In his inaugural lecture Architectuur als bewijs, Freek Schmidt argues for understanding architecture not merely as aesthetic object or isolated artefact, but as a historically grounded, culturally mediated practice that both shapes and reflects the lived environment. Drawing on case studies such as the VU Main Building and broader debates about obsolescence and urban planning, Schmidt highlights how built environments carry layered meanings and material histories that are often overlooked in contemporary sustainability and redevelopment scenarios. He critiques prevailing short-term, economically driven approaches to design and transformation, and advocates for a practice of zorg (care) that foregrounds long-term stewardship, historical insight, and collective responsibility for the living environment. Central to his thesis is the claim that existing environments, when read as evidence of past intentions and uses, can inform more grounded, responsible futures for architecture and urbanism.