FABRICations

What FABRICations does

FABRICations B.V. is a privately held, research-driven spatial design studio headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, operating since 2007 with a team of approximately 20 multidisciplinary professionals. The firm delivers professional services across architecture, landscape design, urbanism, and regional strategies, with a core methodology branded as 'Research by Design' that connects insights across multiple scales — from building to region. Its proprietary frameworks include Smart Urban Mix (SUM), a typology concept for layering living, learning, and working functions vertically, and Metabolic Design, which investigates resource flows (energy, food, materials, waste, heat) across urban systems.

The studio serves primarily Dutch government bodies at national (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management), regional (Provinces of South Holland, Noord-Holland, Flevoland), and municipal (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Bosch, Haarlem, Veldhoven, Eindhoven) levels, supplemented by real estate developers (AM Ontwikkeling, GEVA Vastgoed), engineering consultancies (Arcadis, DGMR, Goudappel, Arup), and academic/research partners (TU Delft, ULB, Fontys, IABR). Notable engagements include the NOVEX Development Perspective for the Port of Rotterdam (addressing an industrial complex employing ~400,000 people), the IKDB mixed-use development in Den Bosch, and the Urban Sky Lab research initiative on aviation/drone integration. International work spans Copenhagen, Brussels, Paris, the Dolomites, Albania, Izmir, and Almaty.

Revenue is generated through project-based professional services fees under government procurement frameworks, competitive tenders (Stadforum, NOVEX, EO Wijers), and collaborative research agreements. The firm supplements service delivery with a content ecosystem spanning publications (via Nai010 Publishers), a documentary film ('Werkende Woonwijken' with RearWindowFilm and Creative Industries Fund NL), and a podcast series (with Pakhuis de Zwijger), all serving as thought-leadership and demand-generation channels. No external funding rounds, parent company, or institutional investors are disclosed; ownership appears founder/partner-controlled.

Name

FABRICations

Legal name

FABRICations B.V.

Website

https://fabrications.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FABRICations is an Amsterdam-based, research-driven spatial design studio delivering architecture, urbanism, landscape, and regional strategy services to Dutch government bodies, developers, and research institutions across Europe and Central Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Spatial Design Services: Project-based fees for architecture, landscape design, urbanism, and regional strategy consulting services commissioned by government bodies, municipalities, and developers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FABRICations is a research-driven spatial design studio offering professional services in architecture, landscape design, urbanism, and regional strategies. The studio applies a research-by-design methodology to deliver projects for government bodies, municipalities, and developers focused on energy transitions, climate adaptation, urban metabolism, and mixed-use environments. Core outputs include strategic urban development plans, architectural projects, research publications, and thought-leadership outputs such as documentaries and podcasts.

Product overview

FABRICations is a research-driven spatial design studio offering a portfolio of urban design concepts, architectural projects, publications, and research initiatives. The core offering includes the Smart Urban Mix (SUM) concept—a layered approach to urban development combining living, working, and learning—and related documentary and podcast outputs. The studio delivers design research services across architecture, landscape design, urbanism, and regional strategies, with notable projects including mixed-use developments (IKDB Den Bosch), aviation integration research (Urban Sky Lab), and publications on urban metabolism and the City as a System.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Urban Sky Lab: A collaborative research initiative by FABRICations and Kennedy Approach exploring how new forms of aviation (drones and low-altitude aircraft) can be spatially integrated into Dutch cities, ports and airports.
• Smart Urban Mix (SUM)

