Retrofit, Reimagine & Responsibity

In its public lecture series "BACKGROUND - Positions" at the Bremen University of Applied Sciences, the School of Architecture Bremen regularly offers insights into the work of architects and, with these events, creates an inspiring platform for exchange on current topics of spatial production.

On Wednesday 28 June, Robert Winkel will lecture at the School of Architecture in Bremen. Referring to his internationally renowned portfolio in the field of Retrofit, re-use of urban spaces and development of innovative concepts, Robert Winkel will illustrate his firm's working methods. Projects he will be focusing on include the award-winning Fenix I in Rotterdam, the extraordinary one-off redevelopment projects Spaardersbad and Kaaspakhuis in Gouda, a number of new Retrofit projects under development in Utrecht and Bonn and, of the latest, SAWA, Europe's first circular full-timber residential building, also called 'the healthiest building in the Netherlands'.

Entrepreneurial architect Robert Winkel is the founding partner and energetic foreman of Mei Architects and planners since 2003. His architecture studio has grown into an internationally operating company, with a strong specialism in redevelopment, urban development strategies, innovative new building concepts and sustainability. “We take our work very seriously, but we don't take ourselves seriously,” is a well-worn phrase of Robert's, which also defines the company - and its pleasant corporate culture. He and Mei tackle projects based on the pillars of Context, Community, New Aesthetics, Flexibility and New Values. This results in ‘people buildings’: buildings that primarily serve the needs of the neighbourhood and its inhabitants.“

In 2019, he started Nice Developers together with Mark Compeer. The move into development illustrates Robert's drive for innovation and progress. When Robert sees a need, he can't help but act on it. He works from a strong drive and high level of ambition to develop carbon-free buildings that are Paris Proof and thus contribute to solving the climate crisis and a healthy future. To catalyse this process, Robert envisions the urgency of taking responsibility by actively taking on the role of initiator. As a developing architect, he is the mastermind behind SAWA: the first circular full-timber (and award-winning) building in Rotterdam.

Robert holds various external roles of social importance. He has extensive experience in quality advice in the public domain. He is currently general chairman of the Spatial Quality Commission in Amsterdam. In addition, he is a member of the expert advisory board of the Bremen City Center Project Office, is supervisor of Rotterdam - The Hague Airport and chairman of the 'Quality-team Feyenoord-City' in Rotterdam. Robert is a guest lecturer at numerous universities and colleges and a much sought-after juror for awards in architecture and urban development.