As an architect and bridge designer, Joris Smits' career has been strongly influenced by his civil engineering background. As managing director of Ney & Partners, he is responsible for the branch in the Netherlands, based in Delft. His understanding of structural design has profoundly defined him as an architect. Since the start of his career Joris has designed 325 bridges and other structures including 31 movable bridges, 170 pedestrian and bicycle bridges and 124 traffic bridges. Of these, 113 designs have been built. Joris is also an Associate Professor at Delft University of Technology, faculty of Architecture.