Multidisciplinary practice De Zwarte Hond will open an exhibition from 25 October to 3 December 2025 at Aedes Berlin. 

Titled Optimistic Activism, Architecture, urbanism and the power of generosity, the exhibition will highlight the firm's design approach that examines generosity as both a spatial and social quality.

De Zwarte Hond Alliander Westpoort. Image © Scagliola Brakkee

Established in Groningen forty years ago, De Zwarte Hond has evolved from a conventional architecture company to a multifunctional studio employing more than 120 people. 

The firm, which has operations in Germany and the Netherlands, blends social responsibility with excellent architectural and urban design projects. 

De Zwarte Hond takes responsibility for the overall quality of the built environment and does not consider itself a traditional design firm. Instead, it views its work as part of a broader movement.

De Zwarte Hond Mercado Groningen. Image © Sebastian van Damme

The exhibition "Optimistic Activism" is presented in two areas. The HOW segment demonstrates the teamwork involved in their work, emphasizing the ways in which generosity affects social and spatial elements. 

Twelve examples that demonstrate the integration of social participation, design skill, and craftsmanship in the physical environment are presented in the WHAT section using models, drawings, and photographs.

De Zwarte Hond creates spaces that strengthen community ties and enhance local life by generating positive impulses through their approaches and projects.

De Zwarte Hond Station Assen. Image © Marcel IJzerman

Generosity

Generosity, viewed as a social and spatial attribute, is central to De Zwarte Hond's methodology. Projects are created using an open, frequently iterative approach that continuously expands knowledge while utilizing both internal and external expertise. 

According to De Zwarte Hond, being generous entails making room for dialogue, trial and error, and group education. It is demonstrated by open and honest processes, a readiness to include outside opinions, and a dedication to creating initiatives that go beyond the requirements of certain stakeholders. This method influences the entire process, from the initial concept to completion, as well as the final building. 

De Zwarte Hond SuperHub Meerstad. Image © Ronald Tilleman

Every project should be considered in its particular physical, social, and cultural context, according to De Zwarte Hond. The office looks at a site's social and political possibilities in addition to local factors. Its interdisciplinary approach uses a variety of sources to jointly establish project goals. 

From intricate architectural details to long-term spatial concepts, this enables the team to coordinate activities across many sizes. By encouraging interaction with clients, communities, and other stakeholders, this method aids in their comprehension of the work's larger social and political facets. 

De Zwarte Hond Theater Zuidplein Rotterdam. Image © Scagliola Brakkee

About the Exhibition

Optimistic Activism unfolds across two exhibition spaces at Aedes: Through a live chart and a spatial installation of films, the HOW introduces De Zwarte Hond's approaches in the first area, exposing references, inspirations, and collaborative strategies. 

The movies examine teamwork, craftsmanship, and the importance of open space, and a network-style map shows the factors influencing the office's operations. This collective "cloud" of concepts demonstrates how the studio disseminates information, transmits it, and engages in critical reflection on its work.

De Zwarte Hond Herta Mohr University. Image © Eva Bloem

Using models, sketches, materials, and photographs, the WHAT in the second area brings twelve projects to life, demonstrating how craftsmanship, design know-how, and social engagement manifest in the built environment.

The twelve projects include:

• Alliander Westpoort, offices, Amsterdam, NL (2023)
• De Bincker, housing/retail, The Hague, NL (2029)
• Frimmersdorf Power Plant, urban strategy/master planning/landscaping/offices, Grevenboich, DE (2024)
• Grunobuurt, master planning/landscaping/housing, Groningen, NL (2028)
• Hart van de Waalsprong, master planning/landscaping/retail/housing, Nijmegen, NL (2025)
• Rode Weeshuisstraat, offices/housing/retail, Groningen, NL (2023)
• Stadshagen, master planning/landscaping/housing/retail, Zwolle, NL (2026)
• Assen Station Area, master planning/public buildings, Assen, NL (2020)
• Superhub, public buildings/retail, Groningen, NL (2022)
• Tempelhofer Feld, urban strategy/public buildings/housing/landscaping, Berlin, DE (2025)
• Theater Zuidplein, public building/theatre, Rotterdam, NL (2021)
• Herta Mohr, public building/education, Leiden, NL (2024)

Also on exhibit is the graphic novel METRO 010, created by 18 illustrators as a friendly introduction to the story of Rotterdam. In order to engage the next generation in the future of the city, 20,000 copies that cover topics including mobility, climate change, inclusiveness, and migration have been distributed for free to high school students. A Groningen edition is currently being prepared for the book.

Architecture, urban planning, and spatial strategy are the areas of expertise for the multidisciplinary practice De Zwarte Hond. With more than 40 years of experience, the office creates context-sensitive ideas for everything from schools and buildings to regional planning initiatives and urban redevelopment. 

De Zwarte Hond Tempelhofer Berlin. Image courtesy of De Zwarte Hond

Its work fosters collaboration with clients, advisors, other architects, citizens, and users by fusing design competence with social and political awareness. Projects are intended to improve social and cultural infrastructure, add to long-term spatial development, and provide public value. With offices in Germany (Berlin and Cologne) and the Netherlands (Groningen and Rotterdam), the office has around 120 employees.

Exhibition facts

Exhibition name: Optimistic Activism, Architecture, urbanism and the power of generosity

Exhibition: 25 October – 3 December 2025

Opening: Friday, 24 October 2025, 18:30

Venue: Aedes, Christinenstr. 18–19, 10119 Berlin

The top image in the article: De Zwarte Hond Regulatuer Grunobuurt Groningen © Eva Bloem.

> via Aedes 

Aedes Berlin De Zwarte Hond exhibition