Name: Paul de Ruiter

Company: Architectenbureau Paul de Ruiter

Position within company: CEO

Website: www.paulderuiter.nl

. Tell us a little about your background.

I was educated at the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands (1985-1990), worked for two years at the start of UN studio, then went back to the university to do an PhD on sustainable architecture (The Chameleon Skin, energy producing buildings, 1992-1994) and started my own company in 1994.

. How would you describe your own personal style?

Sustainable minimalist

. Where does your inspiration come from?

Many things –  nature, culture, art, movies, internet, books, magazines, architecture, people

. In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

Towards a healthy and sustainable society.

 . Name five key themes to consider when approaching property development in 2014 and beyond.

The people who have to live in them, cooperation, sustainability, smart investments for the future, beauty.

. If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to development projects, what would it be?

Buildings should produce energy not only in a technical sense but also in a human sense

. How important are The International Design and Architecture Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?

Important, it is good to know that our work gets recognition outside of The Netherlands

. What projects are you currently working on?

Do you have a moment, we have some 40 projects running at this moment all to do with sustainability at it’s core. From high end villas to social housing, offices,interiors, factories, laboratories, schools, university buildings, hotels, parking garages, infrastructural projects like dikes, tunnels and bridges, wind mill parks etc

. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

We want to expand our office more into Europe and abroad.

Your most treasured possession?

Of course my children and girlfriend.

Your favourite holiday destination?

South of Europe somewhere near to the Mediterranean sea or ocean as long as it is  nice weather, which we often miss in the Netherlands.

Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar?

The Waterhouse Hotel in Shanghai, Sazanka restaurant – Okura hotel Amsterdam, Roof garden Soho house NY

Your favourite book / film / song?

The songlines from Bruce Chatwin, Der Himmel über Berlin form Wim Wenders, City of Angels, Red hot chilli peppers

Your favourite food and drink?

Sushi and very dry white wine

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?

When it is nice weather going to the beach, Noordwijk aan zee, the Netherlands, with my family and friends, making sand castles, swimming, having fun.

 If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

Not happy. Before I started architecture, I studied computer science so I think I would have been into software architecture.