What Space & Matter does

Space & Matter is an Amsterdam-based architecture and urban design studio founded in 2009, operating as Space&Matter BV with a multidisciplinary team of 20-plus architects, designers, makers, and thinkers. The firm's practice centers on circular and adaptive architecture, leveraging biobased materials — notably cross-laminated timber (CLT), hemp-based insulation, and biocomposite facades — alongside Open Building principles and a proprietary Smartframe system that enables residents to customize and reconfigure layouts over time. Project work spans residential buildings (co-living towers, social housing, LGBTQIA+ inclusive housing), neighbourhood masterplans, adaptive reuse, educational facilities, and floating communities, with demonstrated scale through projects such as the 357-home SAMPLE timber modular development and the 2,200-home Klaprozenbuurt masterplan.

The business model is professional-services led: the firm acquires work primarily by winning competitive architectural competitions and municipal tenders, serving a mix of municipalities (Gemeente Amsterdam, Municipality of Kerava, Gemeente Zeist), institutional investors (KanAm, CBRE), real estate developers (Common City Development, Blauwhoed, Timpaan, Wonam, Heutink Groep, KondorWessels), building collectives, and select private clients such as Oedipus Brewery. Pricing is project-based and multi-year, with fees set by scope, scale, and complexity; there are no public pricing tiers. Strategic delivery is enabled through a recurring ecosystem of co-design and engineering partners — including NL Architects, ZUS, Mecanoo, Finch Buildings, DELVA Landscape Architecture, BETA Architects, and B-Invented — with deep continuity around Common City Development, which functions as the firm's primary development counterpart across multiple projects.

The firm has expanded internationally beyond the Netherlands into Finland (Kerava Masterplan, Tehdassaari Innovation District), Germany (Düsseldorf floating clubhouse), and Switzerland (St. Gallen childcare), positioning the studio within the European circular-construction and New European Bauhaus discourse. Ownership remains with founding partners (Sascha Glasl, Tjeerd Haccou, Marthijn Pool); in January 2026, Lidia Egorova and Bart Nicolaas joined as partners to take over day-to-day operations, allowing the founders to focus on Crowdbuilding and Common City Development.

Name

Space & Matter

Legal name

Space&Matter BV

Website

https://spaceandmatter.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Amsterdam-based architecture and urban design studio founded in 2009, specializing in circular and adaptive buildings using biobased materials (CLT, hemp insulation) and Open Building design for municipalities, developers, and building collectives across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Planning & Workplace Design (BPAHAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Engagement & Participatory Planning (BPAHAKAO), Space Planning & Test Fits (BPABAFAB)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Urban design planning
• Sustainable architecture
• Circular building design
• Neighborhood masterplanning

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Urban Design Services: Professional fees from architectural design, urban planning, and masterplanning services for residential, commercial, educational, and public projects. Revenue generated through project-based commissions, competition prizes, and ongoing client relationships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Space&Matter is an Amsterdam-based architecture and urban design firm that provides professional design services for buildings, neighbourhoods, and urban developments. The firm specialises in forward-thinking, context-driven architecture with a strong emphasis on circular construction, biobased materials (CLT, hemp, biocomposite facades), adaptive reuse, and participatory community-driven design. Services span residential buildings, mixed-use neighbourhoods, educational facilities, hospitality conversions, and large-scale urban masterplans across the Netherlands and select European markets.

