The Rietveld -Schröderhuis is not climate-proof and sustainable, but you must visit this amazing and unique masterpiece of UNESCO World heritage. The Rietveld Schröder House in Utrecht has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since the year 2000, how cool is that?
➔ UNESCO – World Heritage – Rietveld Schröderhuis Utrecht
Gerrit Rietveld architect of the Rietveld Schröderhuis
The Rietveld-Schröderhuis was built on assignment by Ms. Truus Schröder and designed by the Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld. The design of Rietveld’s house is based on (architectural) criteria as formulated by the art movement “De Stijl”. The idea behind the design of this residential building was that every room should have the most modern technology of that time: light, gas, and water. Truus Schröder brought her ideas and wishes about living into the design. Living and not being lived, leaving the earthly and ascending which, in her opinion, had a liberating effect. To experience this sense of liberation, the living room and bedrooms are on the 1st floor, and movable walls were installed instead of fixed walls.
Rietveld Schröderhuis is based on strict style principles
Dutch Art Movement “De Stijl”
The art movement “De Stijl” was founded by a Dutch group of artists in response to the chaos of the 1st World War. The art movement was active between 1917 and 1931. Members of the Dutch art movement De Stijl were among others Gerrit Rietveld, Theo van Doesburg, Willem Hendrik Gispen, and Pieter Mondriaan. You can recognize a work of art based on the principles of the “De Stijl” by a unique sense of harmony and balance, geometric shapes, the primary color areas red, yellow, and blue, the use of black, white, and gray, and the use of horizontal and vertical lines in the artworks.
Location of the Rietveld Schröderhuis, from rural to the city center
At the time when the Rietveld Schröderhuis is built, the house stands on the edge of the city of Utrecht. The house offers a view over green fields separated by hedges and in the distance the lush forest of Amelisweerd. The spot where The house is located in a quiet rural area where one can hardly avoid enjoying life.
After the Second World War, the city of Utrecht expands enormously, it is a time of many changes and lots of houses are built around the Rietveld Schröderhuis. To make matters worse a viaduct for a motorway surface is being built in front of the place. The view from the Rietveld Schröderhuis changes dramatically for its inhabitants: the Rietveld Schröder couple. Luckily the Rietveld Schröderhuis is still exactly in the same shape as it was when it was built. Nothing on the inside or the outside of this remarkable construction has changed over the years.
➔ Museum Rietveld Schröderhuis – UNESCO – World Heritage – in the city of Utrecht
Gerrit Rietveld, an architect and furniture designer
The architect Gerrit Rietveld is initially a furniture maker, he learns this trade from his father. He doesn’t like traditional heavy furniture at all and he specializes in new architectural styles. In the evenings he takes classes in, among other things, technical drawing. Rietveld becomes especially famous for his furniture designs, architecture, and graphic work. Various museums include his furniture in their collections. His most famous work is the red and blue chair. Gerrit Rietveld passes away in 1964 and is buried at the Soestbergen cemetery in Utrecht. The town where he is born and lives his whole life.
