We are The Men of Foam, strategic designers in real estate. We use our creativity, concepts and design to make our cities better, more resilient and beautiful.

Our distinctiveness? From our commercial background we build future-proof plans, places and realistic business models. From a financial, spatial and social perspective.

.
DE INPUT VOOR UW BUSINESSCASE

Focus op:

  • ruimtelijke plannen en ontwerpen
  • van gebied tot interieur
  • tekenen en rekenen
  • financiële haalbaarheid
  • de totale business case

Producten:

  • haalbaarheidsstudies en Kavelvisies
  • getekend Programma van Eisen
  • ontwerpuitwerking van schets tot oplevering
.
VAN TOEKOMSTVISIE NAAR ZICHTBAAR RESULTAAT

Focus op:

  • participatie met/voor bewoners en ondernemers
  • trendwatching
  • inspireren en verbeelden
  • procesversnelling
  • maximaal draagvlak creëren

Producten:

  • participatietrajecten on- en offline
  • workshops en brainstormsessies
  • toekomstvisie
  • vastgoedstrategie
.
ZIEL EN BELEVING

Focus op:

  • positionering
  • merk en merkbeleving
  • customer journey

Producten:

  • gebieds-, locatie- en gebouwpositionering
  • merkidentiteit
  • huisstijl, logo, look&feel
  • marketingstrategie en communicatiemiddelen
  • art-directie

Projects

Filter >

Smart City – The Hague City Entrances

Smart City – The Hague City Entrances

Commissioned by the Municipality of The Hague, we explored how the city entrances in The Hague could be improved with the help of smart technological applications. After mapping the dynamic use of each city entrance (including CS, HS, LaanvanNOI and the Loper Oude Centrum), we have proposed various concrete solutions. Technological solutions that positively influence functionality and experience in the field of way finding, mobility (‘the last mile’), safety and information / communication. An improvement in the perception of the city entrances also contributes to strengthening the unique character of the Hague at the entrances.
In order to create broad support among both users of the city entrances and the various departments involved within the municipality, we organized various workshops and we literally observed the day to day usage in order to visualize the dynamics of the city entrances. The result of the exploration is a shortlist of possible technological interventions and solutions that can be implemented in the relatively short term. Solutions that improve city entrances and contribute to the Smart City ambitions of the city of The Hague.

Highrise at Scheepmakershaven – Rotterdam

Highrise at Scheepmakershaven – Rotterdam

In the middle of the heart of Rotterdam is the ‘Wijnhaveneiland’ located, an area of ports and islands with a high concentration of high-rise buildings. The Wijnhavenkwartier is in full development with multiple building projects such as The Muse, Terraced Tower and Uptown.

As strategic designers, we have developed a concept for a tower at Scheepmakershaven 27/29 on behalf of Stebru. A distinctive concept that, in addition to the not (always) distinctive high-rise in the area, adds value to the location and puts Wijnhaveneiland on the map.

Based on a broad analysis of trends / developments in the city and a spatial analysis of the area, we came up with the concept based on three pillars: adding dynamism, a diverse program and high-quality public space. Connecting the roofs, place-making in the plinth of the existing building and a construction that leaves room for various functions.

The concept has been translated into spatial models. Together with the municipality, we determined the ambition for this place. Based on our concept Stebru organized an architect selection and selected the design from MoederscheinMoonen Architects. The result is a challenging design in which our concept is spatially translated (link to the design ).

Kessler Park – Rijswijk

Kessler Park – Rijswijk

We are extremely proud that we are working on the identity and positioning of Kesslerpark Rijswijk, the former Shell research site, on behalf of Kadans Science Partner. Kesslerpark is being redeveloped into a unique mixed-use area where living, working, research and education can be accommodated.

The green campus-like setting with high-quality office, education and laboratory facilities, in combination with the perfect accessibility next to the NS station and highways, make this location a green oasis in Rijswijk.

More coming soon!

Kazerneterrein Venlo

Kazerneterrein Venlo

A New Course for the Venlo Kazerneterrein, former military barracks site.

Venlo has its origins along the Maas and is beautifully situated. Fort Sint Michiel was built around 1600 on the west side of the Maas, which fell into disrepair at the end of the 17th century. The military barracks site was built here at the beginning of 1900, on and around the foundations of the Fort. Ideally a strategic place with a view of the city and the Maas and inextricably linked to the city.

