Carsten Hilgendorf

Carsten brings a wealth of international experience to Paul de Ruiter Architects. His architectural journey began in Germany, where he completed his Architecture studies in the late 1990s, after which he broadened his horizons in the Netherlands and Australia. In Australia, he was confronted with the challenges of buildings that were completely uninsulated but simultaneously filled with air conditioners, which sparked his fascination with healthy, climate-adaptive architecture. Inspired by the sustainable approach he had already encountered in the Netherlands, he returned to Europe in 2003. Here, he worked for more than eleven years at Wiel Arets Architects and later founded HOH Architects, focusing on timber construction, working with existing buildings, and circular building methods. Since the end of 2024, he has joined Paul de Ruiter Architects, drawn by the shared vision of integral architecture, where sustainability and detailed craftsmanship go hand in hand.

Carsten believes in a holistic approach where urban planning, landscape architecture, materiality, detailing, as well as process, technology, and feasibility are all in balance. He sees synergy between young and experienced talent as essential to developing innovative and sustainable architecture. "The interaction between young and old ensures that everyone learns from each other, and together you create more." He is excited about how younger colleagues are delving into AI and sustainability and how this can enrich architecture.

"Paul de Ruiter Architects is a mixed team, with the right balance between experience and innovation. The atmosphere is very good, and the firm has a strong vision. I look forward to contributing further to a strong team with innovative and sustainable projects."