After completing his internship at Brightside, both parties agreed: we would like to keep working together! Since then, Pieter has grown into a highly valued and fully-fledged team member, with consistent and strong dedication. Pieter often takes on a versatile role; whether he's jumping in to help during the critical final stages of a tender submission, assisting colleagues with modeling tasks, or playing a key role in the refinement and elaboration of designs, his flexibility and skill are indispensable to our team. As he gains more and more experience, his tendency to always work hard and deliver precise results has earned him the nickname “the steam locomotive”. In addition to his work attitude, Pieter is always friendly, easy-going and ready for a laugh. It's no wonder we're glad he is on the team! When not at work, Pieter loves to travel and hike with his friends, or spend time with his family in the weekends.

Anouk once came to Brightside to rid our 'green office jungle' of a persistent plague of thrips. After finishing the job, she joined us for lunch and casually told us that she is actually an art director and marketer. From that moment on, Anouk is responsible for our PR, social media and online presence. In addition to a bachelor's degree in 'creative marketing and sales', Anouk studied 'art and culture management' at the Willem de Kooning Academy: a creative person with business flair. Her background is reflected in her working method at Brightside: Anouk guards our 'aesthetic presence' with verve, but at the same time ensures that we appear as approachable and sympathetic as we actually are...;-). In her spare time we find her wandering through museums and galleries, looking for talent and inspiration.

Ivor joined Brightside Architects during studies at Delft University of Technology, initially as an intern. Now, while completing his minor, he continues to be a vital member of our team. Reflecting on his start with us, Ivor said, "You learn a lot at university, but not much about the inner workings of an architectural firm. I was eager to gain practical experience!" Since then, his contributions have exceeded all expectations. From assisting with designs and creating 3D printed models to coordinating and overseeing on-site work, Ivor has quickly proven himself indispensable. He also played a crucial role in our recently completed rebranding project. In his spare time you can find Ivor on the hockey field as a player, or as a coach of the new generation, but often also next to the line with a beer in hand. We cheered on Ivor at the finish as he completed his first Rotterdam marathon!

Right after earning his master's degree in Architecture from the Delft University of Technology, Olaf ventured 'down under' to gain years of valuable experience in the field - before returning to the Netherlands and firmly establishing himself at Brightside three years ago. An intuitive designer known for his ability to listen and transform complex architectural challenges into functional and inventive solutions, he is able to move from idea to fullfletched design in a matter of weeks - often in quick succession! Olaf thrives in collaborative settings, enjoys mentoring colleagues and is known for his easygoing nature and sharp sense of humor - his blend of ambition, modesty, and boundless curiosity making him not only a valuable asset to our team, but also delightful company. Outside of the office, he can be found exploring Rotterdam’s vibrant culinary scene, visiting museums - often accompanied by his girlfriend -or traveling with one of his close-knit circles of friends.

With almost a decade of dedicated work on the team, Merel has established herself as both a seasoned architect and a trusted Brightside veteran. Over the years, Merel has contributed to an extensive array of projects, ranging from upscale residential developments to the transformation of historic landmarks. Besides her architectural expertise, she possesses a profound understanding of the construction process, making her an instrumental part of bringing Brightside's visions to life- in her role as construction manager often leaving contractors in awe of her technical prowess and keen insights. Within our team, Merel manages some of our most challenging projects, acts as the primary liaison for Firma230, and is Maarten and Sander's right (and sometimes left) hand. This strong spirit extends to her private life, where she casually takes the lead in communicating with contractors and coordinating with fellow residents of her future appartment. How does one woman manage to do all of this at once? We are often left to wonder... To relax, she enjoys being with friends and exploring the country by train with her boyfriend.

Maarten founded Brightside (then Personal Architecture ) in 2005, right after obtaining the dual master’s degrees in both Architectural Design and Real Estate Management at the Delft University of Technology - a testament to his thriving on challenges and his tendency to never shy away from risk. His strategic focus on long-term objectives, entrepreneurial mindset and passion for innovation have played a pivotal role in the firm's growth and success in the past two decades. Maarten places a high value on both professional and personal development within his team, actively fostering an environment that encourages collaboration, support, and continuous growth. He is dedicated to advancing the industry at large, continually seeking ways to enhance its impact on our surroundings - his certification as a Passive House Designer and his years of service as vice president of the BNA (Royal Institute of Dutch Architects), are just two examples of this commitment on various levels. During the weekends, Maarten can be found working on his own building projects - recently completing his fourth home in a decade - or visiting the zoo with his two young daughters.

With a bachelor’s degree and a cum laude master’s from TU Delft, Coen combines strong technical skills with a distinct design talent. After gaining experience at leading architecture firms both in the Netherlands and abroad, he joined Brightside to further his passion for innovative architecture. Coen is responsible for the technical development of our projects, plays a key role in architectural design, and has quickly become a vital link in advancing our BIM standards and technological innovations. Outside the office, Coen enjoys the gym, mountain biking, and exploring the city with his camera. He values time with friends and family, and is soon to embark on a new adventure with his fiancée.

Sander is a talented architect with a knack for resolving complex spatial challenges with remarkable ease. He translates rough ideas into lucid sketches – more often than not, upside-down and backwards and mid-conversation. As partner and co-founder of Brightside, Sander ensures that each project fulfills our client’s needs and wishes, from the early conceptual phase through to technical detailing. He is both creative and thorough in his approach, leading the team team to explore numerous options before whittling their way down to a single, bold design. Like no other, Sander knows how to narrate the essence of our designs to his audience - taking them on a captivating journey from the initial concept to the final details. Just like that, Sander persuades a welfare committee—strictly guarding a plan's historical values— to embrace Brightside's vision for the transformation of a national monument's facade… In his free time, Sander and his partner Joost enjoy taking their Podenco's, Raf and Peer, to explore the city. His shrewd eye for real estate development opportunities has transformed a casual stroll with the dogs into a full-blown development initiative more than once!

Sabine is a seasoned Technical Designer with nearly 20 years of experience, ranging from transformation projects to large-scale new builds. A true team player—meticulous, eager to learn, and loyal—she’s a perfect fit for the 'Brightside DNA'. At Brightside, Sabine oversees the technical detailing of our projects and critically assesses the feasibility of our designs, ensuring our architects are challenged to deliver the best possible results. She is an enthusiastic and patient mentor for our younger BIM Modellers and is always looking for ways to further optimize our workflow. In her free time, Sabine creates art, volunteers at the hospital, explores medical technology innovations, and, above all, enjoys spending time with her husband and children.

Axel enjoys figuring out how things can be improved — whether it’s a building detail, a workflow, or a digital tool. Trained as an architect, he worked on a wide variety of projects—from complex heritage renovations to new housing developments—often meeting demanding deadlines and high client expectations. Alongside his project work, he gradually took on a more technical role behind the scenes — developing internal tools, introducing new workflows, and helping shape Brightside’s digital foundation. Recently, he began a new adventure as a Business Analyst in the non-profit housing sector, where he applies his experience in strategy, analysis, and digital transformation to drive positive social impact. He can still be found at Brightside on a weekly basis, now focusing on providing strategic advice on BIM management and digital innovation. In his spare time, Axel can be found with friends, engrossed in a good book — or hanging upside down in the boulder gym.