The Kazerneterrein in Venlo was purchased by the municipality of Venlo in 2006 and subsequently included as an integral part in the Vision Urban Center 2022. The former plans for the Kazerne Quarter were based on a top down development by determining which commercial program was the most suitable for this location. At the same time, a residential program was excluded.

The municipality of Venlo asked The Men of Foam to develop a new course for the Kazerne Quarter. We believe in the power and character of the Kazerne Quarter itself, whereby our vision provides for a lively center-urban district of Venlo. Our vision provides for four important elements: 1. a dynamic area development from bottom up, 2. introduction of a spatial grid, 3. adding the residential function and 4. development of the area by multiple parties.

The ‘New Course’ was presented at the end of 2018 to the city council of Venlo. Subsequently, an elaboration took place in the spring of 2019, via find this link .

Overstad – Alkmaar
Bazaar concept

Overstad – Alkmaar
Bazaar concept

A lot of work is being done on the transformation of the former industrial area Overstad. The municipality of Alkmaar is taking an active role in this and various great developments and initiatives have already been realized.
The Overstad Development Vision gives a clear direction to the steps that must be taken in the coming years. An important task that follows from the Development Vision is the creation of a bazaar-like wandering environment in which there is room for a lively trade in second-hand furniture in combination with small-scale catering establishments.

Commissioned by the municipality of Alkmaar, we explores the possibilities for a Bazaar concept at Overstad. Bazaar in the broadest sense of the word: from a recycled boulevard to a very diverse second-hand programme in the form of vintage stores and repair shops. We explored the range of possibilities with the municipality of Alkmaar and local owners and entrepreneurs. Through creative workshops in which we shared the common interests. In addition, we performed a market analysis of the second-hand market, in order to get a good feel for the latest trends and developments within this sector.

client: Municipality of Alkmaar, department of Economic Affairs

Binckhorst – The Hague
Plot 2 ZIP2516

Binckhorst – The Hague
Plot 2 ZIP2516

ZIP2516 is the winning proposal for the “Plot 2 ‘The Urban Lab’ Challenge” competition.
The ZIP 2516 proposal has been invented and prepared in cooperation with architects Studio Komma and is to be an important driver to the transformation of the Binckhorst industrial and commercial area in The Hague.

The award consists of a municipal contribution of € 50,000.- for the further design and development of Plot 2 at Melkweg Road. The jury has assessed the proposal as “a plan with balls” and as a real eyecatcher focussing on the future users of the area.

ZIP2516 is a concept where social and commercial entrepeneurship will meet and is to be combined with open public spaces. ZIP2516 connects such through its unique design: combining a stacked programme with challenging functions such as:

  • At ground floor level: Happy Tosti, a socially engaged entrepeneur who, in cooperation with equally engaged entrepeneurs, will produce a flagship store, a training centre and catering facilities.
  • At first floor level: Urban Playground, which is to be a public square and terrace with space for events, meetings and sports.
  • At second and third floor levels: World Startup Factory, which is an incubator for startups which will, in cooperation with regional knowledge centres, provide an accelerator programme to firmly boost the urban and regional economy.
  • At fourth floor level: Hermit Gin Bar, which will be a rooftop bar with locally brewed gin, a terrace and a vegetable garden.

The iconic building will make use of donor material from an old parking garage and will have a smart facade with which energy can be produced. Moreover the building is designed as a Lego package: fully suitable for de-as well as reassembly. In fact, when and if required, ZIP2516 can be moved to another site to boost the urban and/or regional economy.

Unmanned Valley – Valkenburg proposal for redevelopment

Unmanned Valley – Valkenburg proposal for redevelopment

Commissioned by the organizations of Innovation Quarter and Unmanned Valley
Valkenburg (RoboValley) we have worked on the proposition for UNMANNED VALLEY at the former Valkenburg airfield.
For the bidbook we organized substantive discussions with the various stakeholders involved in this project and process. We translated all strategic and substantive information into a concrete space plan. As well as for the physical indoor and outdoor testing facilities for the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s), as well for feasible real estate developments at the site.

For the first phase of Unmanned Valley Valkenburg (UVV) we have calculated the real estate development and the exploitation of such. This resulted in a concrete proposition with which the neighbouring municipality of Katwijk, the Zuid Holland provincial government and the RVB (the National Real Estate Company) can progress further.

Eventually we assembled all substantieve input in a bidbook: an attractively designed paper which was handed over to the Katwijk Municipality and the Zuid Holland Provincial Government at the Innovation Year Event 2016, at which yearly event actual innovative developments and innovative companies are presented.

