Sascha Glasl
Co-founder
Space&Matter is an Amsterdam-based design studio that specialises in architecture, circular area development and vision-making
Space&Matter was founded in 2009 by Sascha Glasl, Tjeerd Haccou and Marthijn Pool. United by the desire to improve the world for their children and all future generations, their journey began with Water voor Wonen, a floating neighbourhood in the Dutch polder. This circular and innovative design not only won first place in a national competition but also sparked the creation of Space&Matter.
For over a decade, government officials, project developers and community leaders have turned to Space&Matter for innovative solutions to complex urban challenges. We love undertaking sustainable, unconventional and meaningful projects that connect people with each other and the built environment. Blending together insights from diverse disciplines and always putting the needs of people first, we are constantly pushing ourselves and the people around us to be better.
We are a dynamic and well-rounded team of designers, makers and thinkers that can deal with spatial and strategic projects and processes in all stages and scales. In fact, our team extends beyond the confines of our studio. Experience has taught us that the best and most sustainable innovations occur when we involve people from different disciplines who share our values. Over time, we’ve built several social ventures and regularly engage these to increase the scale and impact of our projects.
For over a decade, government officials, project developers and community leaders have turned to Space&Matter for innovative solutions to complex urban challenges
At Space&Matter, we believe that the most significant changes come from people and communities in particular. That’s why people are at the heart of everything we do. We co-create strategies, buildings and neighbourhoods with end-users to build strong and fair cities. Neighbourhoods are our preferred units of change because they’re the place where sustainability meets human experience. As waterfront experts, we’re especially excited about exploring buoyant solutions that provide resilience in the face of climate change. And as part of the Space&Matter ecosystem, we are contributing to the joint mission of realising 1.000.000 square metres within the Doughnut and rewilding an equal amount of nature by 2030.
People are at the heart of everything we do. We co-create strategies, buildings and neighbourhoods with end-users to build strong and fair cities
Co-founder
Sascha studied architecture at RWTH Aachen, graduated cum laude in 2007 and co-founded Space&Matter in Amsterdam in 2009 at the height of the economic crisis, creating projects when opportunities were scarce. Equally passionate about strategic design, innovative concepts and democratic development processes, Sascha focuses on implementing the principles of the Doughnut economy in the built environment. He initiated De Ceuvel and SWEETS Hotel, and played a leading role in shaping the plan for Schoonschip. He is currently exploring how Community Land Trusts in particular can accelerate this transition and focused on creating a comprehensive ecosystem that can increase the scale and impact of these past projects and achieve circular area development.
Co-founder
Tjeerd Haccou studied architecture at Delft University of Technology and at SCI-Arc in Los Angeles, and cofounded Space&Matter in 2009. He has an experimental ethos, using online and offline tools to bring together and empower communities so that they can assume leadership over the design of their own living environments. In this context, he pursues new financial and business models, as well as ventures that prioritise social good and inclusivity in the built environment. Tjeerd is interested in applying this participatory process at all scales of the urban domain, from individual household design to the plans for entire neighbourhoods.
Co-founder
Marthijn is Dutch architect and co-founder of Space&Matter. Driven by the desire to have a positive social and environmental impact, Marthijn pairs a theoretical and conceptual mindset with a hands-on approach to reimagine the role of the built environment beyond the spatial domain. He is especially excited about research-based projects that explore new urban concepts and wants above all else to create and share new knowledge.
Business Director
Floor combines a passion for creativity with a business mindset. With over 15 years of experience in managing design teams, she is driven to create the ideal circumstances at Space&Matter to execute projects with a positive impact on people and planet. Consistently striving to find solutions that deliver the best outcome for clients, partners, and the team.
Design Director
Barend holds an MSc in Architecture from the Delft University of Technology. His work in architecture, design and urbanism is about embracing the unpredictability of the future. He looks for systems or structures that can easily be adapted or reinterpreted in order to explore the freedom of space, time and movement. At Space&Matter, Barend assumes responsibility for the encouragement, guidance and support of our architects.
