About
A Journey of Design, Research, and Collaboration
I began my academic journey in building engineering at Avans Tilburg and then architecture at TU Delft, with an interest in how spaces influence human health, behavior, and well-being. From learning about colors, nature, and proportions to designing therapeutic environments for forensic psychiatric healthcare, my early projects explored the interplay between building, behavior, experience, and people. These experiences shaped my focus on designing research-informed healthcare environments.
My PhD at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden deepened this focus, investigating architectural interventions as part of transitions in healthcare, particularly exploring how health promotion models can be integrated into the design of hospitals and healthcare organisations. Returning to the Netherlands, I’ve embraced applied research and education, working at Inholland University to connect theoretical insights with practical, participatory projects.
Key milestones include my PhD thesis (2020), initiating the Health-Promoting Built Environment Taskforce (2021), publishing BUILD 2.0, and winning the WoonZorg Challenge. These achievements reflect my commitment to advancing healthier, more equitable living environments through design and collaboration.
1. Education
2020 - PhD - Doctor in Philosophy (240 ECTS)
Chalmers University of Technology; Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering; Division of building design
2017 - Technical Licentiate
Chalmers University of Technology; department of Architecture and Civil Engineering; Division of building design
2012 - Master of Science in Architecture (120 ECTS)
Faculty of Architecture, Delft, University of Technology, the Netherlands
- MSc Thesis: Building for Forensic Psychiatric Care (60 ECTS)
- History Thesis: The history of building for the criminally insane (6 ECTS)
2009 - Pre-Master Architecture (30 ECTS)
Faculty of Architecture, Delft, University of Technology, the Netherlands
2007 - BBE - Bachelor Architecture & Construction Engineering (210 ECTS)
Avans Hogeschool, Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Bachelor Thesis: Sickening and Healing Architecture
2006 - Minor - Architecture (30 ECTS)
Academie van Bouwkunst, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Diplomas & certifications
2018 - PhD Summer School (3 ECTS)
Faculty of Architecture, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
2010 - Architecture Didactics (van Gezel tot Meester) (21 ECTS)
Faculty of Architecture, Delft, University of Technology, the Netherlands
2010 - International Workshop: “Backside of the City”
School of Architecture Copenhagen
2006 - International Workshop: "Connecting the City"
Bochum Teknikal Hoghshule
Honors
2018 - Honours - Best research proposal - CAUP PhD Summer School (3 ECTS)
CAUP, Tongji University, Shanghai, China;
2013 - Selection Archiprix 2013
Selection TU Delft for Archiprix 2013 – of best graduate the Netherlands
2012 - Honours - Master Thesis (120 ECTS)
Faculty of Architecture, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
2. Employment
Research employment
Lecturer-researcher (docent-onderzoeker)
(September 2023 – now)
Division of Built Environment; Department of Technology, Design and Computing; Inholland University of Applied Science, Haarlem & Alkmaar
PostDoc
Furbish Sustainable Hospitals (June 2020 – June 2022)
Division of Architectural Method & Theory; Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering; Chalmers University of Technology, SE
Project Assistant
Furbish Sustainable Hospitals (February 2020 – June 2020)
Division of Architectural Method & Theory; Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering; Chalmers University of Technology, SE
Doctoral Student
Architectural Interventions Dwelling, Ageing and Healthcare – AIDAH (September 2014 – June 2020)
Division of Building Design; Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering; Chalmers University of Technology, SE
Research Assistant
Grondslagen (2013-2014)
Division of Methods & Analysis, Faculty of Architecture, Delft University of Technology, NL
- Grondslagen 1; housing
- Grondslagen 3; public buildings
Student Assistant
Delft voor Docenten (2011)
Teacher Education Programme, Faculty of Science Communication & Education, Delft University of Technology, NL
Educational employment
Inholland Bouwkunde (2023 - *)
- project 1 – designing a temporary researchers home
- project 5 – redesigning office building
- project 7 – transform a senior housing facility
- concept and analysis
- building physics 1,2
- research and reporting techniques
- history of building and architecture
TU Delft Bouwkunde
- tutor (2012)
- guest lecturer (2014-*)
- course co-coordinator and supervisor (2022-2023)
Chalmers School of Architecture (2014-2022)
- tutor / supervisor (2014-2022)
- visiting critic (2014-2022)
- lecturer (2014-2022)
- course developer / (acting) examiner (2019-2022)
Architectural Design employment
Architectural Researcher (2022-2023)
Amsterdam, NL
Jury Member
Europan 13 Sweden (2015)
Gothenburg, SE
Founder
Studio Elke Miedema freelance architect, Den Haag, NL (2013-2014)
- (2020) Quarant: expert advisor for children’s care homes and school
- (2014) Alliander: Energy Storage at Home.
- (2013) Healthy Urban planning Helsinki – Europan 12 contribution
- (2013) Symbiosis in Development – System thinking Workshop RHDHV
Associate
- (2013) Architect & project manager Mundo Antwerpen
- (2013-2014) Project manager of ‘Future Proof Buildings’ trajectory
- (2013-2014) Urban Renaissance
- (2014) Initiator and Project manager of Except College
Junior Architect & Researcher
Vitibuck Architects, Rotterdam, NL (2012)
- (2012) Researcher for Charlois aan het Water in Rotterdam
Project Member
Dorp, Stad & Land, Rotterdam, NL (2008-2009)
- Organisation ‘Ruimte Kwaliteits Prijs Zuid-Holland’ (spatial quality Award)
- Support legislation ‘Omgevingswet’ (environmental code)
Architecture Intern
AS Architecten, Tilburg, NL (2006)
Construction Site Planning Intern
Bouwgroep Moonen, Tilburg, NL (2005)
3. Courses
3rd Cycle courses
General transferable skills
- Teaching, learning and evaluation – GFOK020
- Sustainable development: values, technology in society, and the researcher – GFOK105
- Introduction to writing for publication – GFOK080
- Information literacy – GFOK030
- Career planning, your personal leadership – GFOK010
- People in flow – personal efficiency – GFOK100
- Oral popular presentation – GFOK070
Architecture specific
- Approaches – Methods for knowledge (co) production in architectural research and practice
- Theories – Tendencies in architectural and urban research: Focusing on everyday life
- Study trip on the topic ”Urban development”