Product overview

Space & Matter is an Amsterdam-based architecture and urban design studio offering a portfolio of architectural services and specialized design approaches. Their core offerings include architecture services, urban design, and circular architecture with a focus on sustainable, nature-inclusive design. The portfolio encompasses residential buildings (including adaptive, self-built, and community housing), urban neighborhoods, mixed-use developments, educational facilities, hotels, and floating structures. Key project types include: Circular Architecture with biobased materials (CLT construction, repurposed steel) and nature-inclusive design; Community Housing developments featuring collective living concepts like co-living towers, self-build collectives, and LGBTQIA+ inclusive housing; Urban Neighborhoods developed through participatory design processes; Regenerative Projects including floating communities and ecohubs; and Adaptive Buildings designed for flexibility and long-term usability. The firm works on projects across the Netherlands and internationally (Finland, Switzerland, Germany) ranging from individual buildings to large-scale urban masterplans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture Services Forward-thinking architecture rooted in context and humanity, creating functional and sustainable buildings that contribute positively to communities and the environment. Services cover residential, mixed-use, educational, hospitality, and adaptive reuse projects for municipalities, developers, building collectives, and private clients.
• Urban Design and Masterplanning Urban design and neighbourhood masterplanning integrating expertise from architecture, urban design, and strategic thinking. Delivers comprehensive urban frameworks, participatory planning processes, and mixed-use neighbourhood developments for municipalities and developers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% biobased materials used in SILO project
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• DELVA Landscape Architecture & UrbanismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration on landscape and urban design projects including Common Woods neighbourhood development. DELVA serves as landscape architect for multiple Space&Matter projects, integrating nature-inclusive design principles into residential developments.
• Common City DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term strategic partner for urban development and process guidance. Common City Development collaborates with Space&Matter on multiple residential projects including Common Woods, wij_land, and LeeuwenDeel, providing development expertise alongside design services.
• BETA ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Klaprozenbuurt neighbourhood masterplan, executing comprehensive participatory design process for citizen-led urban development.
• ZUS (Zones Utiles Structures)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign partner for M5&M7 Strandeiland project along with NL Architects, contributing to urban design for new residential neighbourhood on Amsterdam's Strandeiland.
• NL ArchitectsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign partner alongside ZUS for Strandeiland neighbourhood development, contributing to nature-inclusive urban design approach.
• White ArkitektermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration on Lincolnpark Hoofddorp project, bringing Swedish architectural expertise to Dutch circular neighbourhood development.
• SeArchmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating architect on Lincolnpark Hoofddorp neighbourhood development.
• Atlas ArchitectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of design team for Lincolnpark Hoofddorp circular neighbourhood project.
• KondorWesselsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for SAMPLE project in Amsterdam North, a circular and community-driven mixed-use development featuring 357 timber modular homes.
• MecanoomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on SAMPLE circular development project alongside KondorWessels, Common City, ZUS, and local groups.
• Finch BuildingsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvider of 357 timber modular homes for SAMPLE project, delivering biobased housing units with 80% bio-based or reused materials.
• DS LandschapsarchitectuurmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architect for Lincolnpark Hoofddorp project, contributing to contemporary 'erf' design inspired by traditional Dutch farmhouse and polder typologies.
• B-InventedcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineer and installation consultant on Common Woods project, providing engineering expertise for biobased CLT construction.
• KarbouwcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor for Common Woods project, executing construction of circular residential neighbourhood with CLT timber homes.
• SwecomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Dutch Design Foundation's What if Lab on research project exploring 'What if industry stays in the city', introducing Third Zone concept for mixed-use industrial-residential coexistence.
• Cireco Finland LtdmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner for Tehdassaari Innovation District participatory process, reimagining former Nokia industrial area as circular economy hub.
• HouseEurope!minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCitizens' initiative supported by Space&Matter advocating for European legislation prioritizing renovation over demolition, aligning with firm's circular design principles.
• Dutch Design FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for What if Lab research initiative exploring industrial-residential coexistence through The Third Zone concept, presented at Dutch Design Week Eindhoven.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MVRDV: Rotterdam-based architecture and urban design firm of comparable scale with strong portfolios in residential masterplans and sustainability-led design. Directly comparable to Space&Matter on Dutch housing, urban regeneration, and large-scale mixed-use commissions.
• Mecanoo: Dutch architecture firm with deep experience in residential, public, and adaptive reuse projects across Europe. Co-designs the SAMPLE Amsterdam North development alongside Space&Matter, putting them in regular direct collaboration on large Dutch housing projects.
• NL Architects: Amsterdam-based architecture studio specializing in housing, urbanism, and innovative typologies. Co-design partner with Space&Matter on Strandeiland, making it a directly comparable Dutch architecture firm pursuing similarly nature-inclusive urban strategies.
• ZUS (Zones Utiles Structures): Rotterdam-based urbanism and architecture practice focused on adaptive reuse, mixed-use neighborhoods, and resilience-driven design. Core design partner with Space&Matter on Strandeiland and SAMPLE, sharing both the methodology and project pipeline.
• White Arkitekter: Scandinavian architecture practice with strong circular-design credentials and large-format neighbourhood masterplans. Co-design partner on Lincolnpark Hoofddorp, indicating close alignment with Space&Matter on circular residential development at scale.
• UNStudio: Amsterdam-headquartered global architecture network known for large mixed-use, residential, and infrastructure projects. Directly comparable on Dutch urban regeneration and adaptive reuse commissions, and active in similar European geographies.
• SeArch: Dutch architecture firm with strong residential and mixed-use portfolio, particularly in circular and biobased construction. Collaborating architect on Lincolnpark Hoofddorp alongside Space&Matter and a like-for-like peer on small-to-mid sized Dutch housing projects.

Others

• DELVA Landscape Architecture & Urbanism: Amsterdam-based landscape architecture firm and recurring co-design partner with Space&Matter on Common Woods and other nature-inclusive neighbourhoods. Strong adjacent peer on the urban greening and nature-inclusive design practices central to Space&Matter's offering.

Broad incumbents

• Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG): Internationally active architecture firm with a strong sustainability-oriented residential and urban portfolio (e.g., Copenhill, Amager Bakke). Represents a broader incumbent peer pursuing circular and adaptive architecture globally at greater scale than Space&Matter.
• OMA: Rotterdam-headquartered global architecture and urbanism firm with deep Dutch housing, mixed-use, and masterplanning bench. Functions as a broad incumbent competitor for major Dutch and European urban development commissions Space&Matter also targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInnl.linkedin.com/company/space&matter
• Instagraminstagram.com/spaceandmatter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Space & Matter