See here for the link to the bidbook.

client: Innovation Quarter & UVV

“We are now at the beginning of the Second Machine Age, in which intelligent robots of the
so-called unmanned systems will play an important role in our economy and which will have a great impact on our society. Dutch companies and research institutes are serious players in this revolution. Typical examples of this revolution are the smart robots by RoboValley, communication technology for autonomous vehicles by NXP, composites by Airborne, artificial intelligence by Leiden University, fully autonomous milking robots by Lely, ambulance drones by Delft Technical University and commercial drones by Aerialtronics.

This industry is much more extensive than just the producers of robots. The physical robot
is to be regarded only as a vehicle for processing tasks or for gathering information. When regarding the complete chain this runs from the developer and producer of chips and composites via software developers and companies which add artificial intelligence or provide service to the end-users.

Important to all parties in the UAV-chain is that the actual and future technology can be tested extensively. And such in particular in the Zuid Holland region, where the main manufacturers, suppliers, developers and research institutes reside.
To provide such required facilities the Valkenburg airfield is the only feasible location in this region, also known as the Randstad region. It provides the preconditions which this industry seeks and is in need of. Such as ample space for testing, the ability to test at longer distances above the North Sea and the necessary infrastructure for setting up businesses. It is located nearby attractive living places for staff and perhaps most important close to the companies and research institutes which define this industry.
Besides, Valkenburg is only 30 minutes away from Amsterdam International Airport and, in the light of the international character of this industry, ideal for companies which seek to establish their business here and for clients who like to see the technologies demonstrated.

The Valkenburg project will provide the opportunity for The Netherlands to profit from this emerging new mega-industry. Goldman Sachs forecasts that, within the coming five years, the drone market will grow to $ 37 billion on a yearly basis. This opportunity we must now seize before we loose the know how and the industry to foreign countries. More so, Valkenburg can so become the center in Europe where the industry will prefer to establish its businesses.

So to seize this opportunity collectively, the De Mannen van Schuim (The Men of Foam),
commissioned by Innovation Quarter and Unmanned Valley Valkenburg, have concretely translated this proposition in a bidbook. This bidbook is to trigger off a dialogue and a cooperation among all participating UVV and Valkenburg stake holders.”

Agenda ‘Ruimte voor de Stad’ – The Hague
participation- and co-creation proces The Hague 2040

Agenda ‘Ruimte voor de Stad’ – The Hague
participation- and co-creation proces The Hague 2040

The Hague is preparing for the future. In the context of the Spatial Planning for the City Agenda, we, as a design team together with the Scheveningen area coalition, prepared the spatial future sketch for the Scheveningen district. An exciting co-creation process in which various stakeholders such as residents and entrepreneurs were involved in shaping The Hague of 2040.
From the trends around economy, demography, sustainability and technology, we determined the spatial challenges for the coming years.
Where are the opportunities for intensification, compaction and energy-efficient solutions? What role will technology play in The Hague as a “smart city”?

With the area coalition of the Scheveningen district, we translated current and future opportunities and limitations of Scheveningen into a spatial program and concrete tasks. Tasks that must be tackled in the coming years to keep Scheveningen and The Hague future-proof.

For this process we worked together with Blossity, boutique consultants from The Hague.

client: Municipality of The Hague, department DSO

PWC HQ – Amsterdam

PWC HQ – Amsterdam

For Flow Real Estate, asset management and project development, we have prepared a proposal for the positioning of Westgate I in Amsterdam. Westgate I is rented out to PWC HQ. Part of the positioning was a future-proof office concept based on the PWC office strategy. This concept is called: ‘Activity based working and beyond’.
Within the current building configuration we have searched for a way to translate the various functions, programs and experiences of PWC office strategy into an integrated experience concept and attractive flooplan. The result is a new working and meeting environment on the ground and first floor. Through light, space and an open plan concept, functions such as the PWC-University, Yoga & Wellness center, Creation Valley and the multifunctional restaurant are connected via the PWC City PLaza, a new heart of the building based on a healthy working environment and meeting areas.

Bekijk projectenlijst >

Team

Thomas Verbrugh

Thomas Verbrugh

conceptontwikkelaar

Experimenting with a clear goal or a realistic vision is what makes concept development a challenging and important task. Adding value and making a place or city more resilient through ‘out of the box’ concepts, in order to give the user a new experience, is what motivates me.
My strength lies in analyzing the problem and developing unique concepts using different presentation techniques. Working in a team or with other stakeholders is an important condition for strengthening this power. A good example is my first project at The Men of Foam: a new real estate strategy for NIBC offices in The Hague.

