Meeting OKRA
Diverse, multidisciplinary and dedicated
Our diverse multidisciplinary team is united by the drive to create places that have a positive impact on people and nature all over the world.
Designing meaningful places
We believe that the world of tomorrow can be a place with a positive impact on people and nature. Our goal is to design resilient landscapes that encourage social life and enhance ecology. We do this by taking an open design approach, drawing inspiration and knowledge beyond the given boundaries. We form interdisciplinary teams that invest in research, both from outside and inside the scope of our discipline. This is how we provide answers to contemporary challenges such as climate resilience, nature and social inclusiveness, and the use of natural resources.
In our projects we create valuable, liveable spaces for people and nature. We see Cities as Natural Habitats, places where people and nature live together in a healthy way. Our process for landscape design revolves around Rediscovering Landscapes. By uniting nature and culture, we create landscapes that are full of meaning. Finally, we conceive innovative solutions and designs for Living with Water.
Our history
Founded in 1994 by Hans Oerlemans, Martin Knuijt, Christ-Jan van Rooij and Boudewijn Almekinders, OKRA Landschapsarchitecten emerged from their shared studies at the University of Wageningen. Pioneering innovative landscape design, the founders’ passion led to transformative projects. Current partners Martin Knuijt and Wim Voogt alongside the associates, work in a team of around 45 specialists on a wide range of exciting projects in the Netherlands and abroad. Together, we continue to evolve OKRA’s legacy and commitment to innovative design.
Our awards
We always aim to provide high-quality design solutions to any challenge we are given. We are grateful that throughout our history, these achievements have been recognised by organisations around the world.
Working at OKRA
Learn more about working at OKRA and have a look at the current job openings.
Meet the team
We are an international, multidisciplinary team of about 45 professionals, working enthusiastically with partners and clients to create integrated solutions for the healthy cities of the future.
Lourdes Barrios Ayala
Senior landscape architect
Daria Beliavskaia
Designer | PR coordinator
Janneke van Bergen
Project leader
Susanna Bos
Landscape designer
Babs Brand
Landscape designer
Gaila Costantini
Senior landscape designer
Janhavi Deshpande
Intern
Melle van Dijk
Associate
Stijn Doelman
Landscape designer
Sophie van Eeden
Landscape architect
Bas Ennen
Planting specialist
Aurora Fleres
Senior landscape designer
Monique Fokker
Financial officer
Ymke de Geus
Landscape designer
Ally Gordey
Landscape designer
Bas Heessels
Senior project leader
Rani Izhar
Associate
Anashwara Jayakumar
Landscape designer
Nefeli Kalantzi
Associate
Hira Usman Khan
Landscape designer
Rutger van der Klip
Project leader
Madelon Klooster
Administrative officer
Martin Knuijt
Partner
Arjan Leenstra
Senior technical specialist
Chiara Liastro
PR & Communications assistent
Su Xin Liaw
Landscape designer
Pierre-Alexandre Marchevet
Associate
Mathijs Metten
Landscape designer
Iris Olié
Landscape designer
Eline Ouwerkerk
Business developer
Li Qian
Senior landscape designer
Roel Ridderikhoff
Senior designer
Giuliana Sibilia
Associate
Giulia Spagnolo
Senior designer
Laura Spenkelink
Senior project leader
Rapa Surajaras
Senior landscape designer
Ilya Tasioula
Senior landscape designer
Antoine Thevenet
Senior project leader
Suzanne in ‘t Veld
Associate
Silko van der Vliet
Landscape architect
Olga Voevodina
Landscape designer
Wim Voogt
Partner
Tom Wierts
Associate
Frank Wortelboer
Senior landscape designer
Lourdes Barrios Ayala
Education: MSc, Landscape architecture, Amsterdam University of the Arts
Daria Beliavskaia
Education: MSc, Urbanism, Delft University of Technology
- Groningen · Station area
Janneke van Bergen
Education: PhD, Landscape architecture, Delft University of Technology
- Hoofddorp · Lincolnpark
Susanna Bos
Education: BSc, Landscape design, HAS green academy
- Oxfordshire · Masterplan Begbroke Innovation District
- Alkmaar · Stationsgebied Alkmaar Noord
Babs Brand
Education: MSC, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, AMSTERDAM ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE (ONGOING)
Gaila Costantini
Education: MSc, Landscape architecture, Delft University of Technology
Janhavi Deshpande
"One of the most pressing issues metropolitan areas facing is Climate change. I believe that Landscape architecture has the capability not only to mitigate but also adapt to climate change in diverse and colorful ways compared to other fields. Creating environments that respect natural systems and support climate stability is the ethical duty of landscape architects. As an Intern, I would like to use my new academic viewpoint to practical projects that tackle climate change by designing solutions that promote resilience and adaptation."
