english summary | aorta 2010 | 63
The architect’s signature is equally visible in the
Rietveld and contemporaries
Zocher Park, a 19th century park in the English
interior. He designed, for example, the lamps
Wilhelmina Park and the streets surrounding it
landscape style
and benches that can be found throughout the
feature many remarkable buildings. During this
In 1828 J.D. Zocher (1791-1870) was invited by
premises, and also the furniture in the council
walking tour you will visit predominantly buildings
then mayor of Utrecht, Van Asch van Wijck, to
chamber. The historical structure of the intercon
designed by Gerrit Rietveld, such as the Rietveld-
design a park along the city moat, the location
nected medieval buildings has been made visible
Schröder house (1924), the renovated apartment
of the fortifications. In 1829 he transformed the
in various ways. The tour will go around and into
blocks across the street along Erasmuslaan
bastions into a municipal park, which it still is
this striking building.
(1931-34) and the chauffeur’s residence (1927).
today. Zocher Park in Utrecht is one of five Dutch
Duration: circa 1.5 hrs
The tour also includes designs of contemporary
parks belonging to the National Heritage. It is truly
architects, for example S. Ravesteyn’s private res
unique that much of the original lay-out is still rec
Contemporary architecture in the inner city
idence (1934) and the park pavilion. This pavilion
ognizable. Many of the original trees and tree
This guided tour focuses on 20th century architec
belongs to the Amsterdam School but has a very
clusters are still dotted around the park, which
ture in the city centre of Utrecht. The route links
romantic, rural feel to it.
stretches out over 4 kilometres.
up projects of architects who made a prominent
Around the park several other examples of the
The Zocher family from Haarlem has produced
contribution to the architecture in Utrecht, such
Amsterdam School can be seen, as well as a row
a line of famous landscape architects who
as Mart van Schijndel, well-known projects by
of recent, very modern villa’s, amongst which the
designed many gardens, parks and graveyards
Sluijmer & Van Leeuwen like the metal house built
Dubble house (MVRDV/Mastenbroek). It is a great
in The Netherlands. Jan David Zocher was the
on the smallest plot in Utrecht.
opportunity to compare Rietveld’s architecture with
most famous of them all, partly because of his
The tour will also visit an apartment building by
that of his contemporaries and to judge the extent
design for the famous Vondel Park in Amsterdam.
Belgian architect Bob van Reeth, which is espe
of his influence on architecture from later periods.
He also drew up plans for several neoclassical
cially designed to fit the historical situation, a
Duration: circa 1,5 hrs.
villas in and along the Utrecht Vondel Park, some
church yard, and incorporates the archaeological
NOTE: This excursion does not include a tour of
of which still decorate the park. An example of
finds dating from the medieval period. During the
the interior of the Rietveld-Schröder house. The
this is Lievendael (1862).
tour the focus will be on the refurbishment plans
Rietveld-Schröder house can be visited prior to
Duration: circa 1.5 hrs
of West 8 for Neude square and surrounding build
or after the walking tour. We recommend that you
ings such as the Neude tower (H.A. Maaskant,
book in advance. For reservations call the Central
Rotsoord and Toonkamer
1960), the main post office (J. Crouwel, 1924),
Museum: +31 (0)30 2362362.
Rotsoord is a special area in Utrecht. Through the
the town hall (Enric Miralles, 2000) and the munici
years, this part of the city has developed its own
pal theatre by W.M. Dudok (1941).
Master plan central station area
character. Its rich industrial history goes back to
Duration: 1.5 hrs
In 2002 the population of Utrecht has chosen by
the dark ages, characterized by the presence of
referendum for the transformation of the central
many brickworks. In the 17th century, Adriaen
Museums and the museum quarter
station area. The chosen approach will result in
Frans had built a villa, which he called Rotsoord.
The main theme of this walking tour is contempo
a lot of changes in the next few years. The area
Its name refers to the purple-red stone that was
rary architecture in the very peaceful southern part
will be enriched with two eye-catching buildings
produced as a bantling during the production
of the inner city, the so-called museum quarter.
in glass and steel, defining the heart of the city.
process. The facades of Villa Rotsoord were dec
By combining funds from the EU with the input
One is a new station hall with a waving roof
orated with this material. Rotsoord still contains
of inhabitants, entrepreneurs, museums, cultural
construction. The other is a music palace of
many buildings that tell the stories of its industrial
organisations and private investors, the local
43 meters high, made out of glass. Herman
past, like the water tower and the building of firm
government has cast a new light on the cultural
Hertzberger was asked to design the new music
Ondix. The best known building is the Pastoe
heritage of this area. Part of the project was the
palace, which will incorporate part of the old
Factory. This furnitureworks has grown organically,
restoration of the unique wharf cellars, the refur
music hall, also designed by Hertzberger.
by adding new departments to the main building.
bishment of the Old Canal and the opening up
Benthem Crouwel Architect, designer of the
The fuse-roof is one of the highlights of the build
of many hidden courtyards and almshouses.
Schiphol terminal, has made a design for the new
ing. Since 1982, the factory is accommodated by
Attention will also be paid to modern extensions
central station in Utrecht. Apart from combining
the Toonkamer. Over forty leading designers are
of museums and art galleries, as for example the
different kinds of public transport in one terminal,
showing their collection in interior design.
extension of the University Museum by Koen van
it also has to combine two different parts of the
Duration: circa 2 hours
Velsen, the extension and re-routing of the
city. Within a few years time, 2.5 times the amount
Catharijneconvent museum by Hubert Jan Henket,
of passengers passing through the Schiphol Air
Country estate Amelisweerd
the Central Museum (Beel en Achtergael) and the
port terminal will be using the public transport
The main part of Amelisweerd was laid-out in the
restoration of former 16th century city rampart
terminal in Utrecht. All the other changes to the
Middle Ages as a park belonging to three different
(now an observatory) Sonnenburg. This tour will
area and their respective time frames will be
manors. Amelisweerd was named after the knight
also focus on the issue of new developments in
explained in detail during this walking tour. The
Amelis de Insula who took up residence along the
a historical city with monuments and urban con
tour starts at the information centre of the station
river Kromme Rhine in 1224. Hardly anything is
servation area’s, illustrated by the domestic resi
area, where scale-models and interactive compu
known about the original manor Old-Amelisweerd.
dence of architect Robert van den Hout (winner
ter animations illustrate the plans.
However, many more details are available about
of the Rietveld Prize 2001), and the apartments
Duration: circa 1.5 hrs
the stately classicistical country house, which was
in the former church of St. Martin.
built in 1770. Country houses New-Amelisweerd
Duration: circa 1.5 hrs
and Rhijnauwen enclose the estate. The latter