MA L5 - Schroder House

De Stijl Movement (intro, origin and main focus)

Art movement founded in Amsterdam in 1917

"De Stijl" = "The Style."

Origin: Named after a magazine showcasing aesthetic and independent design principles, their main focus:

• Break away from historicism (taking inspiration from the past).

• Emphasize basic forms, colours, materials, and universal principles.

De Stijl Group (founder and key figures)

Began as a small collective of artists (painters, architects, poets) - GOAL: to create art as a synthesis of different forms and artistic expressions.

Spiritual Fathers: Theo Van Doesburg and Piet Mondrian.

• Role of Doesburg and Rietveld:

  • Translated abstract visual art into architectural design.

  • Created "total works of art" blending visual, sculptural, and architectural elements.

De Stijl (Philosophy & Goals)

(1) Modern Art Vision

• Return to the fundamentals of art.

• Surpass national borders and artistic conventions.

• Reflect the core structures of the mind.

(2) Architecture's New Role:

• Fresh perception of space as masses, spaces, and lines.

• Integration of art into everyday life through architecture.

De Stijl (Key Characteristics)

(1) Art as Synthesis - Unifying different forms of artistic expression (painting, architecture, poetry).

(2) Visual Revolution - Transition from traditional forms to abstraction in both art and architecture.

(3) Total Works of Art - Buildings designed to integrate art and daily function seamlessly.

William Curtis (3)

Quote where he states that the Schroder House is the first real building to:

(1) fully represent the De Stijl movement's ideas in form, space, and symbolism.

(2) a complete work of art that combines painting, sculpture, architecture, and practical design

A concept where art, architecture, and practical arts are fused together to create a unified composition.

(3) one unified and consistent expression

Piet Mondrian (2)

(1) Overview: Visionary painter

• Express universal principles found in nature.

• Transcend classical representation and connect to a higher spiritual meaning.

(2) Geometric order behind the universal order, and it was the artist’s goal as a spiritually gifted being to translate these principles into art that can be understood by the common man.

Theo Van Doesburg

(1) Geometric order as universal principle of art and life - task of the artists is to communicate this order to common man to lead to a better life.

(2) Three dimensions of space, introducing a fourth dimension: time.

• Time understood as the process of experiencing geometric forms by moving through them.

Gerrit Rietveld

• Rietveld (1888–1964) grew up in a family of furniture makers and trained in his father’s workshop.

• Designed the Chair in Red and Blue in 1917/18.

• Joined the De Stijl group in 1918.

• Influenced by architects like Taut, Lissitzky, van Doesburg, and Oud.

• Integrated his furniture designs into architectural works by these architects.

• Transitioned from furniture making to architecture.

Chain in Red and Blue (4)

(1) Translation of Mondrian’s paintings into a 3D object.

(2) Primary colors to define planes

(3) Autonomy: Planes appear disconnected, like floating elements

• Yellow sections emphasize infinite perpendicular lines through struts and rails.

(4) Demonstrates Rietveld’s exploration of spatial ideas on a smaller scale before applying them to architecture.

• Everyday objects like the chair served as tests for artistic principles and spiritual ideas.

• Crafted as a traditional wooden chair but transformed into an abstract object.

The Schroder House (Overview, Client, Location)

The Schroder House (1924)

• Serves as a 3D counterpart to the Red and Blue Chair, using similar principles of geometric abstraction and functionality.

• Built for Mrs. Schroder, contributed significantly - unconventional woman for the time, widow with 3 children, shared visions with Rietveld.

  • Wanted unconventional home, provide her with a space to work on her art - desire for a new way of life

  • Initially wanted to renovate flat, but Rietveld advised her to build a completely new house.

• Utrecht, not an experimental city in terms of art or De Stijl movement, but industrial hub. Plot on the outskirts of the city.

  • Design was bold, unlike anything in the neighborhood, broke away from logic of surrounding houses - responding to plot in provocative and unexpected way.

