Polyfern is a design studio for landscape, city, village, park, square and object. We are based in Utrecht – the Netherlands. In the video below we introduce ourselves in 90 seconds (click the CC button for English subtitles). We design places of wonderment.
Fernweh: places of wonderment
Where nature is given space, great places and unique experiences arise: places of wonderment. With our designs, we aim to spark a desire to explore these worlds (in German ‘fernweh’). From backyard to park, from village to city, from nature reserve to coastline. We make invisible qualities visible and the everyday special. Designed from a clear concept, with room for rich planting, diverse materials and distinctive details. In doing so, we give each place its own story.
Probable futures
Based on design research, we explore the future from many perspectives while drawing. An intuitive design process, without a preconceived outcome, maximises creativity in this regard. Our visions of the future excite, enthuse and entice people to think about a more sustainable world. We make prospects imaginable.
Colourful, healthy landscapes
A colourful landscape is a healthy landscape. By bringing nature closer, we provide peace and relaxation in an increasingly complex living environment. We take the systems from soil, water and life as the basis for designing resilient and self-healing landscapes. With a maximum diversity of plants, animals and people. Coloured by the environment and the seasons, enriched by the time factor.
Draw and build
The real design challenge lies in fulfilling the promise: making the imaginable a reality. We experiment with the latest techniques (3D prints, Augmented Reality) and proven methods (models, mock-ups), to refine designs down to the smallest detail. So that the designed aesthetic experience is feasible and future-proof.
Polyfern is a design studio for landscape, city, village, park, square and object. We are based in Utrecht. The studio is led by landscape architect Jorrit Noordhuizen.
Poly (Greek): many, several.
Ferne (German): horizon, future, perspective.
Fernweh (German): desire for discovery, adventure and wanderlust.
Polyfern: multiple horizons, futures, perspectives.
Polyfern is compensating its CO2-emissions (energy, mobility, paper) by participating in the project Treesforall. We drive fully electric and our office is almost energy neutral due to the generation of electricity with our own solar panels.
Jorrit Noordhuizen, MSc
landscape architect, founder
Mara Middelhuis, BSc
landscape designer
Jorne van de Water, MSc
landscape designer
Thije Poels, MSc
landscape designer
Nick Hersbach, MSc.
landscape designer
David Heusinkveld
assistant designer
Clients (among others).
Rijkswaterstaat
State Forest Service
Natuurmonumenten
Katla UNESCO Global Geopark (Iceland)
Board of Government Advisors
Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations
Flevoland Province
Province of Utrecht
Province of South Holland
Province of Gelderland
Province of Overijssel
Province of Friesland
Water Board WDOD
Valley and Veluwe Water Board
Municipality of Almere
Municipality of Amsterdam
Municipality of Westerveld
Municipality of Weert
Municipality of Meppel
Municipality of Groningen
Municipality of Kalmthout (BE)
Municipality of Assen
Municipality of De Ronde Venen
Municipality of Enschede
Municipality of Sluis
The Flevo Landscape
Area Development Twente
Heijmans
MWPO Project Development
PlegtVos
Droste Construction Group
Teaching and lectures
> IABR Rotterdam 2022, presentation
> 90 Jahre Landschaftsarchitektur Technische Universität Berlin, lecture
> Conference Nederland verandert, lecture
> Architecture Cafe Who Cares, presentation
> European Geoparks Network Conference, Azores, lecture
> Artez Academy of Architecture Arnhem, guest lecturer
> Academy of Architecture Amsterdam, guest lecturer
> Wageningen University, guest lecturer
> Artez Honors Program, lecture
> Tourism 360, Reykjavik Iceland, lecture
> IABR Rotterdam 2018, presentation
> Pecha Kucha T-Mobile, presentation
> The Adaptive Dike, presentation
> B-talks Dopper, presentation
> Sail 2015 Amsterdam, presentation
> Space for Spacemakers, presentation
> BEP entrepreneurship, presentation
Awards and nominations
> Winner BNG Heritage Award With Nijenborgh Castle Park, 2023
> Architect selection new fire tower Kalmthoutse Heide Belgium winner 2019
> Who Cares, winner, 2017
> CRA Young Innovators, 2017
> Young Architects Award, nomination, 2017
> PK Award, nomination, 2017
> Veluwe best nature reserve in the Netherlands (bid book), winner, 2016
> Sustainable Tuesday 2016, selected with The Watermaker ASN Bank World Prize, top 5 theme sustainability, nature and environment 2015
> Architect selection for observation tower ADT, winner 2016
> Space for Spacemakers, honorable mention HBS Kampen, 2015
> Kinderdijk Visitor Center, runner-up, 2014
> Repurposed Tivoli, winner, 2014
> Archiprix, winner, 2012 IFLA International Zvi Miller Prize, 2011 (Jorrit Noordhuizen and Inge Kersten)
Exhibitions
> IABR Rotterdam 2022, exhibition
> Dutch Design Week 2020, exhibition
> Dutch Design Week 2019, workshop
> Sustainable Building Congress The Hague, exhibition
> Dutch Design Week 2017, exhibition
> Landscape Triennial 2017, exhibition and publication
> TAB Tallinn Architecture Biennale 2017
> Design March 2017 Reykjavik Iceland, exhibition
> Dune carcass Vlieland, 2016, installation
> Innovation Expo, 2016, Amsterdam
Publications
> Yearbook of Landscape Architecture and Urbanism in the Netherlands 2022 (with project Landscape Inclusive Agriculture Salland)
> Krasse Kernen, 2022, own publication
> Yearbook of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning in the Netherlands 2018 (with project Care2Share Oosterparkwijk)
> Vliegwiel, the transformation of Twente Air Base, 2019
> De natuurlijke stad – Nature-inclusive building in The Hague, publication, 2019
> 5 years of Young Innovators College of Government Advisors, interview, 2019
> The Renewed City, interview, 2019
> De Blauwe Kamer, interview (journal of landscape architecture and urban planning)
> KEER (publication Stimuleringsfonds voor Creatieve Industrie and Rijksdienst voor Cultureel Erfgoed)
> Designing a community of care (with project Care2Share Oosterparkwijk)
> Sustainable Leisure Landscapes in Icelandic Rural Communities: A Multidisciplinary Approach (Journal of Management and Sustainability; Vol. 8, No. 4; 2018)
> Spot on: landscape as a condition for settlement (with project Ringpark Utrecht, publication Vereniging Deltametropool)
> DSLA Design Research (DSLA publication).
> Destination: Iceland (self-published)
> WOW Air magazine (WOW Air publication)
> HBS Kampen magazine (self-published)
> The Adaptive Dike (BNA publication)
> Yearbook Stimulation Fund Creative Industry