Products and services

• Smart Urban Mix (SUM) A spatial design concept and methodology exploring how living, learning, and working can coexist within the same neighborhoods by layering a living city directly on top of a working city, effectively doubling the urban footprint. Delivered as research and consulting services to municipalities, developers, and housing corporations.
• Architecture and Urban Design Services Professional architecture and urban design services applying research-by-design methodology across scales, from buildings to regional strategies, for government bodies, municipalities, and developers.
• Innovatie Kwartier Den Bosch (IKDB) A mixed urban environment integrating productive work within Den Bosch's railway zone, combining one-third housing with two-thirds workspaces using the Smart Urban Mix concept of layering a living city on a working city. Delivered for Gemeente 's-Hertogenbosch and AM Ontwikkeling.
• Development Perspective Port of Rotterdam A strategic vision and regional development perspective for transforming the Port of Rotterdam into the world's most sustainable industrial complex, addressing circular economy and energy transition challenges. Delivered for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and regional partners.
• Perspectives Haarlem A strategic study developing two future perspectives (Spoor and Spaarne) for the Municipality of Haarlem, examining trade-offs between metropolitan integration and local completeness.
• Stationseiland Amsterdam An investigative urban design project exploring Amsterdam Central Station's complex flows of people and transport, commissioned by Stadforum in collaboration with Circle Economy and LoUIsE – BATir (ULB).
• Urban Sky Lab A collaborative research initiative co-developed with Kennedy Approach exploring how new forms of aviation, including drones and low-altitude aircraft, can be spatially integrated into Dutch cities, ports, and airports. Delivered for a consortium including Provinces of Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Flevoland, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Waterstaat.
• Trylletromler Pavilion A temporary pavilion in Copenhagen's Rosenborg Castle garden, reinterpreted as a dynamic semi-transparent fence appearing in motion, named after the Danish word for zoetrope. Commissioned by the Danish Architects Association.
• The City as a System (Book) A book advocating for treating research by design as a serious component within educational programs, arguing designers must investigate the underlying system and use of urban fabric, including resource management of energy, food, and materials, and byproduct exchanges. Published by Nai010 Publishers.
• Circular Economy Opportunities in Almaty (Publication) A research publication examining circular economy opportunities in Almaty.
• Urban Metabolism Brussels (Publication) A publication analyzing the urban metabolism of the Brussels region.
• Urban Metabolism Rotterdam (Publication) A publication exploring the urban metabolism of Rotterdam, examining flows of resources and infrastructure.
• Groene Hart (Publication) A design research publication exploring spatial strategies for the Groene Hart national landscape between Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague.
• Izmir Metabolic Cycling Scan A research publication analyzing metabolic cycling patterns in Izmir.
• Werkende Woonwijken (Documentary) A documentary film exploring the integration of workspaces into urban neighborhoods, showcasing completed mixed-use projects in Europe and examining the challenges and possibilities of combining living and working. Produced with RearWindowFilm and supported by the Creative Industries Fund NL.
• De Werkende Woonwijk (Podcast) A four-part podcast series exploring how work and production spaces can be integrated into residential areas, developed in collaboration with Pakhuis de Zwijger and available on Spotify.

