In memoriam Goof Spruit On January 2 (2018), architect Goof Spruit passed away. The founder of JHK Architects, formerly architektenburo spruit de jong heringa, turned 96 years old. The foundation of JHK Architects was laid on November 1, 1955 by K.F.G. 'Goof'' Spruit. Immediately after completing his engineering studies in Delft, he joined the architects Holt & Bijvoet in Overveen in 1949. From 1950 to 1953 he did his military service as an engineering officer where he was involved as an architect in the realization of five barracks complexes. In the period between 1953 and 1955, Goof Spruit gained further experience with architect J.P. Kloos in Haarlem. The establishment of bureau ir. K.F.G. Spruit b.i. architect b.n.a. took place in a period of reconstruction. World War II and the crisis years before had left the infrastructure and building stock in a poor state. Optimism and rapid population growth created a great demand for new buildings. The Netherlands had a growing population and an emerging service sector. The war was over and people were striving for a modern way of life, improved hygiene, progress and space for greenery. Modernism prevailed. Like many of his colleagues, Goof Spruit drew inspiration from the Nieuwe Bouwen movement. He maintained a good and often friendly relationship with many of his fellow architects. For various urban expansion plans, Spruit collaborated with other architects. For example, for the realization of Hoog Catharijne, the basic urban plan was produced in a collaboration between the architects Spruit, van Kasteel and van der Grinten. In the cooperation with others Spruit consciously sought motivation to get the best out of the assignment. With fellow architects but also with engineers and builders. The client received a building that could stand the test of time in the sense of flexibility, usability and a future adaptability. Sustainability "avant la lettre". Even within his firm, a forward-looking view of the future was an important starting point for operations. Over the years, continuity was ensured in a partnership with architects Herman de Jong and Watse Heringa. Spruit can be seen as a "moderate brutalist": architecture had to be both functional and honest. In many cases the construction was left visible and was an important part of the spatial concept. At the same time, a technically advanced facade was given an extra layer of mosaic or subtly protruding detailing. Yet it was not material or construction that dominated his designs. Quality took precedence over design. A building not only had to radiate its function, but this function also had to be practiced effectively. Spruit was chairman of the board of the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture from 1958 to 1966. From the establishment of bureau K.F.G. Spruit b.i. architect b.n.a. in Haarlem in 1955 until his retirement from architektenburo spruit de jong heringa in 1984, he has always been an inspiring director/architect. After that he was always involved with the people who brought "his" office further. Important works by Spruit were the pumping station Blocq van Kuffeler for the polder Zuidelijk Flevoland in Almere, the National and Municipal Archives in Utrecht, large parts of Hoog Catharijne, the AMEV house in Utrecht and the lock complex for the Lauwerzeewerken department in Lauwersoog. The modern and functional design tradition initiated by Spruit lives on in JHK to this day. New design assignments are conceived based on their unique opportunities, but above all on their functional and timeless usefulness.