Auguste van Oppen (Heerlen, 1981) grew up in The Netherlands, the United States and Japan. After completing the International Baccalaureate programme in 1999, he started studying architecture at Delft University of Technology. Through extensive internships and temporary employment opportunities he was active in the practical field of architecture as of an early stage. In 2006, he graduated with distinction and his graduation project was nominated for Archiprix, the annual exhibition of the best Dutch graduation projects. Upon being awarded first prize in Europan 9 together with Marc van Asseldonk, the two architects established their own practice O+A.

Marc van Asseldonk (Boxtel, 1979) received a master degree in architecture from Delft University of Technology in 2006. Working at the offices of prof. dr. ir. Paul Meurs and dr. Marinke Steenhuis, he performed several cultural and historic analyses preparatory to large sensitive urban redevelopments. Studies included those into the Lijnbaan and the Laurenskwartier, both of which in Rotterdam. In 2007 he teamed up with Auguste van Oppen to design a Europan 9 entry for the Amsterdam site. Upon being awarded first prize, the two architects established their own practice O+A.