Education: MSc, landscape architecture, University of Nürtingen-Geislingen (ongoing)
Melle van Dijk
"I am driven by the ambition to create spaces that benefit humans and nature while having a positive impact on wider communities, ecosystems and the environment in general. My extensive experience in climate adaptation and active mobility allows to bring top-notch design solutions with strong concepts, a clear design language and consistent detailing. Working at OKRA is an amazing opportunity to design meaningful places in a group of great diverse people."
Education: BSc, Landscape design, Van Hall Larenstein
- Assen · Koopmansplein
- Katwijk · Mient Kooltuin
- Hattem · City centre
- Oxfordshire · Masterplan Begbroke Innovation District
- Leuven · Masterplan Openbaar Domein
Stijn Doelman
Education: MSc, Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning, Wageningen University & Research
- Gullegem · Village centre transformation
- Vlissingen · Visie Spuikom
- Uithoorn · Definitiefase Amstelzone
Sophie van Eeden
Education: MSc, Landscape architecture, Academy of Architecture in Amsterdam
Bas Ennen
EDUCATION: BSc, Garden and Landscape design, VAN HALL LARENSTEIN
- Hengelo · City centre
- Utrecht · New Defence Area
- Dinxperlo · Dinxperlo centre
- Mechelen · Keerdokpark
Aurora Fleres
Education: MSc, Landscape architecture, Università di Genova
- Cork · Marina Park
- Cork · Marina promenade
- Utrecht · Arcadia
- Dordrecht · Spuiboulevard
Monique Fokker
Ymke de Geus
Education: MA, Landscape architecture, The University of Gloucestershire
Ally Gordey
Education: MSc, Landscape architecture, University of Melbourne
- Hoofddorp · Lincolnpark central zone
Bas Heessels
Education: BSc, Landscape design, Van Hall Larenstein
Rani Izhar
Education: MSc, Architecture, Delft University of Technology
- Cork · Marina Park
- London · Meridian water
- Shenshan · Nature as Leverage
- London · Kingston Station
- Cambridge · Northstowe
Anashwara Jayakumar
Education: MSc, Sustainable Architecture & Landscape Design, Politecnico di Milano
- Bunnik · Station area transformation
- Gullegem · Village centre transformation
- Hamburg · Oberbillwerder Grünen Loop und Aktivitätspark
- The Hague · Studie openbare ruimte als drager voor verdichting
Nefeli Kalantzi
Education: MSc, Architecture and Urban Design, Columbia University
- Utrecht · New Defence Area
- London · Meridian water
- London · Kingston Station
- Rotterdam · Brainpark Max Euwe Kwartier
- Dusseldorf · Belsenpark mixed-use development
Hira Usman Khan
Education: MSc, Sustainable architecture and landscape design, Politechnico di Milano
- Hoofddorp · Hydepark
- Almelo · Waterschapspark
- Novosibirsk · Residential masterplan
Rutger van der Klip
Education: BSc, Landscape design, Van Hall Larenstein
- Utrecht · Catharijnesingel
- Amsterdam · European Medicines Agency
- Hillegom · Van Nispenpark
- Assen · Koopmansplein
- Utrecht · Stationsgebied
Madelon Klooster
Education: BSc, Social pedagogy, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences
Martin Knuijt
Education: MSc, Landscape architecture, Wageningen University & Research
Arjan Leenstra
Education: BSc, Garden an Landscape Design, Van Hall Larenstein
- Utrecht · Jaarbeursplein
- London · Cutty Sark Gardens
- Hengelo · City centre
- Utrecht · Oosterspoorbaan park
- Vlissingen · Bellamypark
Chiara Liastro
Education: Master in Contemporary Art , Albertina Fine Arts Academy Turin IT - Ongoing
Su Xin Liaw
