Firm Description

XML is an office for architecture, urbanism and research based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. XML was founded in 2008 by Max Cohen de Lara and David Mulder van der Vegt.

The office is fuelled by a research-driven approach that turns a careful analysis of a project’s core challenges into the driving force of design. XML is internationally known for creating innovative designs that tailor buildings and cities to contemporary life such as the design for the United Nations office tower ‘United Natures’ and the Hong Kong art space ‘Art Square’.

Their efforts to date brought the office extensive recognition and prizes including two Europan awards for emerging European architects. In 2014 XML was a finalist for the Prix de Rome, athe oldest and largest Dutch state prize for Architects under 40. The work of XML has been exhibited internationally at the 14th International Architecture Biennial in Venice and the 5th Guangzhou Triennial.

Since 2010 spaces of political congregation have been part of the office’s ongoing preoccupation In 2016 XML published the book PARLIAMENT that has since become a standard for looking at the architecture of spaces of political congregation. In the same year XML, in collaboration with Jurgen Bey, designed a meeting hall for European government leaders in the EU Council building in Brussels as part of the Dutch Presidency of the European Union.

Both partners have taught and lectured at different architecture and art schools throughout Europe, including TU Delft, the Dessau Institute of Architecture and RWTH Aachen. Between 2014 and 2016 XML directed the interdisciplinary research program Designing Democracy at the Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam. Currently David Mulder van der Vegt is a studio master at the Design Academy in Eindhoven.