A.J.H.M Hook (1930-2018) Alex Johan Henri M. (Lex) Haak was born in Haarlem on February 9, 1930. Studying architecture at the Technical High School in Delft allows Haak to cash in on his talent for drawing. He graduates in 1957. During his studies he already gained work experience, including at the architectural firm of J.P. Kloos, during a stay in America at the architectural firm of Harkness & Geddes and at the architectural firm of Holt & Bijvoet. After graduating in 1957, Lex Haak left for America on a one-year scholarship to continue his studies at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Among other things, he takes lectures there from the South American architect José Luis Sert. During this period he also worked for several months at the architectural firm Johnson & Whitcomb. After his return, he completed his military service and shortly after his discharge in 1960 he started his own architectural firm in Delft. Among his early works is Haak's design for a residence, general practice and pharmacy in Wezep (1963). He also designed a residence on the Noordeindseweg in Berkel (1968-1970). Larger projects such as offices and shopping complexes followed later. He designs several offices for the Algemene Bank Nederland (ABN). The Delft bank building of 1969 is special: the rectangular, modern building was equipped by Haak with a floating roof, consisting of hyppar shells, suspended on three steel pillars. It is popularly called "The Three-Master. The green-painted ABN building after his 1981 design, erected in a kind of neo-Jugendstil, led to vehement reactions in the press in Delft: it was referred to as a "little gnome bank building. In 1976 Haak realized the residential and retail complex In de Veste, also in Delft.Haak made a name for himself with complex conversions and restorations. In 1975 the conversion and expansion of the office of F. van Lanschot Bankiers in Eindhoven was completed. In 1978 Haak realized one of the most impressive museum rooms in the Netherlands for the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. With natural stone walls and floors, a dark ceiling and special lighting, Haak provided a magnificent home for the Nubian temple of Taffeh. In 1980, Haak is responsible for the restoration and renovation of this same National Museum of Antiquities. In 1984, Haak acted as advisor for the finishing and interior design of the renovation and expansion of the Provinciehuis in Friesland in Leeuwarden. In 1986 he realized the restoration and furnishing of the town hall in Baarn, and in 1988 he delivered a competition design for the redevelopment of Domplein. His great attention to the experience of interior spaces result in an appointment as professor at the Faculty of Architecture of Delft University of Technology, where he teaches finishing and furnishing of buildings from 1980 to 1992. Note: the oeuvre of A.J.H.M. Haak has not been (completely) inventoried; see also the book on Haak by Peter Zwaal (Delft, 1991). Secondary activities: TH Delft/lecturer of structural form study/1962-?;TU Delft/ professor of architecture/1980-1992 Honors: officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau/1965