The Schroder House (Overall Concept)

• Represents the structure of the universe aligning with universal order.

• Horizontal and vertical planes translate abstract concepts into architecture.

• Small size: 7x10 meters

• Oriented towards the sun for better natural light.

• Traditional brick techniques, like nearby houses, but painted white to stand out.

• Black and yellow paint used to highlight Iron I-beams

• 3D composition with color enhancing spatial effects (Bright colors bring elements closer, dark colors add depth and distance)

• Facade features intersecting slabs:

  • Slabs extend beyond joints, emphasizing individual pieces and universal structure.

  • Some slabs appear to hover, supported by thin metal poles and struts.

  • Yellow struts highlight endless space and universal order.

• Impression of limitless, unconstrained space.

• Modern architectural features:

  • Corner glass windows.

  • Balconies.

  • Vertical I-profile beams.

First Floor

• Chose first floor as main living space, for more privacy and natural light.

• Movable walls, allowing for flexible room configurations (Night set-up vs day) - very innovative

• Experimental and avant grade design - complete open plan , large open space

• Glass corner, fully open windows, fully connected with the trees outside.

• Bathroom is only enclosed space.

Groud Floor

Much more traditional layout - rooms are fixed and separed from each other.

Rietveld combines two very different approaches to living.

Houses his architectural office, Mrs Schroder reading room, Kitchen with elevator, staircase with skylight.

Every element is designed by him, integrated his own furniture - total work of art.

Geometric Order

Design follows strict orthogonal grid.

Linking back to underlying principle behind Mondrian’s work and the De Stijl movement - represent a universal structure behind art and life.

Future uses and functions

Over the years, house has had different functions (eg. house was used as a Montessori school and an archive)

It’s interesting to see how the house, originally designed as a family home, was able to adapt to different functions.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

A designation given to the Schröder House in 2000 for its architectural significance and expression of De Stijl principles.

Red and Blue Chair

An iconic piece of furniture designed by Rietveld representing the principles of the De Stijl movement.

Flexible Living Spaces

The innovative design aspect of the Schröder House allowing for adaptable use of rooms based on daily activities.

Orthogonal Grid

The layout principle used in the Schröder House, emphasizing right angles and straight lines in design.

Abstract Composition

An artistic approach used by Van Doesburg and Mondrian focusing on geometric forms divorced from natural representations.

Glass Corner

A design feature in modern architecture, such as the Schröder House, enhancing the connection between interior spaces and the outdoors.

Constructivism

An art movement that influenced the De Stijl principles, focusing on a constructive approach to artistic expression.

Purity of Ideas

A design philosophy in the De Stijl movement that emphasizes simplicity, clarity, and a connection to universal truths.

Architectural Innovation

The creative use of traditional and modern materials as seen in the construction of the Schröder House.

Five Dimensions

The introduction of time as a spatial dimension in architecture, reflecting the process of experiencing space.

Fluidity of Space

The notion that spaces within the Schröder House can alter and transform, responding to the needs of the inhabitants.

Color Theory in De Stijl

The use of primary colors alongside black and white in De Stijl art, representing a quest for universal beauty through simplicity and clarity.

Functionality in Design

The principle that design should primarily serve practical uses, which is a central tenet in the works of Rietveld and the De Stijl movement.

Architectural De Stijl Influence

The impact of De Stijl principles on modern architecture, emphasizing geometric simplicity, functional spaces, and the integration of art into living environments.

Interdisciplinary Art

An approach in De Stijl where different artistic disciplines (painting, sculpture, architecture) collaborate to produce cohesive artistic statements.

Abstraction in De Stijl

A technique used by artists in the De Stijl movement, moving away from representational art to focus on pure form and color.

Rietveld’s Design Philosophy

An approach focused on creating functional yet aesthetically pleasing designs that often incorporate innovative uses of materials.

Impact on Modern Design

The lasting influence of De Stijl on contemporary design practices, especially in minimalism and functional architecture that values simplicity and unity.