From Berlage to Koolhaas, A Hundred Years of Dutch Architecture
‘A Hundred Years of Dutch Architecture shows the conceptual strength of Dutch architecture in the 20st century
The exhibition A Hundred years of Dutch Architecture shows models of five cornerstones of the 20st century Dutch architecture: Beurs van Berlage, the Rietveld-Schröderhuis, the Van Nelle fabriek, Van Eyck’s Burgerweeshuis en Koolhaas’ theater. Other models on show are by Winy Maas, Jo Coenen, Michiel Riedijk, Kees Kaan en Dick van Gameren.
Dutch architecture 1901 - 2000
In Dutch 20th century architecture one can see five main approaches to architectural design: traditionalism, expressionism, functionalism, rationalism and post-modernism. Most buildings are a crystallisation of various approaches, illustrated by five buildings shown in this exhibition: Berlage’s Mercantile Exchange (1903), Rietveld’s Schröder House (1924), the Van Nelle Factory by Brinkman & van der Vlugt (1931), Aldo van Eyck’s Orphanage (1959) and the Dance Theatre by Rem Koolhaas OMA (1987). Fifteen years ago these developments in Dutch architecture, starting with Berlage and going up to Koolhaas, were followed by a new wave. A generation of young architects followed Rem Koolhaas’ footsteps and developed a flashy architecture that swings with the market. Their designs were published in architectural magazines all over the world. One can characterize this architecture with the word ‘speed’, both in terms of its production and its consumption. Dutch design always seems to be one step ahead of convention, setting new directions in design and architecture. This is illustrated by a series of buildings also shown in this exhibition: The Netherlands Architecture Institute by Jo Coenen (1993), the library of the Delft University of Technology by Mecanoo (1998), two apartments and a children’s theatre by Tony Fretton (2001), the Silodam Housing by MVRDV (2002), the Netherlands Forensic Institute by Claus en Kaan Architecten (2004), the Royal Netherlands Embassy by Van Gameren en Mastenbroek (2005), the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision by Neutelings Riedijk Architects (2006) and Social Housing by De Nijl architects (2008).
