Amsterdam: New Models for Urban Living

Marianne Loof is partner, architect and urban designer at LEVS architects in Amsterdam. Working at the intersection of architecture and urbanism, she specializes in housing, mixed-use developments and complex urban transformations. Her work focuses on some of the key challenges facing contemporary cities: housing affordability, urban growth, social inclusion, biodiversity and the climate crisis. She sees design as a powerful tool to translate these societal challenges into spatial solutions that improve everyday life and help cities flourish.

“At LEVS, we explore new models for urban living that bring together housing, community and sustainability. Our projects seek to reconcile density with livability, affordability with quality, and urban growth with the urgent need to respond to the climate crisis. We believe that housing is more than a quantitative challenge: it is the foundation of inclusive, resilient and thriving cities.”

In addition to her design practice, Marianne has held several public and advisory roles. She served as Chair of Amsterdam’s Commission for Spatial Quality, contributing to policies that promote integrated spatial quality across the city. From 2022 to 2026, she was the Dutch Railway Architecture Advisor (Spoorbouwmeester), advising national and local authorities on the spatial quality and development of station areas and railway environments.

Through her work as a designer, advisor and public advocate, Marianne promotes an integrated approach to city-making in which architecture, urban design and social ambition come together to create places where people can live, connect and thrive.