Sonneveld House, Rotterdam
Sonneveld House stands as an exceptional example of Dutch Functionalist architecture, meticulously preserved through the years. Constructed in 1933 by the renowned architectural firm Brinkman and Van der Vlugt, the villa was envisioned for Albertus Sonneveld, then a leading figure at the Van Nelle Factory. The architects conceived a holistic design approach, seamlessly integrating architecture, interior design, and furnishings into a harmonious whole.
Bathed in natural light and characterized by an expansive ambiance, the residence boasts an array of balconies and generously proportioned windows that offer captivating views of the encompassing garden. Remarkably, nearly all the furniture and lamps adorning the interior were meticulously crafted by the esteemed Gispen company, with certain pieces even tailored exclusively for the Sonneveld family. This bespoke touch underscores the family's penchant for opulence and well-being. Consequently, Sonneveld House transcends being a doctrinaire embodiment of functionalism, evolving into a distinctly individual living space.
The preservation of comprehensive written records, photographs, and films of the structure up until 1999 paved the way for the preservation foundation, VHN of Rotterdam, and the Netherlands Architecture Institute to embark on a meticulous restoration project. Thanks to the unaltered structural state and the wealth of documentation available, Sonneveld House has been splendidly restored to its original splendor, now standing as both a residence-turned-museum and a testament to Dutch Functionalist architectural heritage.
Why You Should Visit:
To get a sneak peek into what was hip & progressive living in the '30s.
Unique, clever, has character and is very well restored.
You'll be surprised to see how much ahead of their time the designers of this house were back then.
Tip:
The audio tour is free and very comprehensive. Alternately, you may get a tour with a guide who will add value with remarkable details about Sonneveld.
Bathed in natural light and characterized by an expansive ambiance, the residence boasts an array of balconies and generously proportioned windows that offer captivating views of the encompassing garden. Remarkably, nearly all the furniture and lamps adorning the interior were meticulously crafted by the esteemed Gispen company, with certain pieces even tailored exclusively for the Sonneveld family. This bespoke touch underscores the family's penchant for opulence and well-being. Consequently, Sonneveld House transcends being a doctrinaire embodiment of functionalism, evolving into a distinctly individual living space.
The preservation of comprehensive written records, photographs, and films of the structure up until 1999 paved the way for the preservation foundation, VHN of Rotterdam, and the Netherlands Architecture Institute to embark on a meticulous restoration project. Thanks to the unaltered structural state and the wealth of documentation available, Sonneveld House has been splendidly restored to its original splendor, now standing as both a residence-turned-museum and a testament to Dutch Functionalist architectural heritage.
Why You Should Visit:
To get a sneak peek into what was hip & progressive living in the '30s.
Unique, clever, has character and is very well restored.
You'll be surprised to see how much ahead of their time the designers of this house were back then.
Tip:
The audio tour is free and very comprehensive. Alternately, you may get a tour with a guide who will add value with remarkable details about Sonneveld.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rotterdam. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Sonneveld House on Map
Sight Name: Sonneveld House
Sight Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands (See walking tours in Rotterdam)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands (See walking tours in Rotterdam)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Walking Tours in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Rotterdam
Creating your own self-guided walk in Rotterdam is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Rotterdam Introduction Walking Tour
Dutch poet Rien Vroegindeweij once captured the city’s essence with a simple line: “If everybody comes from somewhere else, nobody is a stranger.”
The name Rotterdam comes from a straightforward origin: the river Rotte and a dam built across it. The river name “Rotte” is thought to mean “muddy water” or perhaps “hurrying stream”, while the suffix “-dam” refers to the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The name Rotterdam comes from a straightforward origin: the river Rotte and a dam built across it. The river name “Rotte” is thought to mean “muddy water” or perhaps “hurrying stream”, while the suffix “-dam” refers to the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Delfshaven District Walking Tour
Part of the old city of Rotterdam, the borough of Delfshaven – situated on the right bank of the river Nieuwe Maas, is rich in history. Prior to 1886 it had been a separate municipality which grew around the port of the city of Delft.
Delft itself was not located on a major river, so in 1389 a Voorhaven (outer harbor) to the south, along with the Aelbrechtskolk waterpass, had to be created to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Delft itself was not located on a major river, so in 1389 a Voorhaven (outer harbor) to the south, along with the Aelbrechtskolk waterpass, had to be created to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Cheese Shops in Rotterdam
Although many countries claim cheese to be their unique product, Dutch cheeses are indeed an iconic, standalone thing. Amid a cornucopia of different cheeses made in The Netherlands, there are quite a few internationally-famed ones originated in Rotterdam.
It is therefore only natural to find a plethora of specialty shops in the city fit to warm the heart of any cheese lover, be it a finder, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
It is therefore only natural to find a plethora of specialty shops in the city fit to warm the heart of any cheese lover, be it a finder, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Souvenirs Shopping: 16 Genuine Dutch Things to Buy in Rotterdam
Just as any other major Dutch destination, Rotterdam is associated with sea, excellent cheeses, marvelous beer, good food and, generally speaking, good taste. A set of gifts from Rotterdam will duly reflect any, if not all, of these qualities. Listed here are some of the items that might prove well...