WE CELEBRATE: 100 YEARS OF BROEKBAKEMA

One Hundred years ago, our journey began at the Van Nelle Factory, a miracle of light, air and space. In May 1925, the already existing Brinkman firm was paired with Leen van der Vlugt to design the Van Nelle Factory. Stadium de Kuip was also designed and completed in 1936. Since then, generation after generation, we have been building toward a better world.

After World War II, under the leadership of Johannes Van den Broek and Jaap Bakema, many reconstruction plans are realized, including De Lijnbaan, the IBA residential tower Hansaviertel in Berlin and the church in Nagele.

From the brutalism of Van den Broek and Bakema, such as the Aula of TU Delft and the Town Hall of Terneuzen (an architectural translation of democracy), to the sustainable and circular designs of today. Architecture has always been a reflection of its time. Our firm grew and changed, and today we know it as Broekbakema.

In 2025, we are once again at a turning point. The built environment is responsible for a large proportion of CO₂ emissions. That is why we are committed to making architecture not only functional and aesthetic, but also sustainable and future-proof. We are using this anniversary year to reflect on our impact and look ahead to the future.

Of course we will celebrate, but we also want to share 100 years of architectural history with you. That is why we are sharing our ‘Top 100’ of buildings we have designed over the past century. Every month we highlight a new category, containing 10 extraordinary buildings.

This month, discover the first projects from our residential house designs and vote to decide the ultimate Top 100 of Broekbakema.

Vote your favorite residence here.