VISION M+R INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
OUR VISION ON ARCHITECTURE AND OUR WAY OF WORKING
At our interior architecture firm, we specialize in designing public spaces such as offices, theatres, airports, libraries, and catering establishments. We work within the tension between the grand, extroverted gestures of architecture and the intimate, personal spaces within. Our goal is to create inspiring, livable, and sustainable spaces where the well-being of the user always comes first.
So what do we as interior architects actually do, and what drives us? These are essential questions that guide our work and our vision on architecture. For us, design is about creating an environment that meets our emotional needs and corresponds to our culture. That's why our work is guided by the following cultural values:
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Brightness: the beauty of simplicity. We believe that less is more, and that powerful, pure designs stand the test of time.
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Quality: value that lasts. We build what will last, and the strength of a strong design lies in vision, innovation, and the quality of execution.
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Personality: the authentic character of a project. This emerges from the context of the assignment and the identity of the client, and we are deeply committed and involved in our projects.
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Inspiration: the basis of what we design and the result we want to achieve. Inspiration moves us all and affects everyone involved in the creation and use of the buildings, interiors, and products.
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Intuitive: the natural balance between man and nature, and the needs that each individual has in their environment that architecture can fulfill.
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These cultural values align with the basic needs of space, comfort, security, expression, and connection. We believe that space is about experiencing freedom in an environment, the ability to 'breathe' with the presence of light and air creating a spacious feeling and the right climate. Well-designed spaces on a human scale offer comfort, the right feeling in material, sound, and color.
The sense of security in a room and feeling at ease in an environment is the experience of tranquility, comfort, and interaction. Expression catches our attention and stimulates us, promoting creativity and insight. Connection is the relationship between spaces, both indoors and outdoors, stimulating interaction between people and creating an adventurous experience within spaces and beyond.
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At our interior architecture firm, we strive to create public spaces that are not only beautiful and functional but also meet these basic needs and cultural values. Contact us today to learn more about how we can bring our vision to your project.
01.
THE TALK
For us, design means first and foremost: listening very carefully. Listening to the client and all parties involved. What is what our client wants? What is the 'question behind the question'? What interests are involved, what wishes and needs? Then we also listen carefully to ourselves. What do we think? What does our experience say? Is what the client wants correct, are better solutions possible? We will discuss all these issues. Our profession is listening, feeling, analyzing, organizing and ultimately translating the question into an innovative solution.
02.
THE COHERENCE
Our projects are often complex assignments, interior architecture on a large scale. We approach every project from an architectural perspective. We analyze the functions and uses of the building and investigate how best to arrange them within the given space. We can propose architectural interventions to optimally connect the interior spaces to function and use: stairs, an entrance, a passage or intermediate floor are added or moved. We work from a total concept for the entire project. All elements of the interior and exterior must ultimately form a whole, with every detail geared to the desired result: from climate control, acoustics to the door handles and from the lighting to the carpet design.
03.
LIGHT, RHYTHM & COLOR
To bring order to all parts of a room, light, rhythm and color are our most important tools. Natural daylight is essential for the experience of the interior spaces and should be able to do its work unobstructed as much as possible, supplemented with artificial light where necessary. Light gives depth and contrast to a room. It emphasizes the shapes and rhythm of architectural elements. Light in combination with rhythm and refined use of color and material makes a space come to life.
04.
THE HUMAN SIZE
The user is central to our designs. How does a person (visitor, employee, resident) experience the space, do they feel safe and at ease? The exterior is the shell covering the interior space; the usable space, conserves. The use is the main purpose of the space. That is why the interior is so important: this is where the human scale is created. Our office's work ultimately revolves around creating a 'second skin' in buildings, the environment with which people come into direct contact, which is experienced most strongly. Spaces should feel pleasant and safe. To achieve this, you need to make sure that a space is completely self-explanatory. It must be recognizable as soon as you enter it, you must be able to find your way (cognitively) immediately. Everything has to be right for this: lighting, acoustics, climate control, routing, color and material. Well-chosen shapes, colors and sustainable materials also ensure that an environment has a positive effect on people.
05.
DURABILITY
Sustainability is becoming a container concept, but that does not detract from its importance. In our opinion, the most obvious interpretation of sustainability is: setting up projects that also benefit the client in the long term. For this, (honest) material, finish and detailing are very important. In an ecological sense, we strive for an optimally sustainable end product. This means that we (re)use as many materials as possible that do not burden the environment and natural resources as little as possible and that we look for energy-neutral solutions for lighting and climate systems, for example. Sustainable and innovative form an excellent combination, provided you think through and work out the solutions in detail. M+R has extensive experience in the field of sustainability in projects: Breeam (excellence); Sorrow; the natural step; Cradle to Cradle etc.
06.
REVITALIZATION
What could be more sustainable than repurposing an existing building? In outdated urban areas, a new use of existing buildings can lead to wonderful developments. These opportunities should be used much more. This type of project is a challenge for our office. This is where we find the most complex issues that we love to deal with. Revitalizing existing buildings requires inventiveness and innovative capacity. When renovating and repurposing monuments, the starting point is always to leave the historical and architectural quality intact as much as possible. The adjustments are added to the building as a kind of 'build-in package'. Sometimes harmonizing, sometimes contrasting but never competing with the original base. Not only beautiful monuments lend themselves to such an approach. Many dated and often unattractive accommodations can also be transformed into modern and attractive buildings.
07.
FLEXIBILITY
The modern organization is evolving. A key concept here is flexibility: suppleness, bendability. In a metaphorical sense, it is used as a characteristic of a person, an organization or a building. It represents the ability to adapt effortlessly when the situation calls for it. Today, anyone can work anywhere, aided by the continuous development of communication tools. Rigid office spaces are no longer appropriate. Innovative working requires a different working environment. For example, you can think of organizing workspaces based on activities: concentrated work in a quiet room, consultations in a meeting room, brainstorming in an inspiring room, and working from home can also be included in such a concept. The flexible design of workplaces also offers organizations the opportunity to use space more efficiently. In order for the concept to work in practice, the interior design must support the new functions as well as possible, but without in turn imposing too rigid an arrangement. Indeed, flexible.
08.
THE INTERIOR ARCHITECT AS DIRECTOR
Complex projects require very good cooperation. With the client, but also with contractors, installers and consultants. As an interior architect, you must take all interests into account and at the same time stand for your own vision. We see our role as initiator, inspirer and central point of contact in this dynamic whole. The one who has an overview of all facets and interests, who can switch from the construction of a new entrance to the color of the tiles on the toilet, and above all: the one who can represent that of the user amidst all the different voices. In our experience, a good interior architect is a director who ultimately knows how to forge all disciplines into one whole.
