Tickets are now on sale for the Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam, where our documentary about the work and vision of architect Hans Ruijssenaars will premiere. We invite you to join us on October 10!

With more than 300 realized projects, Hans Ruijssenaars has played a significant role in shaping Dutch cities over the past five decades. From the Maagjesbolwerk in Zwolle and the theater in Schiedam to the town hall in Apeldoorn and interventions at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, his work can be found throughout the Netherlands.

In this documentary, Hans looks back on his extensive career and shares the ideas, experiences and convictions that have shaped his architecture. From his archive in Baarn, he revisits some of his most important projects and reflects on the process behind their creation. The film takes us to around fifteen locations across the Netherlands. There, users and people connected to the buildings share how they experience these spaces today. Many of the projects were designed decades ago, raising questions about how well architecture stands the test of time. Do these buildings still function as intended? And how do they respond to the needs of today’s users?

By bringing Hans’ own reflections together with the experiences of the people who use his buildings, the documentary offers an intimate portrait of both the architect and his work. As he puts it: “Designing is something you do with your whole body. I can’t do it any other way.”

A film made with dedication

Emma Heinhuis, chairwoman of the Social Design Foundation and producer of the film, is very happy with the result: “We are incredibly proud of our final product. It has become a profound story about Hans’ extraordinary oeuvre. It has been a unique experience to spend several months getting a glimpse into his way of thinking and working, for which I am very thankful.”

The film is made by filmmaker Pim Gelevert of Studio Arawak and directed by architect Lyongo Juliana, who also conducted the on-camera interviews with Hans Ruijssenaars. “What a team to work with. Sometimes I tell people that we are making this entire production with just the three of us, and they are always surprised by the result we are creating. But when you see the dedication and devotion that go into Pim and Lyongo’s work, you don’t even need a whole team. I am incredibly proud of everything they have done to bring this beautiful story to life”, Emma shares.

About the festival

The Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam (AFFR) is the world’s largest film festival dedicated to architecture and the city. Every year, the festival brings together films, filmmakers, architects and audiences through a diverse program of documentaries, feature films, talks and discussions exploring how we shape and experience our built environment.

• Premiere: October 10, 2026, at 16:00
• Location: LantarenVenster, Rotterdam

Tickets are now available through the AFFR program.