Education: MSc, Landscape architecture, Delft University of Technology
- Hengelo · City centre
- Oxfordshire · Masterplan Begbroke Innovation District
- Utrecht · Plus Ultra
- Saclay · ZAC du quartier de l'École polytechnique
Pierre-Alexandre Marchevet
Education: MSc, Landscape architecture, Versailles National school of Landscape Architecture
Mathijs Metten
Education: MSc, Landscape architecture, Amsterdam academy of architecture (ongoing)
- Dinxperlo · Centrum Allee Heelweg
- Brussels · Brussels-Zaventem Airport
Iris Olié
Education: MSC in Landscape architecture & Diplôme d'État de Paysagiste Concepteur
Eline Ouwerkerk
Education: MSc, civil engineering, Delft University of Technology
Li Qian
Education: MSc, Landscape architecture, Delft University of Technology
Roel Ridderikhoff
Education: BSc, Spatial design, HKU University of the Arts
- Katwijk · Katwijk Coastal Defense
- Amsterdam · European Medicines Agency
- Utrecht · Jaarbeursplein
- Utrecht · Catharijnesingel
- Alkmaar · Stationsgebied Alkmaar Noord
Giuliana Sibilia
Education: MSc, Architecture and Urban design, Sapienza University
Giulia Spagnolo
Education: MSc, Urbanism, Delft University of Technology
- Gullegem · Village centre transformation
- Mechelen · Keerdok
- the Hague · Grace
- Antwerp · Wijkinrichtingsplannen water en groen
Laura Spenkelink
Education: MSc, Landscape architecture, Delft University of Technology
Rapa Surajaras
Education: MSc, Landscape Architecture, Delft University of Technology
- Cambridge · Northstowe
- Brandenburg · Bildungscampus
- Ukraine · Safe Haven village and campus
- Uithoorn · Definitiefase Amstelzone
Ilya Tasioula
Education: MSc, Landscape Architecture, Delft University of Technology
- Utrecht · New Defence Area
- Hoofddorp · Lincolnpark central zone
- Utrecht · Rondje Stadseiland
- Thessaloniki · Confex park
- Dordrecht · Stadswerven
Antoine Thevenet
Education: MSc, Urban planning, Urban Planning Institute of Lyon
- Rouen · Station Area
- Saclay · ZAC du quartier de l'École polytechnique
- Paris · Python Duvernois
- London · Smithfield
- Villeneuve d'Ascq · City centre
Suzanne in ‘t Veld
Education: MSc, Building technology, Delft University of Technology
- Harmelerwaard · Verkenningsstudie glastuinbouwgebied
- Uithoorn · Definitiefase Amstelzone
- Zeist · Nieuwe verbinding Den Dolder
- Son · Centrumvisie
Silko van der Vliet
EDUCATION: MSc, Landscape architecture, AMSTERDAM ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE
- Assen · Koopmansplein
- Katwijk · Mient Kooltuin
- Utrecht Province · Quality Guide Utrecht Landscapes
- Hattem · City centre
- Leuven · Masterplan openbaar domein
Olga Voevodina
Education: MSc, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, AMSTERDAM ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE (ongoing)
Wim Voogt
Education: BSc, Landscape design, Van Hall Larenstein
Tom Wierts
Education: BSc, Landscape design, Van Hall Larenstein
- Rotterdam · Binnenrotte
- Gullegem · Village centre transformation
- Mechelen · City centre
- The Hague · Binckhorst
- Antwerp · Wijkinrichtingsplannen water en groen
Frank Wortelboer
Education: MSc, Landscape architecture, Wageningen University & Research
- Utrecht · Merwede
- Shenshan · Nature as Leverage
- Utrecht · Tuinen van Moreelse
- Nijverdal · City centre
- Hardenberg · City centre
Milica Zivkovic
Education: MSc, Sustainable Architecture and Landscape Design, Politecnico di Milano
- Brussels · Kleine Zennepark
- Mechelen · Ragheno
- Mechelen · Paardenkerkhofstraat