Huis Sonneveld Rotterdam - Museum

In the dynamic urban landscape of Rotterdam there is a special architectural jewel that offers a fascinating insight into the history of modern living: Huis Sonneveld. This remarkable house, designed by the Dutch architects Brinkman and Van der Vlugt and completed in 1933, is one of the best-preserved examples of the Nieuwe Bouwen movement, the Dutch variant of modernism in architecture.

>Sonneveld House was commissioned by Albertus Sonneveld, one of the directors of the Van Nelle Factory, another iconic modernist building in Rotterdam that was also designed by Brinkman and Van der Vlugt. The house embodies the ideals of the Nieuwe Bouwen: functionality, light, air and space. With its clean lines, minimalist design and technological innovations, the Sonneveld House was far ahead of its time and is considered a milestone in Dutch architectural history.

Upon entering the house, visitors are treated to a carefully restored interior that offers a vivid impression of life in a modernist house in the 1930s. The open floor plan, abundant windows and use of light colors create a feeling of space and light, while the original furnishings, designed by the architects and other prominent Dutch designers such as W.H. Gispen, reflect the aesthetics of the Nieuwe Bouwen.

House Sonneveld also featured a series of technological innovations that were extremely progressive at the time. The house was equipped with a central heating system, a built-in audio system, an intercom and an ingenious system of blinds and shutters. Also special was the kitchen, designed with efficiency and ergonomics in mind, and equipped with an extractor hood, an electric stove and a built-in refrigerator - a novelty at the time.

House Sonneveld is now managed by Het Nieuwe Instituut, a Dutch institute for architecture, design and digital culture. The house is open to the public and offers a unique opportunity to experience a modernist masterpiece up close. Guided tours and audio tours are available, allowing visitors to learn more about the history of the house, the architects and the inhabitants.