Financial Administrator
Nathaly has a degree in fashion and diverse managerial experience, working for organisations like the Venice Film Festival and overseeing tours across Europe. These life experiences lend themselves particularly well to the quick pace of the Space&Matter office. With over seven years of experience in the architectural field, Nathaly is the glue that holds the company together, assuming responsibility for everything from events to administration, finance to human resources.
Architect
Jetze studied architecture at TU Delft and at the Technical University Berlin. Having previously worked in a large architectural office, Jetze came to Space&Matter for its people-centred approach and dynamic work environment. He focuses on residential projects of various scales, has ample experience when it comes to collective private commissioning (CPO) projects and is particularly excited about the search for new ways of living. Outside of work, Jetze has been a guest lecturer at the IMC weekend school in Amsterdam, hosting workshops, lectures and site visits for underprivileged youths to further their understanding of career possibilities in architecture and urbanism.
Architect
Marta is a Polish architect who is primarily concerned with wellbeing and social good. She has abundant experience designing educational and healthcare facilities, residential projects and with the transformation of heritage buildings. Marta joined Space&Matter in 2019 and works on medium-scale housing projects as well as large-scale urban transformations. Recently, she has led two research and design studies on the future transformation of northern city districts for the City of Amsterdam.
Architect
Lidia studied architecture at Moscow Architectural University where she was enrolled in a programme that focused on innovation and sustainability. Lidia has worked in various places across Russia and Turkey, tackling everything from transformations to new constructions, from the scale of interior design to the planning of large industrial zones. At Space&Matter, Lidia’s focus has shifted from project execution to urban programming, her work rooted in research and driven by innovative concepts. She is passionate about ecology and the integration of nature within the built environment.
Research & Innovation Lead
Aga is a Polish architect and sustainability expert who has studied at Gdańsk University of Technology and the University of the Arts in Poznań. Inspired and driven by establishing a connection with nature, she is passionate about biobased material solutions, renewables and circular strategies for regenerative design. As a sustainability advisor with a background in architecture and urban design, Aga aims to improve social and environmental sustainability for all projects she is involved in. At Space&Matter, she acts as a bridge between research and practice in the fields of architecture and urban design. A holistic approach to design that includes both the perspective of people and the planet allows her to design better-performing buildings for clients and future communities.
Architect
Gabriela studied architecture in Venezuela, Madrid and Delft before moving to Poland to start her career as an architect. Her graduation project explored the reuse of ruins from the Bosnian war and was presented at an exhibition for the European capital of culture in Matera, Italy. This context-sensitive approach continues to define Gabriela’s work at Space&Matter. She works on projects of various scales and helps to ensure that the environmental, social and cultural program responds to the distinct needs of the area.
Architect
Bart received his architecture degree at the Delft University of Technology with an honourable mention. He gained over a decade of experience, working as project leader at OMA on various projects including Rijnstraat 8, Performing Arts School in Stockholm and BMW HQ Masterplan in Munich. Bart is attracted to designing in complex urban settings and is responsible for accelerating the pioneering circular projects of Space&Matter.
Graphic Designer
Bas has a degree in graphic design from the ArtEZ University of Arts and vast experience as a graphic designer, having developed brands for forward-thinking companies at Vandejong Creative Agency for several years. Upon realising that he was most interested in and passionate about meaningful design within the spatial domain, Bas decided to come work at Space&Matter. Interested in the overlap between architecture and graphic design, Bas creates visual designs for every outlet, develops concepts and helps maintain Space&Matter’s identity.
Architect
Ignacio studied Architecture in Valencia and co-founded a studio for the architectural visualisation of unbuilt architecture when he graduated. Ignacio has always been interested in the transitions between inside and outside spaces and is excited by the prospect of working on wooden constructions and innovative projects that push the envelope of traditional architecture. At Space&Matter, he carries the responsibility for the implementation of software that allows architects to create coordinated, consistent, and complete model-based designs and collaborate across teams, disciplines and timezones.
