Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

Building a sustainable Netherlands

From hotels and houses to stores and skyscrapers; architect Diederik Dam has designed extraordinary projects. He was brought up with a love of beautiful buildings and although doubts struck him during his studies, he still joined his father Cees Dam. Together they run Dam & Partners Architects and are building a beautiful and sustainable Netherlands. GASSAN spoke with Diederik Dam for the latest edition of GASSAN Magazine.Text: GASSAN
Image: GASSAN

Your father is renowned architect Cees Dam, your mother was a graphic designer and even your grandfather was an architect. As a child, did you want to follow in their footsteps?

"I wasn't into it at all as a kid. I was dragged past all the beautiful buildings and saw it as a natural part of my life. Later, when I almost finished my studies in architecture, I only thought about whether I really wanted to be an architect."

Did you feel you were pushed in that direction?

"Pretty much. I went on autopilot to Delft to study architecture. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I understand very well that my parents gave me a push in that direction. On the one hand there is nothing nicer than when your children continue with what you have built, but on the other hand it is also about the autonomy of your children and what makes them happy. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with what I'm doing, but I was only 17 when I went to college. What do you know when you're 17?"

Do you do that differently with your children?

"Yes, definitely. As a parent, one of our main tasks is to expand our children's world. In fact, when my kids started studying something other than architecture, I felt some relief. But I also know they both enjoy working with me, so we have to find new forms and see how we can or cannot work together.

What are they studying?

"Our oldest, our daughter, just finished her master's degree in Graphic Branding & Identity at UAL in London. She went into the graphic design side, just like my mother. My son is still studying, doing Science, Business & Innovation at the VU in Amsterdam. He is interested in architecture and building, but on the innovative side; how the world is changing and whether he can play a role in that as an extension of architecture."

Why did you choose to become an architect anyway?

"I love my craft and designing and I am proud of what I do and have done. But when I almost finished college at twenty-two, I was very decided to quit and become a film director. Already during my high school days I was doing a lot of animation and I decided to switch. My friends told me that I had to push on for a while so that I could have a university degree in my pocket. They were right and I finished it.

Did you start working for your father right after graduation?

"After college, I was very blithely offered two jobs in New York. I could start there in six months and would work with my father as a bridge until then. Long story short; I never left. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with that story, because I feel I missed out on not going to New York. If I could do it over, I would have done it differently. There is much more to see in the world.

You can now read the entire interview with Diederik Dam in the latest issue of GASSAN Magazine. Read it here.