H.P. Berlage is for me personally the architect of the building i entered for nearly 25 years, worked in and have practically known my entire life. Of course this is the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag. Initially people did not like the building at all and thought it a badly designed ” public swimming pool”, but you must visit this building multiple times before it opens its true qualities to you. It really is of a rare quality and can be considered as the last, but also ultimate designed Berlage building in which the extreme details open up when you look long enough. Berlage known for his architecture was also a very gifted furniture and book designer and brought all these qualities together into his buildings. There is so much to be told on Berlage, but the best one can do is visit the buildings which this architect build. Fortunately the very best examples are to be found in places a random tourist is likely to visit when he or she visits the Netherland.
Amsterdam has the Beurs, Otterlo /Kroller Muller museum has the “jachtslot” and of course Den Haag has the Gemeentemuseum. so for you next visit to Holland visit these and start your visit with a Berlage book for sale at www.ftn-books.com
