In this series of interviews, we delve into the stories of the people behind OMRT's innovative solutions. Today, we're talking to David Spierings, an architect with a passion for parametric design.
Let's start at the beginning. Can you tell us a bit about your background?
David: Sure! I'm David Spierings, and my background is in architecture. I graduated in Delft in 2007, so that's been a while now. I live in Bergen op Zoom, I'm married, and I have two daughters, ages 8 and 10.
And how did you end up at OMRT?
David: During my graduation, I was busy looking for ways to optimize building density using scripts in 3D software. Together with a fellow student, we created scripts to make all kinds of density calculations for different locations and building types, and to test them for light quality and privacy. It's basically the same principle that OMRT is working with now. That research caught on, and after graduation, we started our own firm where we conducted research for several municipalities, partly through a developer.
That sounds promising! Why did you stop doing that?
David: Well, I was trained as an architect, and at that time, I much preferred designing and creating buildings in an environment where I could learn a lot from others. Spending all day working on a programming language with just the two of us wasn't logical for our development as architects, however interesting it was. As a starting architect, I decided to join a firm with international projects and a lot of experience. However, the idea of using smart algorithms to generate design variants at lightning speed and analyze them for qualities never left me.
And then you ended up at EEA Associated Architects, one of the largest firms in the Netherlands at the time. How was that?
David: Great! I had the opportunity to work on fantastic projects there, both at home and abroad. Several competition wins were highlights, from an immense stadium with football and basketball arenas under one roof in Moscow to a unique museum extension in Assen. I really enjoyed working there with colleagues from all over the world, which is very inspiring. Something I clearly experience again at OMRT right now.
After EEA, you joined V8 Architects. There you led impressive projects such as the KPN headquarters in Rotterdam and the Dutch pavilion for the Expo in Dubai.
David: Yes, those were definitely special projects! At V8, as an Associate, I learned to collaborate as much as possible with other disciplines and specialists and to create added value for a plan from those collaborations. During one of the last projects I worked on at V8, the Solar Pavilion for Dutch Design Week (in collaboration with Marjan van Aubel), I started scripting again. The design was ideal for translating into a series of formulas with adjustable parameters, where the details for production eventually rolled out 1:1. Until the very last moment, we could adjust the scale and proportions of the project and its components without having to redraw or remodel everything.
What insight did that give you?
David: It fascinated me (again) that scripts can be used to explore solutions and variants that are much more flexible in the design process than traditional static design elaborations. Of course, it takes more time to set something like that up properly, but in the end, we had more time throughout the entire process to think carefully about optimizations and technical details, despite the fact that the process from the first sketch to completion only took five months. A large part of the pavilion was sponsored with circular components, where the possible contribution in terms of numbers and dimensions of components could only be decided at the very last moment. The parametric model was also crucial in this because we already had all the consequences in view, and within "seconds" we could adjust all the manufacturing drawings in the 3D model accordingly.
And then you came to OMRT.
David: I worked as an independent architect for a year, focusing more on parametric solutions for various (sustainable) issues. Out of curiosity, I sent an open application because I was very impressed with the work OMRT was doing. After an energetic conversation with Jasper and Andreja (founders of OMRT), I decided to become part of this fantastic group of people!
What is your role within OMRT?
David: I am a senior project manager. That means that, based on my experience, I can manage a team of very smart engineers and specialists and talk to clients to set up our models as well as possible. In addition, I think it's really cool to think about how we can improve our tools and calculation models, generate new insights, and serve our clients even better.
How do you see the future of OMRT?
David: I think parametric design will become increasingly important in the built environment. OMRT is at the forefront of this development, and I am convinced that we will play a major role in the future of the field. In particular, the diversity on which we analyze and the combination of different qualities provide enormous insight with which you can truly optimize a plan. This is not always just about creating more square meters, but also about qualities such as views, sustainable use of materials, the experience of greenery, types of access, outdoor space, privacy, and encounters in a spatial plan. Qualities that you can also express and analyze in data. So, for me, a logical future is to make smart use of the computing power of computers as much as possible to make smart decisions within the complexity of current building projects.
Finally, what would you say to architects and urban planners who still have doubts about the added value of OMRT?
David: Are there any? I don't really see why you would doubt OMRT's contribution. Ultimately, we mathematically substantiate all our results, and we are always focused on the objectives of a project, something in which the input of an urban planner or architect is very important for our model, and so we like to collaborate. In addition, we can also investigate the potential of a location without there being a design concept in place. These are often dynamic urban planning models in which we can provide all stakeholders with insights that allow the plan to be discussed step by step in consultation and give direction to further plan development. Of course, it's very cool to see a building or district years later that we helped to get the most potential out of the location.
David, thank you for this inspiring conversation!
David: You're welcome!