Piet Kramer - 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 Piet Kramer (01.07.1881 - 04.02.1961) is one of the main representatives of the Expressionist Amsterdam School. Trained as a draughtsman, Piet Kramer worked as a ship's carpenter before becoming an architect. From 1902 to 1911 Piet Kramer worked in the office of Eduard Cuypers. From 1917 to 1952, Piet Kramer worked as an architect in the public building administration. Of great importance was his work in the office of the Aesthetic Advisor in Amsterdam, where he was responsible for bridge building, among other things. Not only residential and commercial buildings date from this period, but also numerous bridges over canals. These buildings still characterise the image of the Dutch capital today.

Der niederländische Architekt Piet Kramer (01.07.1881 - 04.02.1961) zählt zu den Hauptvertretern der expressionistischen Amsterdamer Schule. Ausgebildet als Bauzeichner arbeitete Piet Kramer als Schiffszimmermann, bevor er als Architekt tätig wurde. In den Jahren 1902 bis 1911 arbeitete Piet Kramer im Büro von Eduard Cuypers. Von 1917 bis 1952 war Piet Kramer als Architekt in der öffentlichen Bauverwaltung tätig. Von grosser Bedeutung war dabei seine Arbeit im Amt des Ästhetischen Beraters in Amsterdam, wobei er unter andem für den Brückenbau verantwortlich war. Aus dieser Zeit stammen nicht nur Wohn- und Geschäftshäuser, sondern auch zahlreiche Brücken über die Kanäle und Grachten. Diese Bauwerke prägen bis heute das Bild der niederländischen Hauptstadt.

1924 - 1926  Department Store De Bijenkorf, The Hague