On (the) T at Franken

.…Pam Portheine and Dorien Franken-van Ham from agency FRANKEN.

What does your company do?

“‘We are a project management firm that acts as a director in the construction industry. But that actually undersells us,’ said Pam. ‘Indeed,’ responded Dorien. ‘We are a versatile firm. Our areas of work are often Culture, Sustainability and Monumental, with those central themes playing an increasingly important role in our work. Thus, at the end of last year we became an Accredited Monument Advisor and thereby the only certified project management firm in the Netherlands.’”

“In doing so we emphasize in the process how you apply sustainability in real estate in the broadest sense of the word. Of course by redeveloping the real estate in question with respect for the past, but also in what way the rich history continues to live on in the future story. And how the specific socio-cultural value of the heritage can be preserved through social participation’.

What is your role?

Pam: “I've already been working here at bureau FRANKEN for almost 2 years, after I graduated with the 'Domusdela' project. I mainly focus on the 'soft' side of heritage transformation by involving various stakeholders closely in the process and the intended end result”. This is also the reason why we feel so incredibly at home in the Innovation Powerhouse. Being together with other companies on one and the same work floor provides broad knowledge and experience. But this actually applies to all of Strijp-T. For example, we now quickly manage to find other companies to, together with and for the Strijp-T community, come up with a plan for the use of the monumental weigh house”.

Dorien, who has been with FRANKEN for 20 years working in Finance & Control, adds: “in addition to the presence of many diverse disciplines in our team of over 30 people, the open space here strengthens the collaboration with Adviesbureau Van de Laar. You can very easily and quickly walk up to one another or meet in meeting rooms or during the various fun moments that are organized for the Strijp-T community”.

“The Strijp-T community also strengthens our own community within Franken” Pam explains. “By connecting with our team at the Strijp-T events as much as possible, you naturally create chance encounters, which often in turn can lead to new creative ideas and innovation.”

“If you know anyone who also gets excited about participation/community building. We're still looking for a great new colleague!”

At whom do you want us to go on the T next time and why?

Pam answers immediately “With Kevin Peels of Evido Innovative Film Production, because he and I attended the same secondary school and now regularly run into each other again at Strijp-T.”