She is currently Professor of Architectural Design and Public Building at Delft University of Technology, and held the role of City Architect for Groningen (2021-23).

The work of De Vries focuses on the invention of new building typologies and the creation of changeable, open systems, an approach which she brings to both buildings and urban plans. Her projects are spatially varied and groundbreaking, always giving particular attention to the project’s interaction with the public domain. With MVRDV, De Vries develops sustainable and innovative concepts and working methods, and showcases them through exhibitions, publications, interviews, and lectures.

MVRDV was set up in 1991 by Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs and Nathalie de Vries after they won the first prize in the Berlin Europan Competition. Together with MVRDV, De Vries has won various awards for both individual buildings and for her entire oeuvre, such as the Amsterdamprijs, the Architizer A+ Award and Red Dot Design Award. Juries, clients, and end users alike appreciate the way she stretches the boundaries of existing typologies.

Well-known designs by Nathalie include two faculties for the University of Toronto, several projects for resilient urban design in Groningen, Vancouver and San Francisco, as well as the recently finished mixed-use projects for Mission Rock (San Francisco, US) and Ascension Paysagère (Rennes, France).

Nathalie de Vries studied architecture at the Delft University of Technology, receiving her diploma with honors in 1990. She has worked with Martinez Lapenas & Torres Arquitectos (Barcelona), D.J.V. Architects (Rotterdam) and Mecanoo Architects (Delft).

In addition, she is Railroad Architect for ProRail/NS, the firm responsible for managing the Dutch railway network. She has been guest professor at the Berlage Institute, the Academy of Building Arts in Arnhem, the Delft University of Technology and the University of Technology (TU Berlin).