To keep working efficiently, it is important to undertake other things as well. Sport, playing the piano or discovering new places in the city give me inspiration to generate new ideas.

Thomas graduated cum laude in 2014 as an architect at TU Delft at the Design as Politics studio. After a minor in Planning at Utrecht University, internship at Atelier Rijksbouwmeester and finishing his master’s degree at TU Delft, he immediately started at The Men of Foam.

thomas@demannenvanschuim.nl

Niels de Vries Humèl

Niels de Vries Humèl

eigenaar/conceptontwikkelaar

As a strategic designer and co-founder, I am able to combine my real estate knowledge and experience with entrepreneurship.
My added value lies in the combination of creativity and commercial insight. Working on complex projects together with enthusiastic and inspiring people, that’s what I like most.

The best ideas and concepts arise when I have “nothing” on my mind. That is in the morning taking a shower and when I’m out at sea cathing waves. In addition to spending time with Dokie and the kids, these are valuable moments.

Niels de Vries Humèl graduated as an architect from TUDelft, after which he started as architectural designer at Broek Bakema. As an airport planner and consultant for NACO, he worked at various foreign airports. In 2006 he made the switch to commercial project development at IPMMC Vastgoed. Niels and Rico started their own company in 2011: The Men of Foam

niels@demannenvanschuim.nl

Rico Zweers

Rico Zweers

eigenaar/conceptontwikkelaar

After graduating as an architect, Rico specialized in the overall real estate process. As a concept developer and entrepreneur, he oversees the real estate market and makes opportunities for projects and the market quickly visible. As an entrepreneur, Rico believes in the power of collaborations outside the real estate market. The rapidly changing tech world is a good example of these collaborations. By approaching The Men of Foam as a start-up, we try to quickly adapt to changes in the market and resulting challenges of our clients.

Rico worked as an architect at Van Mourik Vermeulen, after which a role as project and process manager at Stevens van Dijck was fulfilled. After this, Rico became head of the Concept Development department of IPMMC Vastgoed (now AM Real Estate). In 2011, Rico, together with Niels de Vries, started Humel De Mannen van Schuim. Here, in addition to our projects in real estate and area development, his focus is on the commercial development of the company.

rico@demannenvanschuim.nl

Jorg de Vries Humèl

Jorg de Vries Humèl

art director

Jorg is a man of few words. A thinker. He lets his images speak. Sharp, opinionated, contrary. Jorg sees what we don’t see.

At The Men of Foam, Jorg is our graphic designer, brand builder and photographer. Visual thinking is what he does best. From logos to full marketing campaigns.

Jorg has made his marks at Category 1 in Utrecht and at SIN in The Hague. Now Jorg works at The Men of Foam and is also building his own Traktür label.

jorg@demannenvanschuim.nl

Timo Knibbe

Timo Knibbe

assistent conceptdeveloper

In 2016 I graduated from the Technical University in Delft as architect. With an internship at Studioninedots and experience at consultancy firm KR&A, I started working at The Men of Foam as a concept developer. This position matches perfectly with my interest in smart and adequate urban development projects. I always want to understand how projects become feasible and why they are succesful.

At The Men of Foam, we like to challenge each other in freely brainstorming about real estate projects we encounter. The results are unique and versatile real estate concepts. It is my motivation to contribute to this creative process, not only as a designer but also by working on the financial feasibility of our projects.

Roel Willems

Roel Willems

In 2018 Roel joined The Men of Foam as partner. Roel main drive is making city life more beautiful and joyfull by creating meaningful real estate projects. He strongly believes in the combination of creativity, functional design and strong commercial strategy in order to realize succesful and feasible projects. ‘That is how we add true value for our clients!’

Roel has a broad experience in commercial project development and complex deal making processes. Former companies Roel was appointed are Multi Vastgoed, Provast Development, Syntrus Achmea Real Estate & Finance and Cushman&Wakefield Capital Markets.

Within the company Roel is responsible for our new development label Miss Clark

roel@missclark.nl

Jeanine Driver

Jeanine Driver

Yes! From march 1st Jeanine will join our team as a concept developer. – profile update and photo coming soon

Contact

+31 (0)70 219 0110
Burgemeester van Karnebeeklaan 6
2585 BB DEN HAAG
KVK nr: 53695771
BTW nummer: 85 09 79 638 B01
ABN AMRO: NL48 ABNA 0567 940 225

 

‘Ieder plan verdient een sterk concept.’