Rijk Blok was born on April 23, 1959, in Oosterhout, the Netherlands. He started his career at TU/e as a student of structural engineering, graduating in Constructive Design in 1986. At the same time, he followed the part-time course in visual design at the Design Academy Eindhoven, thereby laying the substantive foundation to inextricably link structural design and design. This discipline-transcending and integrated perspective continued to play an important role throughout his work, and he is a lasting example to many in this respect.

After his studies, Rijk held various positions as a structural engineer, project manager and architect. In the early 90s he worked as a lecturer in structural engineering at the Pedagogical Technical Hogeschool Eindhoven, now part of Fontys University of Applied Sciences, where he trained future (Secondary) Vocational Education teachers of structural engineering. At that time, he also started his own consultancy firm, focusing on structural design assignments. In 1999, he returned to the department as assistant professor of Structural Design, a role he himself said from the first moment was tailor-made for him. Looking back, he more than lived up to that.

Creative structural engineer

Rijk had a passion for structures and combined this seemingly effortlessly with the perfect sense for the intentions of the architectural design. This led him to take on the role of structural engineer for many prominent consummate projects, such as 'Happy Street', the Dutch pavilion in the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, and the 'Revolving House' in Tilburg, both designed by architect and artist John Körmeling. He was not only interested in solving complex structural problems but was also continuously looking for innovative (structural) solutions, preferably within the context of a sustainable environment.

In recent years he explored the possibilities of circular design. In close collaboration with colleagues, he managed to transform this into major (international) research projects into both the reuse of existing structural materials in new building projects and the design of structures using bio-based materials. The state of the research is shown in Rijks's most recent work that was opened on April 22 last: the flax bridge at the Floriade 2022 in Almere. The project involved intensive collaboration between science, industry and communities to demonstrate that innovations aimed at climate protection and a circular economy can be applied through innovative use of materials for structural purposes. Not only did Rijk want to do his job well but do it in the right way.

Well-loved teacher and valued colleague

Rijk had his own style of teaching, in which the student was central, and he was there simply to give the student the opportunity to learn the subject for himself. He did this by asking questions, but most of all by being genuinely interested in the student and the intentions behind his or her work. Not surprisingly, our students describe him as a coach, a good friend, and as the best mentor they could wish for. There is an entire generation of alumni who have had the opportunity to discover the beauty and importance of structural design thanks to Rijk.

He was far from finished with this. In current research on circular design, he collaborated with colleagues and directed large teams with several PhD, PDEng and master students. His door was always open to every student. During the pandemic he got current projects underway with some of them. For many of the international students who, in a difficult period of lockdowns, came to the Netherlands precisely for the projects, he was not only the research leader and the content expert, but also the colleague and the person who was there for them when mental support was needed.

Impactful yet modest

Rijk lived for his profession, but it was not in his nature to put himself in the foreground, no matter how special and impactful his work was. What many people don't know, for example, is that he was the author of the Book of Tables for Structural and Hydraulic Engineering, which is still used as a reference book by professionals and students. Colleagues could have this book on their shelves for years, without Rijk even mentioning that he had written it.

Rijk was doing insanely wonderful things and was regularly asked to tell the media more about his work. Even then it was not about Rijk, it was never 'his' work, or 'his' project. He talked with enthusiasm and passion about his profession, and he just got on with his work without describing it himself as special. This attitude was in his nature and made him a particularly pleasant colleague to work with. A colleague who, like no other, understood the art of connecting colleagues from all corners of the department.

We as a department are incredibly proud of all he has done. Rijk, we are all going to miss you so much!

A condolence register has been opened in Vertigo 9.17 for those wishing to pay their last respects to Rijk and leave their recollections and condolences. The condolence register is available up to and including Thursday, May 19.

The department board
Theo Salet, Maarten Hornikx and Merle Rodenburg