Hijman Louis de Jong - 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.
Hijman Louis de Jong (01.01.1882 - 30.10.1944) developed from a carpenter's apprentice and cabinetmaker to an architect. He became famous in particular for his design for the Tuschinski cinema in Amsterdam. Due to conflicts with Abraham Tuschinski, Hijman Louis de Jong was unable to complete his design. Tuschinski had hired another architect during the construction, and the conflict culminated in a court case between De Jong and Tuschinski. As a result of the court decision, Hijman Louis de Jong was forced to leave the Tuschinski cinema. However, Hijman Louis de Jong also designed several houses in the Dutch capital, including Hacquartstraat, Reguliersbreestraat, De Lairessestraat and Sophialaan.

Hijman Louis de Jong (01.01.1882 - 30.10.1944) entwickelte sich vom Schreinerlehrling und Kunsttischler zum Architekten. Er erlangte insbesondere durch den Entwuf für das Kino Tuschinski in Amsterdam Berühmtheit. Aufgrund von Konflikten mit Abraham Tuschinski war es Hijman Louis de Jong nicht vergönnt seinen Entwurf zu vollenden. Tuschinski hatte während dem Bau einen anderen Architekten engagiert, und der Konflikt gipfelte in einem Gerichtsverfahren zwischen De Jong und Tuschinski. Aufgrund des Gerichtsentscheides wurde Hijman Louis de Jong gezwungen das Kino Tuschinski zu verlassen. Hijman Louis de Jong entwarf aber auch mehrere Häuser in der niederländischen Hauptstadt, darunter die Hacquartstraat, Reguliersbreestraat, De Lairessestraat und Sophialaan.

1921  Cinema Pathé Tuschinski, Amsterdam