DaF-architecten, has been active in Rotterdam since 1996. It was set up by Daan Bakker, Catherine Visser and Paul van der Voort, all three educated as architect at the Delft University. Before entering full time in partnership we were project architects in firms like Rapp+Rapp, KCAP and Maxwan. The range of our work extends to all aspects of spatial design, from interiors and exhibitions to urban concepts. Moreover we are involved in research and theory in our field and we are frequently asked as guest teachers for several academies and universities in the Netherlands.
Architecture and urbanism changed from directive ‘top down’ disciplines into a media that is representing contradictory fears, hopes and tastes of a wide variety of people, groups and instances. It is within this shifting framework that we work, using our autonomous role as spatial designer.
With every project we do, we try to develop an original, not-dogmatic approach. Each project is a specific translation of the assignment in its surroundings, with its own shaping. This means that our work is characterised by a large degree of heterogeneity.
Examples of recent projects are a sports centre in Amsterdam and a health centre near Schiphol, both internationally published, a book about the Limes, the former border of the Roman Empire, and the exhibition design of IAB2 and IAB3.