info@b-bis.be
+32 3 231 82 28
At B-architecten, B-bis & B-city, we use our passion for the design and development of spatial solutions to build a better society with the city as main target.
History
Back in 1997, Evert Crols, Dirk Engelen and Sven Grooten set up an independent office for architecture: B-architecten was born. The three had met during their education in Antwerp and Amsterdam. At the internationally oriented Berlage Institute, it became clear that Evert, Dirk and Sven shared a common design interest. Today, the office is located in Antwerp and Brussels.
Ten years after the foundation of B-architecten, they started a new initiative together with Sebastiaan Leroy: B-bis architecten became an office that focuses on small architectural projects, residential interior design, offices and shops, scenographies for exhibitions and performing arts, temporary installations and furniture design.
In 2020, B-city was launched as a third B-platform with the aim to shape and supervise complex urban projects. The core of its ambition is to work on large-scale projects that carry the potential of becoming new city districts.
Today, B-architecten, B-bis and B-city have naturally grown into an office of more than 60 people. Each B-team has its particular focus and way of functioning, yet they all share a distinct innovative view on the variety of projects the B-platforms stand for.

What we do
At B-architecten, B-bis and B-city, we believe that every single person can make a positive difference in life. We use our passion for the design and development of spatial solutions to build a better society with the city as main target.
We do more than develop buildings: we are a platform of talented designers who want to have an impact on the urban planning policies and improve the quality of life in doing so. Design is our core business – from door handle to city district – but we equally invest in innovative research, we publish and debate, teach at different universities, take our own initiatives and seize opportunities to push the boundaries of our profession.
For us, a better living environment can be achieved by urban densification. It will allow an optimized mix of experience, concentration, sustainability, quality, equality, human scale and technology. To achieve this we trust the power of our platform and the clever alliances we forge with complementary partners.
Every project is an opportunity to question, investigate and try out. We dare to question the question, we add to its value and let the design stem from the solution in a logical, but equally surprising way. All our projects are therefore unique. We deploy the knowledge and experience we have built over the years as a source of inspiration for new colleagues and other talents.
We are dreaming pragmatics, eager about tradition with respect for the future.
How we work
In 2017, our office transformed from a traditional top-down business model to an organisation that is focused on self-managing employees who are heavily involved in the decision making.
Today, we are a close group of workers who carry a shared responsibility for the entire company process – internally and externally. We do not speak in terms of positions or tasks, but instead, there are roles and objectives. Everyone has their own autonomous responsibilities. One employee can fulfill one or several of these roles, for every one of which goals and expectations are determined after consultation with other members of the team.
Important assets of this organisational structure are the division of power, clear agreements and transparent consultation structures. They make the engine of the mechanism. In this self-managing business system we share knowledge and make decisions based on mutual advice in the entire company’s interest.
Yet, we believe well-being is just as important as prosperity. That’s why we have a rich tradition of well-developed team activities, such as a daily healthy lunch for all employees, snacks, pilates lessons on Wednesdays and the monthly B-café, where we invite external speakers to give a lecture. Every year we go on a day trip to B-projects in the implementation phase and in the month September we always go on a two-day trip. The working year is traditionally closed with a BBQ in the courtyard of our B-office.

