The architecture of Soeters Van Eldonk architecten is characterized by the use of widely differing styles, sometimes historical, sometimes symbolic, sometimes modern: we seek to find a solution for each building that fits best with its location and function. In our quest we consider not only the functional requirements but also how the character of the project can be expressed: a library looks different from an indoor playground, a theatre has different requirements from a children's day centre. The building’s function, the context and the history of the location have a major influence on the ultimate visual design.

Architecture enables you to create good buildings, but this alone does not make for good quality public space. Sometimes architecture is too limited a tool to answer the question or solve the problem. Interaction between town planning and architecture, between (a) the urban context from which a building derives its strength and (b) the buildings that serve as building blocks to form streets, courts and squares, plays a crucial role in any design.

Interaction between the architect or urban planner, the client, consultants and other people involved in the design process is vital. The more everyone involved contributes their expertise, the better the final design will meet the requirements. Interactive meetings are organized to take a critical look at the latest drawings and sketches, thus not only making the design clearer but also formulating the question more clearly: each new design produces fresh insights and a better definition of the problem. Right from the start the plans are arrived at in close collaboration with everyone involved, so everyone is highly committed to them. Any problems in the further course of the process can often be avoided by careful listening and talking and by involving government and other bodies, experts and users in the process at the right times. This results in plans that command the faith not only of the architect or urban planner but of all concerned.

Maintaining quality is very important. It is important not to be swept away by the euphoria of the first sketch of a building or urban development plan; the entire process, right down to choosing the last screw, is what counts. By remaining involved throughout the process we ensure that quality and the objectives are maintained. Soeters Van Eldonk architecten supervises the various architects responsible for enhancing the original idea behind the plan as the detailed design evolves. Dialogue is very important here too. The firm aims to act as the architect of the urban development plan at all times, not to get bogged down in producing abstract plans. As we are actively involved at all levels of scale, we do not have to take a step backwards when someone else brings in fresh ideas but can continue to build on the knowledge out of which the plan has grown. Each subsequent step enriches and refines the plan as a whole.

In many cases urban development plans are too abstract, with the result that the architects do not have enough information to go on and there is a risk that the detailed designs may have serious consequences for the urban planning objectives that have been set. This is particularly the case with large-scale, complex projects. At Soeters Van Eldonk architecten we develop urban development plans with imagination and great precision and are able to bridge the gap between town planning and architecture. Vital and complex components are developed separately so that the architects have something to hold onto. Most buildings serve a public space and form part of a larger whole without losing their identity. A single building has a conspicuous position within the plan and needs to be more expressive. By anticipating the architect’s approach and stating the function of a building within the overall plan at an early stage the supervisor, using a detailed ‘visual quality plan’, can guide the architects so that they not only translate the original idea behind the plan into bricks and mortar but even give it an added dimension.

We take a critical stance, aiming at high quality. We at Soeters Van Eldonk architecten are able to supply tailored solutions to complex and dynamic problems, and not only thanks to our wide experience as an architect, urban planner and supervisor: our active involvement in the process, the way we generate support, our guarantee of quality and our feeling for scale and perception are major elements in this too.