In the year 1954 Gilles Geluk started his own architectural firm. In the first years Gilles designed predominantly residential homes, but in the twenty years that followed the order book has broadened to business premises, schools, churches, retirement homes and housing complexes, allowing the agency grew in size.
Hans Treurniet was born in 1946 in The Hague, he completed his study at the HTS and his study at the Rotterdam Academy of Architecture. As his experience and study progressed he got the lead on projects and took part in design processes. In 1974 he started working at Architectural firm Geluk, in 1978 he became collaborating architect and co-director in 1980. The name of the agency changed to Architectural firm Geluk Treurniet.
In January 2009, Sjaak Nuijt (1952), already attached to GTA since 1988, was promoted to office manager. Sjaak Nuijts has extensive experience as a project leader. Gilles Geluk died in 1981, but the agency kept its place in the Rotterdam region, and led numerous assignments in residential and commercial buildings.
The agency has specialized in certain areas, such as the conversion of derelict buildings (factories, churches). By acquired expertise in retirement homes the firm expanded their work into the entire health sector, including nursing homes and residential care complexes.
After the fall the Iron Curtain, this experience was also used to advice local authorities and an Elderly Foundation of the former GDR. After 50 years, the agency has grown to a midsize agency with 16 employees. The name changed to Geluk Treurniet Architects.
The work area now covers beside the Rotterdam region also the middle and eastern Netherlands. The organization has adapted to the size and weight of complex contracts in health care. The agency is constantly aware of the rapid, subsequent social changes in health care and the related legal regulations.
The firm is aware of its responsibility as a company towards society, not just locally but globally. For that reason, management and staff unanimously decided in 2003, as part of the half centenary of the agency, to put their knowledge to work for disadvantaged youth in Ethiopia. After consultation with the Dutch aid agency and Word & Deed Foundation, Hans Treurniet undertook a journey through Ethiopia and made contacts with the Addis Ababa-based Ethiopian NGO Hope Enterprises. Geluk Treurniet Architects has designed the program and spatial master plan for the new Hope College. At the anniversary meeting on November 11, 2004 at St. Laurens Church in Rotterdam the Master Plan was transferred to the Executive Board of Hope enterprises.
Two years later, in December 2006, the groundbreaking ceremony took place; this started the implementation of the project. Currently the constructors are finishing the Hope College
In 1976 the firm moved to its current location in the centre of the Vlaardingen. In mid 2007, this firm was thoroughly renovated and expanded considerably creating a modern and even more productive environment.