ADL VDL
about
"...to stand on the meeting of two eternities, the past and future, which is precisely the present moment; to toe that line."
HD Thoreau, Walden
ADL_VDL is a next-generation architecture office based in Amsterdam, redefining the relationship between architecture, technology, and nature. Our work integrates cutting-edge digital tools—AI, robotic fabrication, computational modelling —with bio-based and natural materials to create innovative, sustainable and most importantly enjoyable spaces.
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN + LABRATORY - VAN DER LELY
ADL_VDL is a forward-thinking architecture studio founded by Thijs van der Lely in 2024, based in Amsterdam. The practice is driven by the belief that architecture can be a bridge between nature, technology, and human well-being. With a strong focus on sustainability, circular building strategies, and biobased materials, ADL_VDL aims to shape a built environment that is both future-proof and aesthetically rigorous.
Thijs van der Lely spent his youth in Bangkok and Jakarta — cities marked by dense urbanization and environmental degradation. These early experiences instilled a deep awareness of global challenges and sparked a lifelong commitment to sustainable design. He studied architecture at Delft University of Technology and ETH Zurich, graduating cum laude, specializing in computational design and robotic fabrication.
Before establishing ADL_VDL, Thijs gained experience at internationally renowned architecture firms, including OMA in Rotterdam and Graft in Berlin. These formative years laid the groundwork for a design approach that blends hands-on innovation with research-based precision.
Today, ADL_VDL works on a broad range of projects across the Netherlands — from high-rise residential towers and office buildings to low-rise housing and custom private homes. Each project reflects a careful balance of technical innovation, spatial richness, and environmental responsibility.