Quantifiable outcome

• NOVEX development perspective signed by multiple government entities for Port of Rotterdam transformation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Kennedy ApproachcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026FABRICations and Kennedy Approach co-developed Urban Sky Lab, a collaborative research initiative exploring how new forms of aviation (drones and low-altitude aircraft) can be spatially integrated into Dutch cities, ports, and airports. The project was presented at Intertraffic Amsterdam 2026.
• Province of Noord-HollandmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Government consortium partner supporting the Urban Sky Lab research initiative on spatial integration of innovative aviation.
• Province of Zuid-HollandmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Government consortium partner supporting the Urban Sky Lab research initiative on spatial integration of innovative aviation.
• Province of FlevolandmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Government consortium partner supporting the Urban Sky Lab research initiative on spatial integration of innovative aviation.
• Ministry of Infrastructure and WaterstaatmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026National government partner supporting the Urban Sky Lab research initiative on spatial integration of innovative aviation.
• Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve IndustriemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Creative Industries Fund supporting Urban Sky Lab research initiative and podcast 'De Werkende Woonwijk' expansion.
• DATAMODEL (Paul Swagerman + Jens Jorritsma)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExhibition design and production partner for the Urban Sky Lab physical exhibition at Intertraffic Amsterdam 2026.
• RearWindowFilmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm production company that produced 'Werkende Woonwijken' documentary with FABRICations, exploring mixed-use European projects combining living and working.
• Pakhuis de ZwijgercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmsterdam cultural platform collaborating with FABRICations on the 'De Werkende Woonwijk' podcast series exploring mixed-use urban development.
• AM OntwikkelingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate developer partner in Innovatie Kwartier Den Bosch (IKDB) mixed urban development project.
• Lister Buildings (Coebax)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConstruction partner for the IKDB project providing innovative building solutions.
• WoonbedrijfmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing corporation providing housing expertise for Smart Urban Mix research project in Brainport Region.
• GEVA VastgoedmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary landowner and real estate partner for Smart Urban Mix De Run project in Veldhoven.
• Fontys HogescholenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Applied Sciences conducting research and providing economic insights for Smart Urban Mix project.
• Municipality of VeldhovenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner in Smart Urban Mix De Run project research and development.
• Municipality of EindhovenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipality partner in Smart Urban Mix project with involvement through Architectuurcentrum Eindhoven.
• Architectuurcentrum EindhovencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture center that initiated and co-curated the Smart Urban Mix exploration and research program.
• Arcadis NLmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering consultancy and project partner for NOVEX Development Perspective Port of Rotterdam project.
• WesselinkVanZijstminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsultancy partner for Port of Rotterdam development perspective project.
• Havenbedrijf RotterdammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort authority partner collaborating on the transformation of Rotterdam Port into sustainable industrial complex.
• Municipality of RotterdammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partner in NOVEX Port of Rotterdam transformation planning.
• Milieudienst Rijnmond (DCMR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental service partner for Port of Rotterdam sustainable transition planning.
• Danish Architects Association (DAA Copenhagen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioning client for Trylletromler pavilion project at Rosenborg Castle garden in Copenhagen.
• Circle EconomymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCircular economy organization collaborating on Stationseiland Amsterdam project analyzing circular opportunities.
• LoUIsE – BATir (ULB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversité Libre de Bruxelles research group collaborating on Stationseiland circular economy analysis.
• International Architecture Biennale RotterdammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture biennale collaborating on 'The Metabolism of Albania' project integrated into Albanian spatial policy.
• 51N4EmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm collaborating on Albania metabolism project with FABRICations.
• Delft University of TechnologymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical university collaborating on Albania spatial metabolism research project.
• The Netherlands Environmental Assessment AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment research agency collaborating on Albania metabolism project research.
• TrancityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization co-hosting book launch event for 'The City as a System' publication at Keilepand Rotterdam.
• Academies of ArchitectureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic network chairs involved in organizing 'The City as a System' book launch and expert talks.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mecanoo: Dutch architecture practice with a long track record in public buildings, housing and urban design in the Netherlands and internationally. Comparable in Dutch public-sector client base and multi-disciplinary integration of architecture, landscape and urbanism.
• MVRDV: Dutch architecture firm rooted in research-driven design and data-led urbanism, with comparable engagement of public-sector commissions, exhibitions and large mixed-use typologies across Europe and Asia. Most direct comparable in terms of methodology, scale and Dutch public-sector client base.
• 51N4E: Belgian architecture and urbanism practice operating at architecture-to-territory scales. Collaborates with FABRICations on the Albania metabolism project and shares a comparable research-driven, multi-scalar approach with European public-sector clients.
• Heatherwick Studio: London-based design studio with a research-led, multi-disciplinary approach spanning architecture, pavilions and urban projects. Comparable in methodology, scale (~200 people) and emphasis on innovative spatial typologies with cultural and public-sector clients.
• OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture): Globally recognised Dutch practice led by Rem Koolhaas with a strong research, publishing and urbanism tradition (AMO). Comparable to FABRICations in publishing output, multi-scalar work from object to city-region, and high-profile government and cultural clients.
• Studio Gang: US architecture practice with a research-driven, ecology-focused methodology and work across scales from interiors to urban masterplans. Comparable in research-by-design philosophy and emphasis on multi-scalar, sustainability-led spatial design.
• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): Research-oriented architecture firm with comparable methodology of design as research and high media visibility. Operates at a larger scale but addresses the same market of public and cultural clients interested in innovative urban typologies.
• Ecosistema Urbano: Spanish urban design studio focused on climate-adaptive public space and participatory processes. Directly comparable in research-by-design methodology and has explicitly partnered with FABRICations on the SHIFT Landmark shortlist for Rotterdam.

Broad incumbents

• Arcadis: Dutch-rooted global design, engineering and consultancy firm with deep public-sector relationships across infrastructure and urban development. Partners with FABRICations on the NOVEX Port of Rotterdam perspective and represents a scaled incumbent in the same advisory and design space.
• Arup: Global engineering and design consultancy with broad urban, sustainability and infrastructure capabilities. Has partnered with FABRICations on the SHIFT Landmark shortlist and competes in the same public-tender space as a much larger incumbent offering integrated design-plus-engineering services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FABRICations_nl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fabrications
• Instagraminstagram.com/fabrications_nl
• Facebookfacebook.com/fabrications.nl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 FABRICations