Peter van Assche

After beginning his career in science and experimental mathematics, Peter van Assche transitioned into architecture and is now the founding principal of bureau SLA, an Amsterdam–based architecture firm. As an office, bureau SLA consists of a team of architects and builders, supported by architectural historians, landscape architects, and energy experts. The studio does not wait for commissions to be given but builds and develops in the city in an innovative way — from their own initiatives and with their own manpower. With this trial and error mentality, van Assche discovers the full potential of material use, energy, waste flows, smart living and working, and development processes. Van Assche is the chairman of the Committee for Architectural Review and Monuments in Utrecht, supervisor architecture for the Utrecht station area, and professor Architecture and Circular Thinking at the Academy of Architecture Amsterdam. He received a Master of Information Technology (cum laude) from the Technical University Eindhoven and obtained his architecture degree from the Rotterdam Academy of Architecture.

Academic Research/Specialty Areas

  • Adaptive reuse
  • Architectural design
  • Sustainability

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Classes (Selected)

  • ARCH 4101/4102/5101/5116/7113 Option Studio: Arcadian AnthropoceneAdvanced programs in architectural design, with options in, but not limited to, urban design, architectural technology, computational design, ecology, culture, and representation.

Awards, Grants, and Fellowships (Selected)

  • 2019: Honorable mention Rossana Orlandi Guiltless Plastic Prize (Pretty Plastic)
  • 2019: Winner Frame Awards Category Co-living Complex of the Year (9 dwellings Oosterwold)
  • 2018: Winner Dutch Design Award Category Habitat (People's Pavilion)
  • 2018: Winner ARC 18 Innovation Award (People's Pavilion)
  • 2017: Winner Competition "Who Cares" (90 dwellings for inclusive housing Almere)

Exhibitions and Presentations (Selected)

  • Pretty Plastic, MaterialDistrict Expo, Rotterdam (2020)
  • Albert & Alberti: The right to Self Build, Amsterdam Architecture Center (2019)
  • Design Invent Build, MakeCity Berlin, Berlin (2018)

Publications (Selected)

  • "Architecture & Circular Thinking, Inaugural Lecture." Amsterdam Academy of Architecture, 2019
  • Handboek Hedendaagse Hofjes. Amsterdam, 2014

Selected Work

  • A building whose windows and facade are covered by a series of geometric screens.

    Marine Base Building 27E, Completed in 2016.

  • A model of a building which has been rendered entirely in grey material, and placed within a gallery space. The model is elevated and placed on a white and grey podium.

    Albert & Alberti: The Right to Self-build, Architecture Center Amsterdam, 2019.

  • A pavilion with a pixel-like mosaic facade made from recycled plastic materials of varying colors.

    People's Pavilion: 100% Borrowed, Dutch Design Week, 2017.

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