"It's as if we are always putting ourselves in the shoes of another architect . To understand what they want to realize. As a result, there is a lot of variety in our work. I have already gotten a look behind the scenes at so many architects. I learn a lot from that."

Marit de Groot completed an internship with VDNDP in 2013 as a higher engineering student. After graduating in Construction Engineering in Delft, she joined us full-time. 12 years later, she is still working with us, as a specification expert.

"We work with the largest architectural firms in the country. Also with contractors and housing cooperatives. Projects such as a special and complex museum, a large new hospital and various Merwede projects in Utrecht. Sometimes hundreds of homes are involved. In these designs a lot happens and a lot comes together. Working on special projects by different architects is not possible at many offices. You get behind the scenes, you see how others design. Here you can."

What do you do as a specification expert?

“First, we analyze the requirements the design must meet before we architect the architect design. We comb through the documents to identify the common thread and determine what information is still missing in order to arrive at a complete and comprehensive design. 
Which decisions have already been made, and which ones still need to be made? We document the answers in specifications. This can take the form of requirements, a technical description, or a bill of quantities.”

"During the design process, we check whether the design continues to fit the client's requirements. In this way we ensure that the design improves, while remaining really close to the Designer 's image. So in that sense, we put ourselves in the shoes of the Designer who made the initial sketch."

Why did you want to stay after your internship?

"When you come out of school you start as a starter, that makes sense. Here I saw that I could grow. There were several colleagues who also started with an internship, and who have since become project leaders. We get opportunities. There is an eye for what you want to learn. That appealed to me."

What else makes working at VDNDP attractive to you?

"We are the kind of organization where the people side is in the DNA. We have a very sociable team. We do a lot of activities during and around work; the team days, the trips, the DNA sessions, the family day. Energy and time is put into the team, for connection and good cooperation. You know who you are working with and you have personal contact with everyone."