Page 25 - RLI December 2019 - January 2020

COVER STORY | TCONCEPT

Creating Places TconcepT BV, based in the Netherlands is a company

that specialises in architecture, concept design and
placemaking across the globe. Here, RLI sits down
for People with Founding Partner and General Manager Frank

van Dongen to learn more about this up-and-coming
company and what aspirations it has moving forward.

KIJKDUIN BEACH AREA ith a mission to create places that people like Working across diverse geographies, the company feels
The Hague, Netherlands
to go to and want to stay at, TconcepT designs every place is unique and has its own story. For example,
concepts where the aesthetic, functional and they are excited to work on a new project in Moscow, but
W economic aspects are all in full harmony. at the same time there is just as much energy to work on a
Founded in 2014 by former partners and directors of T+T small scheme in Liverpool. For now the main area of focus is
Design and Multi Development Corporation, the international Europe, but some ideas are beginning to bear fruit in Central
team is already working in more than 10 countries and and South America, Africa and Asia.
has already opened some remarkable projects in globally Looking at design trends in the next few years, Van
renowned locations as Istanbul, Amsterdam and Barcelona. Dongen feels public spaces, landscaping and green spaces
“Because of our background, we don’t just think like will become more and more prominent. “New places will
designers, but we also think like developers and investors,” be where people feel welcome, at home, comfortable and
explains Frank van Dongen, General Manager of TconcepT. relaxed. Works spaces, public buildings, libraries, schools and
“We understand how places work, why people like to stay sports should be mixed into the shopping spaces, delivering
somewhere and how to make them feasible in a smart way. a more urban experience.”
We create value for all stake holders, for the citizens, for the As we head towards the end of the interview, we ask
city, the tenant, the developer and the investor.” what the group’s strengths are, and what have been the key
In the last year the most important investment the group drivers behind the growth of the brand in its first five years
has made has been in its people, helping to educate them, to of operation?
create an inspiring working environment and to find the best “The essence is we think in terms of creating spaces instead
way to work and play. He feels this element of play remains of thinking about creating buildings. The space between
an important aspect as it keeps the creative juices flowing. buildings, this is what carries architecture and is essential to
Recently opened projects TconcepT were involved in success. Many architects only focus on buildings, but before
include Finestrelles in Barcelona. Much more than a shopping the designing of these begins, it is key to get the urbanism and
centre, this open air experience has a retail space of 39,250sq spaces between buildings right,” says Van Dongen. “When
m GLA, hanging gardens and a roof that features F&B and looking forward, our objectives are to grow as architects, as
an event area joining student houses. Another shopping people and as entrepreneurs. Life is a learning experience
experience was launched in Izmir last October. The Izmir and one that we are embracing.”
Karsiyaka Hilltown centre is a partly closed and partly open
project set in a park like landscape. The enormous offer in “We understand how places work, why people
terms of shops, the variety of gourmet cafes and restaurants like to stay somewhere and how to make them
and the leisure options on offer have made this the new
meeting place in Izmir. In both cases TconcepT completed feasible in a smart way. We create value for
the concept design and architectural design. all stake holders, for the citizens, for the city,
In terms of new projects, the company is creating a beach
village in The Hague in the Netherlands. The scheme is a the tenant, the developer and the investor.”
raised boulevard with F&B overlooking the dunes, lots over
luxury homes overlooking the sea and parallel to it guests
PENDIK can find shopping on the street level. Furthermore they are WATERGARDEN
Istanbul, Turkey Istanbul, Turkey
working on the redevelopment of the 60,000sq m Zuidplein
shopping centre in Rotterdam after convincing more than 60
owners about the added value the redevelopment will bring!
TconcepT feels they are lucky to have clients who share the
sense of ambition, passion and quality, whilst understanding that
creating value for a space will create long-term financial value.
When speaking about the organisation, Van Dongen explains
that whilst they are a global designer, they only have one office
in the Netherlands currently, so they are smaller than their main
competitors. He and the team do not want to grow too fast
in order to maintain the quality, which means they can be quite
selective about the projects that they work on.
“That implies that our clients always know that one of our
three partners will work on the projects. Our goal is to create
the best within the framework given. Our mission is to surprise
and if possible to convince the client to break out of that
framework. Then it is a job well done,” explains Van Dongen.
IZMIR KARSIKAYA
Izmir, Turkey
24 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL DECEMBER 2019 / JANUARY 2020