We believe in the value of urban density to prevent the land-consuming sprawl of cities around the world. In addition, we pledge to make a sustainable contribution to the world through our designs. With MVRDV NEXT, we explore ways to enhance and challenge existing design processes via new experimental technologies. On January 12, Jacob van Rijs gives a lecture at the Florida International University, discussing our vision on density, sustainability and new design technologies. He illustrates our ideas through MVRDV projects, such as Markthal and WERK12.

Jacob van Rijs, Founding Partner, Principal Architect, and Urban Planner, has led MVRDV’s interdisciplinary team since its establishment in 1993. Co-founded with Winy Maas and Nathalie de Vries, the award-winning Dutch practice has achieved international acclaim for a wide variety of buildings, cities, and landscapes that are innovative, experimental, and merge theory with practice. In his designs, Van Rijs combines daring design ideas and concepts with this humane and user-friendly approach. Since the office was established, he has been responsible for leading a broad range of projects, from cultural and civic buildings to transformations, and from residential buildings and social housing to interiors.

Florida International University (FIU) is a public research university with its main campus in Miami-Dade County. FIU has 11 colleges and more than 40 centers, facilities, labs, and institutes that offer more than 200 programs of study. The FIU's School of Architecture provides a rich and diverse platform for interdisciplinary activities at the curricular and research levels. 

• Date & time: January 12 - 14:00 (local time). 
• Location: FIU – Paul L. Cejas Architecture Building, 135 - Miami, FL. 
• You can find more information on the lecture here.