Amsterdam School
Expressionist architecture with Groningen twist
In Groningen, you may suddenly come face to face with an ornate red-brick building full of details. These buildings were built in the 1920s and 1930s in the Amsterdam School style. But in Groningen style. Just a bit different. Less exuberant and with the craft of working with brick in the foreground. If you pay attention, you come across the characteristic buildings everywhere.
Stone in city
We go back a bit in time. About a hundred years. Groningen works like a magnet for workers from the surrounding area. And these, of course, needed a roof over their heads. Around that time, the Amsterdam School also emerged: a new, distinctive and characteristic architectural style. Robust. With decorations in the facades, filled with ladder windows and sometimes crowned with turrets.
Let Groningen be known at the time for its numerous brickworks. Not surprisingly, many Groningen architects felt in their element with the Amsterdam School. Entire residential areas were built in playful red brick. But also scattered through the city centre are graceful buildings with an eye for detail.
" From white and round to yellow and angular "
The Amsterdam School is all around you today. One of the highlights you encounter as you walk from the main train station and further into town via Ubbo Emmiusstraat. You soon look up against a high wall of dark brown brick. Around the corner you are caught by coloured facades. Inside, you marvel at the stained glass. The red and yellow of the window frames is typical of the Amsterdam School in Groningen. As is the angular character. Just a little different from the suburban variant, where white and round often predominate. This particular design was created by former city architect Siebe Jan Bouma, also known as 'Siep'. He was influential, opinionated and progressive. Not surprisingly, the city is full of his designs.
Walking through the city centre, you often pass his creations without knowing it. For instance, he designed many of the cosy bridge keeper's houses. But sometimes also the bridge itself, for example the Boteringe Bridge. And if you can't hold it in any longer and you visit a public toilet or urinior, chances are you will be surrounded by Siep's stones. For example at the Hoge der A and on the Grote Markt.
But even outside the city centre you are short of eyes. The striking railing of the Hereweg viaduct is also by Siep, in collaboration with artist Willem Valk. A little further on is the distinctive Rabenhauptschool, where white blends with yellow. Amsterdam with a Groningen twist.
" Surrounded by the stones of Siep "
Textbook example of beauty
Going into the residential areas, we see the coloured facades in many places. Take the Oosterpark neighbourhood, which many say is the working-class area of Groningen. The area is also a textbook example of the Amsterdam School. Starting at Gerbrand Bakkerstraat. With striking houses with blue and orange window frames and deep red doors. But het Oude Politiebureau also catches the eye. Lying on the corner of Sawmuldersweg and shrouded in a cacophony of colours. Today, you plop down on the terrace for a bite to eat and a drink. When you have finished eating, walk on to the so-called 'Blue Village'. A neighbourhood with farmhouses, right in a residential area. A hidden gem for many visitors but also for inhabitants of Groningen. And finally, you walk via Pioenpark to the, yes, Siebe Jan Boumaschool. Named as a tribute, it now serves as a community centre.
Churches of Egbert Reitsma
Architect Egbert Reitsma also designed houses and other buildings in the Amsterdam School style. However, he became really famous for his churches. The possibilities of brick turned out to suit the Groningen perception of religion so well that he was asked to design dozens of churches. You see it when you stand in front of the Goede Herderkerk in Bedum or the Reformed church in Appingedam. Stately, grand, but also sober and a little austere. Here you listen in awe to the pastor's words.
