Back

Jacob van Rijs

GENERAL INFORMATION

Jacob van Rijs is a Dutch architect, urban planner, and educator, best known as one of the three founding partners of MVRDV, the internationally acclaimed architecture and urban design firm established in Rotterdam in 1993 alongside Nathalie de Vries and Winy Maas. Born in Amsterdam in 1964, Van Rijs studied architecture at Delft University of Technology, where he graduated with honors.

Throughout his career, Van Rijs has been recognized for combining bold and innovative design ideas with a human-centered approach. His work focuses on creating buildings and urban environments that are functional, sustainable, and engaging for the people who use them. Through MVRDV, he has led a wide range of projects, including residential complexes, cultural institutions, urban transformations, and large-scale masterplans around the world. Notable projects include the Mirador housing complex in Madrid, the Danish Rock Museum, and the community center KU.BE in Copenhagen.

In addition to his professional practice, Van Rijs has made significant contributions to architectural education. He has taught and lectured at universities across Europe, Asia, and North America and has held professorships at institutions including the Technical University of Berlin. In 2025, he was appointed Professor of Architectural Design at Eindhoven University of Technology, where he focuses on sustainable building transformation and adaptive reuse.

Jacob van Rijs is widely regarded as one of the leading figures in contemporary architecture. His work demonstrates how innovative thinking, research, and sustainability can be combined to create architecture that responds to the challenges of modern cities while improving everyday life for their inhabitants.

Architect details

Birth 1964 , Amsterdam

Firm MVRDV

Projects 13 buildings

Jacob van Rijs

GENERAL INFORMATION

Architect details

Realized projects

Other architects in these cities