The Het Schip Housing Complex by Michel de Klerk [ Architecture Enthusiast ]

In a relatively short time span in the early 20th century (between 1910 and 1930), the so called ‘Amsterdam School’ of design and architecture showed the world a passionate synergy between artistic and social movements. The impulse of shaping and producing our living environment, both socially and physically, has changed the face of our cities as well as our daily life. The Amsterdam School stood for:

Social movement: elevating the population on the basis of progressive and liberal, socialistic and religious ideals, by practicing building and architecture, design, crafts and industrial production, art, politics, self-organization and education.
Style: plasticity, grace, movement, equilibrium, meaning and revolutionary architectural and artistic detailing but deeply rooted in building trade and crafts.
Spirituality: symbolism, naturalism, (natural) religion, dance and music.
The synergy, the total sum of these movements is essential to the understanding of The Amsterdam School. The interaction of these movements was a manifestation of modernity by which it entered the international stage. It heralded everything new and progressive, after the romanticism of neo-styles at the end of the nineteenth century.

Het Schip ("The Ship") is an apartment building in the Spaarndammerbuurt district of Amsterdam, built in the architectural style of the Amsterdam School of Expressionist architecture. It is the single most important example of this style of architecture, using the Brick Expressionism version.
The building was designed by Michel de Klerk. The building vaguely resembles the outlines of a ship. Its appearance is very unconventional from all angles.

Het Schip housing complex is a world-famous example of the Amsterdam School. Characteristic of this Dutch architectural style from the beginning of the 20th century is the sculptural use of brick combined with embellishments such as sculpture and wrought ironwork (Gesamtkunstwerk). Furthermore, the often expressive façades are fitted with ladder windows. According to the architect, nothing was beautiful enough for the worker who had lived so long without beauty

Standing near the northwest side of Amsterdam’s historic harbor is an impressive apartment complex, aptly named “The Ship” (Het Schip) for its waterside location. Also dubbed the “Worker’s Palace,” the complex advanced an ambitious new type of housing for the working class and unprecedented experiment in designed living. Designed by Dutch architect Michel de Klerk (1884–1923) and completed in 1921, The Ship exemplifies how integration of architecture with arts and crafts was at the core of de Klerk’s philosophy.
. Focusing on the high level of craftsmanship that was key to de Klerk’s vision and that was paramount throughout the construction of The Ship, with an eye towards the wealth of decorations that make it so special.

A stunning example of the Amsterdam School of architecture and design, The Ship shows off an essential—perhaps the most important—aspect of the school: its celebration and validation of craftsmanship. This value is evident in every aspect of The Ship, from its design and construction, to the careful choice of materials, decorations, and finishes.
The complex originally contained 102 apartments, a post office and a nursery school. Built on a triangular lot, the design allowed for an inner court containing small personal gardens and a modest community hall. No detail escaped de Klerk’s attention, as is evident in the careful placement of the strikingly colored brick and the design flourishes, such as small, carved windmills, that adorn its façade. He brilliantly achieved his goal of providing quality housing for those who had never been able to afford it.
Het Schip is distinguished by the innovative use of bricks, tiles, the many charming sculptural ornamentation by Hildo Krop, imaginative window designs, and even the typography is exclusively Amsterdam School.

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The Het Schip Housing Complex by Michel de Klerk [ Architecture Enthusiast ]
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