Karel Petrus Cornelius de Bazel - Netherlands


The two free-standing, tower-like office buildings are among the best-known designs of the Dutch architect Frans van Gool and are located in the immediate vicinity of the Rijksmuseum. In their size, volumetry and contour, the buildings refer to the villas that had previously been on the site. The two buildings are located on the border between the canal zone and the 19th century districts. The two elegant office buildings with up to seven storeys have exposed brick facades. The façades are punctuated by a regular pattern of square windows without subdivision. The total of 312 windows with tinted panes are installed flush with the façade. In this way, the physical appearance of the buildings is emphasised. The controversial buildings became known in 1980 during the debate on the aesthetics of functionalist architecture. Local columnists were very negative about the buildings - only over the years had the criticism gradually subsided.
The Dutch architect Karel Petrus Cornelius de Bazel (14.02.1869 - 28.11.1923) is considered to have been influenced by Theosophy in his life and work. In 1894 he had joined the Thosophical Society. He was also involved in applied sculpture and glass art. As an architect, Karel Petrus Cornelius de Bazel designed country houses, apartment blocks, office buildings and the synagogue in Enschede. His residential buildings are located in the Dutch cities of Amsterdam, Bussum and The Hague. His most important work is considered to be the office building of the Dutch Trading Company on Vijzelstraat.

Der niederländische Architekt Karel Petrus Cornelius de Bazel (14.02.1869 - 28.11.1923) gilt in Leben und Werk als von der Theosophie beeinflusst. Im Jahr 1894 war er der Thosophischen Gesellschaft beigetreten. Zudem engagierte er sich auch für die angewandte Bildhauerei und Glaskunst. Als Architekt entwarf Karel Petrus Cornelius de Bazel Landhäuser, Wohnblocks, Bürogebäude und die Synagoge in Enschede. Seine Wohnbauten befinden sich in den niederländischen Städten Amsterdam, Bussum und Den Haag. Als sein wichtigstes Werk gilt das Bürogebäude der Niederländischen Handelsgesellschaft an der Vijzelstraat.

1919 - 1926  Office Building Nederlandsche Handelmaatschappij (Dutch Trading Company), Amsterdam