Who we are
General management
Sven Grooten
architect, founding partner, general director
sven.grooten@b-architecten.be
+32 3 231 82 28
Finances
Tine Delbare
financial director
tine.delbare@b-architecten.be
+32 3 302 43 32
Operations, HR & IT
Klaas Adriaensen
architect, personnel manager & operational director
klaas.adriaensen@b-architecten.be
+32 3 302 43 70
Reflection room
Evert Crols
architect, founding partner
evert.crols@b-architecten.be
+32 3 231 82 28
Technical room
Dirk Engelen
architect, founding partner
dirk.engelen@b-architecten.be
+32 3 231 82 28
Revit room
Evelien van de Riet
architect, project architect
evelien.van.de.riet@b-architecten.be
+32 3 302 43 33
Care
Gerda Swinnen
office manager
gerda.swinnen@b-architecten.be
+32 3 302 43 32
Communications
Laura Bonne
communications
laura.bonne@b-architecten.be
+32 3 302 43 30
Reception
Arati Van Hoof
administrative assistant
arati.van.hoof@b-architecten.be
+32 3 302 43 32
Inclusion
Elke Carlens
facilities
elke.carlens@b-architecten.be
+32 3 231 82 28
B-geester
Hanne De Vos
architect, project leader
hanne.de.vos@b-architecten.be
+32 3 270 05 89
Sustainability
Stéphanie Collier
engineer architect, team leader
stephanie.collier@b-architecten.be
+32 3 302 43 69
Patrimony
Dirk Engelen
architect, founding partner
dirk.engelen@b-architecten.be
+32 3 231 82 28
Team leaders
Sebastiaan Leroy
interior architect, founding partner B-bis, teamleader B-bis
sebastiaan.leroy@b-bis.be
+32 3 270 05 87
Project leaders
Arthur Stolk
architect, project leader
arthur.stolk@b-bis.be
+32 3 270 05 83
Charlotte Stes
architect, project leader
charlotte.stes@b-bis.be
+32 3 270 05 88
Otsoe Verdonckt
architect, project leader
otsoe.verdonckt@b-bis.be
+32 3 302 43 40
Pieter-Jan Grillet
architect, project leader
pieter-jan.grillet@b-bis.be
+32 3 270 05 86
Project architects
Eline Cooman
architect, project architect
eline.cooman@b-bis.be
+32 3 270 05 72
Joachim Moens
architect, project architect
joachim.moens@b-bis.be
+32 3 302 43 65
Mathilde Jacobs
architect, project architect
mathilde.jacobs@b-bis.be
+32 3 302 43 71
Designers
Arthur Stolk - Charlotte Stes - Dirk Engelen - Eline Cooman - Evert Crols - Joachim Moens - Mathilde Jacobs - Otsoe Verdonckt - Pieter-Jan Grillet - Sebastiaan Leroy - Sven Grooten
Awards
2020 - Nominatie Brick Awards 2020 - Depart
2019 - Gilbert van Schoonbeke award - Turnova masterplan
2019 - ARC19 Architecture Award - Mundo-a
2019 - Jo Crepain Award - laureaat NAV, meest innovatieve architectenbureau
2018 - FEBE Elements Awards, Precast in Buildings - Turnova toren
2018 - Laureaat Staalbouwwedstrijd, categorie utiliteitsbouw - Het Moment
2018 - Eervolle vermelding Bis architectuurwedstrijd, thema 'herbestemming' - Het Moment
2018 - Laureaat Onroerenderfgoedprijs - Het Moment
2017 - Winnaar Onroerenderfgoedprijs - Boterberg
2016 - Laureaat Brussels voorbeeldgebouw (Be-Exemplary) - Centr'Al
2014 - Nominatie Staalbouwwedstrijd - De Grote Post
2013 - Nominatie Vlaamse Monumentenprijs - De Grote Post
2007 - Winnaar Brussels voorbeeldgebouw (Be-Exemplary) - L28
2003 - Award van de Belgische architectuur - Anyplace
2003 - Award van de Belgische architectuur - BSB-bis
1999 - Antoon van Dyck Award - meest beloftevolle architectenbureau
Our office
How to get here
By public transport
B-architecten, B-bis and B-city are located within walking distance of the Antwerp Central Station. There are several tram and bus stops close to our offices.
If you’re using a Velo city bike, look at the map for the nearest Velo station. You can put your own bike safely in the bicycle sheds on our office terrain.
By car
Parking your car in the streets may prove difficult and expensive. When you do, don’t forget to buy a ticket!
We advise you to use the underground car park of the Antwerp Central Station by entering ‘Van Immerseelstraat 2’ in your navigation system. It only takes a five minute walk from the car park to our offices.