Mark Spijkerman
Architect
'To me, architecture is so much more than a profession. A good architectural design stems from love, passion, and complete dedication.'
Although I officially joined Paul de Ruiter Architects as an architect in 2020, I knew fifteen years earlier that this was where I wanted to work one day. I’m fascinated by technology, and this firm has always been at the forefront of developing innovative solutions to make architecture more sustainable. That forward-thinking approach to design truly speaks to me. After completing my degree in Architectural Engineering in 2006, I moved to Barcelona, where I worked as a technical designer at Alonso Balaguer Arquitectes. I quickly became the right hand of one of the partners—my drive was noticed and appreciated. I was given more opportunities to move from form studies into the graphical, architectural aspects of the projects. That’s when I realized my heart truly lay with architecture. I returned to the Netherlands to pursue my architectural degree at the Academy of Architecture in Amsterdam and gained experience at several renowned firms during my studies. When I joined Paul de Ruiter Architects, it felt like the perfect fit. Here, I can further explore the role of technology in realizing sustainable buildings.