Architect
Inara studied architecture at the Moscow Architectural Institute and at the Shibaura Institute of Technology in Tokyo. She gained more international experience through her involvement with EASA - a young architects network that organises multi-disciplinary workshops throughout Europe and Central Asia. She is interested in architecture as an instrument in the creation of stories and atmospheres and sees the profession as an ongoing learning process. At Space&Matter, Inara assumes a broad role, working on projects from the concept phase to the point of execution.
Architect
Michał studied architecture and landscape architecture at Cracow University of Technology and has gained diverse work experience at design studios in Rotterdam, London and Beijing. At Space&Matter, he is propelled by the desire to learn about and apply new technologies, techniques and approaches in architecture. Michał excels in a dynamic environment that stimulates critical thinking, teamwork and consideration of the socio-ecological impact of design.
Technical Designer
Daniël is a technical designer who is committed to sustainably developing a safer built environment. Equipped with a wealth of architectural knowledge and many years of experience, Daniël works on projects from start to finish. When things get complicated, he uses his expertise and creativity to find simple, straightforward solutions that others might have missed. Daniël looks forward to working on even more projects that push the envelope of architecture.
Architect
Alex studied Architecture in Pamplona and gained experience in renowned practices in New York, Panama, Bilbao and Amsterdam. He easily moves in between different roles and phases, making him a versatile team member of Space&Matter. Alex is a strong visual communicator and likes to operate in the worlds of conceptual architecture, construction processes and plastic arts.
Architect
Davide studied architecture at the Polytechnic of Milan, before working there as an assistant professor. With a conceptual mindset, he likes to deconstruct and reconfigure ideas on a societal level. At Space&Matter he enjoys the freedom to explore new possibilities with aesthetic, environmental, and social impact within competition designs.
Operations Manager
Sander has studied philosophy, art history and creative business management at the University of Amsterdam and Avans University of Applied Sciences and likes to look at the design process from various perspectives. Both practical and analytical, Sander focuses on the relationship between people and processes. At Space&Matter, it is his mission to bring internal operations to a higher level, empowering the team to build the circular neighbourhoods of tomorrow.
Architect
Andrea studied architecture in Italy and Chile, before gaining professional experience in the Netherlands and co-founding an architectural practice that focuses on obsolescence and commons. He gravitates towards complex projects that challenge the status quo with a multidisciplinary approach. At Space&Matter Andrea takes this approach into competition designs that explore the potential of architecture to create communities within a circular economy.
Communications Manager
Tom studied architecture at Delft University of Technology, before keeping his finger on the pulse of the architectural media landscape as editor-in-chief of architecture website Archello. Tom is fascinated by uncovering the underlying social, economic, political and environmental processes behind urbanisation and tell stories about how Space&Matter reenvisions them to create circular neighbourhoods. Tom loves to introduce people to the work and purpose of Space&Matter and strategically linking the office’s ambition to its communications.
Strategic designer
Elvira studied Strategic Product Design at Delft University of Technology, before working on projects at the intersection of strategic design and area development. She believes strongly in the transformative power that well-designed buildings, neighbourhoods, and cities can have on people’s wellbeing and the natural ecosystem they are part of. Within Space&Matter Elvira combines research and practice in a holistic design approach towards urban design strategies and community-led initiatives.
Technical Designer
Stein is studying Technical Architecture at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and looking forward to completing his studies in the coming years. He is passionate about building in wood and developed this into an expertise in designing and detailing timber architecture. Stein joined Space&Matter because of his shared interest in the social and circular aspects of architecture and supports the team with his knowledge in the technical facets of the design process in combination with BIM.
Experience has taught us that the best and most sustainable innovations occur when we involve people from different disciplines who share our value
We offer an informal interdisciplinary work environment and the opportunity to work on exciting, transformative and meaningful projects. View our open vacancies here.
“This project is a fantastic initiative and collaboration between the city, the designer and the developer. The use of these existing, derelict buildings that were never meant to be habitable truly shows the power of design”
– Jury Dezeen Awards about SWEETS hotel