Herman Zeinstra, Amsterdam

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Herman Zeinstra, founder of Dok architects.

His expertise and humor will always remain a source of inspiration.

We wish Liesbeth, Daniel and family strength with this loss.

Management and employees of Dok architects


Herman Zeinstra BSc. Arch. (Harlingen, 1937) took the BNA architecture examination after studying architecture and construction at the engineering and technical college.
After working at an Amsterdam architectural practice in Amsterdam and Tel Aviv, he started his own architectural practice in Tel Aviv in 1969.
On his return to the Netherlands he established himself as an independent architect in Amsterdam in 1975. In 1995 he set up Atelier Zeinstra van der Pol jointly with his partner Liesbeth van der Pol.

The practice expanded rapidly and gained a reputation with a wide variety of projects, including housing and cultural and industrial buildings.

Herman Zeinstra was cofounder of Dok architects in 2007. Zeinstra’s work carries a recognisable signature: clear proportions, an expressive use of materials and great attention to detail.
Detailed sketches drawn by hand have always formed part of his design process.
Herman Zeinstra has received various prizes for his work over the years, including the Dino cup for the doyen of Dutch architecture in 2002 and the Amsterdam Zuiderkerk Prize in 2005.
Besides his work as an architect, Herman Zeinstra has been and still is attached as a guest lecturer to various universities and academies. He has undertaken many architectural journeys and served on various juries. He is currently attached as a lecturer to the Architectural Academy in Amsterdam.

The oeuvre of Herman Zeinstra was awarded in 2009 with the 'Oeuvreprijs Fonds BKVB Bouwkunst'.