clients. We offer a broad package, from concept to calculation. This makes us the single and coordinating point of contact for our client, whom we can thus also unburden completely. Within Total Engineering we are also responsible for other consultants. Together we create an optimal and integral design." 

Continuity & AI

"Over the past 50 years, nearly 1,200 people have worked at EGM," Roemer Pierik told me. "Building continuity is our top priority. We are constantly adapting to keep meeting the demand that clients place on us. At the same time, we listen carefully to our own people. What our younger generation says can sometimes be quite confrontational. However, I believe that if you are open to that, you do the right things together. The continuity of EGM is in the inclusiveness of all of us."

Daniel van de Berg sees a bright future for AI in architecture: "Working digitally has long been the norm. Processing data and working with datasets - the basis of AI - is very common for our young generation. It's in our DNA to embrace AI. If you stay honest about the source, you can deploy it beautifully. Our work is for people, with people, by people. We still make buildings by hand, from the first idea to the last proverbial brick. For everything in between, AI is a useful tool."

After the content part, toasts were made and all attendees enjoyed the festive evening.