ONL´s goal is to organise the design process in such a way as to outline a common design space, where all partners from client to engineer, from designer to end-user will find themselves comfortable to express their expertise. Each discipline, whereas the role of the Client and of the end-users are respected as a discipline, is invited and facilitated to perform to the best of their knowledge.

The simultaneous design work of the architects and the engineers will inevitably lead to a better synthesis of construction and architecture, where the one is the expression of the other. We create situations where designers and engineers work directly together, while crucial data are exchanged not only from person to person, but also from laptop to laptop during the design sessions. Digital techniques are supporting the augmented design process. Working inside the common design space leads to an enormous increase in mutual understanding and effective design solutions. The gain may be used in different ways, either to build faster and cheaper, or to increase the value within the budgetary constraints. ONL is clearly in favour of the added value strategy, and we have been able to realize numerous projects as built proof.

The knowledge of how to customize building components, of how to take advantage of the File to Factory [F2F] computer numerical controlled [CNC] fabrication processes, is deeply embedded in our design strategies. The exact geometry as produced by ONL for the structure as well as for the the skin components are communicated in precise Building Information Models [BIM] and are communicated with the manufacturers via in-house developed scripts to feed the CNC machines.

The role of ONL designers during the design sessions is that of the e-motive lead designer. We have developed a special sensibility towards e-motive design, embedding speed and emotion into the dynamic building bodies. We are continuously in search of the essence of the design task, responsive to the unique identity of the client. Together with the client we invent a appropriate fresh corporate image with a strong architectural expression, retro-actively responsive to the clients initial expectations. In this process we surprise both ourselves and our client, new design solutions are invented, based on our pragmatic attitude towards cost-effective and sustainable fabrication methods. Consistent design solutions eventually will trigger the development of new innovative manufacturing techniques, as we have shown with recently realized projects of ours like the Cockpit, the Acoustic Barrier, the Ekris Headlights, the Fside housing project, all in The Netherlands, and the 30.000m2 CET cultural center in Budapest and the 20.000m2 Al Nasser HQ office tower in Abu Dhabi, both now under construction.