Iconic buildings that stand out because of their architecture, historical value or simply because they cannot be ignored. Buildings that make you wring your neck. From unusual pumping station to Villa Kakelbont: Groningen is full of them. The best thing is to go out and spot them yourself. But luckily there are also enthusiasts like Roel Siebrand and TipTopTientje who capture them for you, so you can admire them from home too.
Rabenhauptschool | School example
Rivierenbuurt - The Rabenhauptschool on Rabenhauptstraat was designed by Siebe Jan Bouma, also known as Siep. Quirky, influential and progressive, and this is reflected in his work. The school, built in 1929, was built in an expressionist cubist style and later served as the Graphic Museum. Now it is home to an architectural firm that is restoring the interior stap by stap . The building nods to the Amsterdam School and Willem Marinus Dudok, with sintered bricks and colourful woodwork. The white-painted bricks give it its own twist.
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Dudok pumping station | Refuelling in style
Inner city Oost - This pumping station on Turfsingel was designed in 1953 by Willem Marinus Dudok, whom you already met at the Rabenhauptschool. There were once 112 of this type in the Netherlands; now only two remain. This national monument is the only one still standing on its original site. It started as an Esso station, later became BIM and then Gulf. In 2018, the pumps closed for good, but the building remained. After a refurbishment, it was given a new life and a bakery now sits here. So you can still refuel there, but with coffee and something sweet.
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The Bloemenbuurt | Groningen school
Oosterpark neighbourhood - In the Oosterpark neighbourhood, it is not one house, but an entire neighbourhood that is remarkable: the Bloemenbuurt. Built between 1925 and 1928 , it was also designed by architect Siebe Jan Bouma. As Groningen's city architect, he worked in the style of the Amsterdam School, with a touch of cubism here and there. The Bloemenbuurt shows how he translated the idea of the garden city to the city: green, rhythmic and well thought-out. Funfact: In 1951, Bouma made the architectural design of Madurodam.
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Villa Biwema | Villa Kakelbont
Usquert - Also known as the Villa Kakelbont of the Hogeland, and that is no exaggeration. Villa Biwema was built in 1903 for gentleman farmer Hendrik Reinders, to the design of Groningen architect Gerrit Nijhuis. This is art nouveau at its best, a cross between Villa Kakelbont and a Sisi castle. The villa is full of detail and colour, outside and inside. Marble, stained glass and ornate finishes create a rich ensemble that is still well preserved. Not for nothing a national monument, including the coach house.
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A selection of the many special gems:
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Petrus Hendrikszstraat
Petrus Hendrikszstraat
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Housing complex Eyssoniusstraat
Housing complex Eyssoniusstraat
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Funeral home Garsthuizen
Funeral home Garsthuizen
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Wiebengacomplex
Wiebengacomplex
Shop with upstairs flat | History
Westerhaven - This 1932 building on Westerhaven is by architect Henri Rots, who lived and worked here himself. Everything is right, down to the details. The façade is Amsterdam School in Groningen: playful brickwork, a curved edge and a striking use of colour. Just a bit more exuberant than in Amsterdam. Inside, it is just as special. The interior has hardly changed since its construction. Not a national monument for nothing. Rots was in the resistance and used this house for hiding and consulting. In 1944, he was caught and shot. That gives the building an extra charge.
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Vakwerkvilla | Green must do
Oosterpoortwijk - On the north side of the Zuiderpark, opposite the Verbindingskanaal, stands this half-timbered villa from 1905. Designed by Groningen architect P.M.A. Huurman for J. van Bruggen, with influences of chalet style and art nouveau. The colour also helps: frog green and anything but modest. Not original, but a real eye-catcher. Almost this green paradise had disappeared. In 1986, the city wanted to demolish the entire neighbourhood for offices, but residents thought otherwise. With a fierce protest, they stopped the demolition and the neighbourhood was even given protected cityscape status.
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Double villa | Mirror Mirror ...
Oranjebuurt - On Nassaulaan are two double villas from 1928, designed by Egbert Reitsma in the Amsterdam School style . They are two mirrored houses, commissioned by Van der Elst and Koets. Reitsma gives the style his own twist, with an almost cubist, Groningen interpretation. Over the years, both villas have been extended, with varying results, but the character has remained. And once again you see it: the Groningen variant of the Amsterdam School is outspoken, colourful and just a bit more idiosyncratic.
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Pastorie with character
Engelbert - On the Woldjerspoorweg stands the pastorie of Engelbert, designed in 1928 by Ad van der Steur in Amsterdam School style. The building came after the old pastorie had to make way for the Woldjerspoor railway line. Van der Steur gave the design his own twist, with a striking floor plan that seems to 'nod'. The house stands at the bottom of a dike, so the living level only starts on the first floor. The use of colour is also striking and in keeping with the distinctly Groningen interpretation of the Amsterdam School.
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