ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

ARCHITECTURE
The historic architecture is a typical example of post-war ‘shake-hands’ architecture. This architectural movement was characterized by its combined use of functionalistic principles with a decorative use of natural materials. A good example of this movement is the exposed foundation in the lobby which is decorated with natural stone strips. The façades are characterized by a large diversity of materials from modern to traditional.

The surfaces of the sidewall consists of a masonry in ‘Enzelenzer tichel’ brick in which an ornamental pattern has beautifully been incorporated, the appearance in its current form is due to the need for restoration of the many damaged buildings during the war. The ‘Enzelener tichel’ was mainly applied for decorative and interior work.

What also amazes is the use of natural stone strips for the upholstery of the closed facades and the columns on the ground floor of the office building. In 2010 the building was officially listed as a reconstruct monument.

DESIGN
The interior design is warm and luxurious and brings contrast to the no-nonsense character of its architectural design. A mid-century modern style referring  specifically to the years immediately following the Second World War, from the mid-1940s to the late 1960s.

People wanted to put the war years behind them, and they embraced the new and modern. Gone were the overstuffed, overfilled rooms, replaced by decor with clean lines and minimal fuss. The construction of furniture was no longer clogged, but rather accentuated. The alternation with color, golden details and the use of wood make it a true Mid-Century Modern interior.

This experimental fifties style of the design just begs to be emphasized. Archetypical shapes and materials bring a feeling of home from a time when life seemed simpler.