MVRDV is an architecture and urban planning practice founded in 1993 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, by architects Winy Maas (Schijndel, 1959), Jacob van Rijs (Amsterdam, 1964), and Nathalie de Vries (Appingedam, 1965). All three studied at Delft University of Technology, graduating in 1990. Before establishing MVRDV, Winy Maas and Jacob van Rijs worked at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), while Nathalie de Vries gained professional experience at Mecanoo.
Since its foundation, MVRDV has developed architectural, urban planning, and landscape projects of various scales and programmes, including residential buildings, cultural facilities, commercial spaces, offices, renovation projects, and urban masterplans. Its working methodology combines research and analysis of the social, economic, environmental, and spatial conditions of each project with a collaborative process involving clients, specialists, and professionals from different disciplines.
Its early completed projects, including the headquarters of Dutch public broadcaster VPRO in Hilversum (1997) and the WoZoCo housing complex for elderly residents in Amsterdam (1997), marked the beginning of its international recognition. These were followed by the Netherlands Pavilion at Expo 2000 in Hanover, the Silodam residential building in Amsterdam (2002), the Mirador housing complex in Madrid (2005), and the Celosía residential development, also in Madrid (2009).
Subsequent projects include the Markthal market hall in Rotterdam (2014), Crystal Houses in Amsterdam (2016), Tianjin Binhai Library in China (2017), Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam (2021), and the Valley residential building in Amsterdam (2022). More recently, the practice has also undertaken the transformation of existing buildings, including the Pyramid of Tirana in Albania (2023) and the Shenzhen Women & Children's Centre in China (2023), as well as the Portlantis visitor centre in the Port of Rotterdam (2025).
MVRDV operates across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, with offices in Rotterdam, Shanghai, Paris, Berlin, and New York. The practice currently employs more than 300 professionals, including architects, urban planners, and specialists from various disciplines. Alongside its three founders, the leadership team includes partners Frans de Witte, Fokke Moerel, Wenchian Shi, and Bertrand Schippan.
Research and academic activities are also part of the practice's work. In 2008, Winy Maas founded The Why Factory, a research institute at Delft University of Technology dedicated to exploring possible scenarios for the future development of cities. Its activities include teaching programmes, research projects, publications, and exhibitions addressing architecture and urban planning.
MVRDV's projects have been featured in international exhibitions and publications and have received numerous awards in architecture and urban planning.
