Projects
Designed
Over the years, the SVESMI team has created a wide range of private and public spaces, overseeing all stages of the production process — from research and conceptual development to design, construction, and post-occupancy studies. The selection below presents architectural and urban design projects that were either self-initiated or developed through direct commissions from both private companies and public-sector clients, with a focus on the last decade of SVESMI’s work.
Curatorial projects are a key part of SVESMI’s practice. Curating — and, in some cases, designing — exhibitions for a range of architectural and art shows enables us to more clearly articulate our professional trajectory within the broader field. Every exhibition is also an opportunity to invite artists and architects we admire into an open discussion about the possibilities and limits of architecture. Perhaps most importantly, we view exhibitions as fantastic territories for critical and design thinking, where the team can engage with — or even challenge — the public and receive immediate feedback, often more directly than through an architectural project.
Conversation is one of our favourite forms of creative practice. That is why both cultural and educational programming is so central to SVESMI’s work. With each programme — whether a one-day symposium or an international master’s course — we try to create a unique metaphysical space for intellectual exchange and uninhibited discussion of the topics we consider important. All programmes listed below are also deeply linked to SVESMI’s design and academic projects.
SVESMI is strategically positioned as an office for architecture, urbanism, and education. For us, education is never an afterthought; it is always an integral part of our design agenda. We deliberately develop educational programmes and specific studios as temporary zones of shared inquiry, where we collaborate with students and experiment with formats of collective learning. It is therefore no surprise that the majority of SVESMI employees first engaged with the office as students. Below, we highlight some of the significant master’s studios we have led over the past 15 years in Vienna, Amsterdam, and Delft.
Architecture of the Heavens Off-Grid The Smallest Spatial Unit Solo Space Silver Quarter Eurohigh Vertical Village Leisure CitySVESMI partners have always been intrigued by the relationship between research and design in contemporary architecture. While we clearly distinguish between purely academic studies and project-based research that reinforces concepts and supports ideation, we favour a specific architectural approach to understanding sites, territories, and socio-cultural contexts. As designers, we often perceive value where others may not and recognise potentials that remain invisible to most; research allows us to substantiate and communicate our claims, especially in projects that we initiate ourselves.
Port Water Block Shrinking Cities New Library
Participation in competitions has always been part of SVESMI’s routine, particularly at the outset of our practice. Despite the current skepticism surrounding the culture of design competitions, we can clearly trace how the grants and awards we have received over the years contributed to our professional recognition and helped establish our partnership as an international practice. Below, we list some of our most significant competition wins since the founding of the office.
Visiting Dual Professorship,
Vienna Academy of Fine Arts
Chair Geography Landscape Cities
Open Call 2023, Institute for Art and Architecture
Final selection
Together Alone, Curatorial proposal (exhibition, programme, publication)
Open Call 2023, Tallinn Architecture Biennale
Grant (three-year programme)
Inclusive Cities and Societies Through Design
Open Call 2019, Cultural Industries Funds NL
First prize
Reconstruction of the Warsaw Cinema Complex
Organiser: ADG Group
International Design Competition, 2016
First prize
Reconstruction of the Voshod Cinema Complex
Organiser: ADG Group
International Design Competition, 2016
Final selection
in collaboration with Juurlink+Geluk, NL
Reconstruction of the Kazan Lakes site
Organiser: City of Kazan
International Design Competition, 2016
First prize
in collaboration with Frits van Dongen/ Patrick Koshuth, NL
Residential quarter, category: low density
Organiser: A 101
International Design Competition, 2014
First prize
in collaboration with Frits van Dongen/ Patrick Koshuth, NL
Residential quarter, category: medium density
Organiser: A 101
International Design Competition, 2014
Second prize
in collaboration with ARUP, NL
Northwich Cultural Centre
Organiser: RIBA
International Design Competition, 2009