Genius Loci Amsterdam is the company where Harry Abels conducts his design research and consultancy work.
He founded GLA in 2019 alongside his architectural firm Abels & Partners, architects, which closed in February 2025. Prior to that, Harry was an architect-partner at IAA architects, where he built up an impressive portfolio. He was responsible for complex projects such as hospitals, large higher professional education and vocational education schools, and various housing projects (see CV). He is chairman of the spatial quality committee in Zwolle/Kampen and chairman of the Q team Spoorzone in Zwolle. He is the founder of the lecture series “De Stad in Loods 6” (The City in Shed 6). Until recently, he was a member of the BNA members’ council and a frequent jury member. This gives him a broad vision that can be detached from his own design ideas. ‘It is just as satisfying and stimulating to have an advisory role as it is to design myself.’
GLA offers the opportunity to investigate issues together with guest advisors. In addition to architects, urban planners and landscape architects, these include anthropologists, filmmakers, writers and art historians.
BNA
Throughout his career, Harry Abels has been committed to representing the interests of architects. Six years on the Members’ Council, Building of the Year jury, member of the former Staro and Stagg.
