Dezeen Magazine

Key projects by Herman Hertzberger

Key projects by Herman Hertzberger

Here's a selection of projects by Dutch architect Herman Hertzberger, who was named as this year's Royal Gold Medal recipient this morning.

Montessori School, Delft (1960-66)

Top: portrait by Hans van den Bogaard
Above: Montessori School, Delft (1960-66), photograph is by Johan van der Keuken

Hertzberger will receive the prize in February 2012 - more details in our earlier Dezeen Wire story.

Montessori School, Delft (1960-66)

Above: Montessori School, Delft (1960-66), photograph is by Herman van Doorn

Here's Hertzberger's biography from the RIBA:


Born in 1932 Herman Hertzberger opened his own firm of architects in 1960, the present-day Architectuurstudio HH in Amsterdam. One of his major influences on 20th century architecture was to challenge the early modernist belief that ‘form follows function’ - that the shape of the building was defined by its purpose.

Lin Mij (textile workshop) Amsterdam (1962-64 – demolished)

Above: Lin Mij Textile Workshop, Amsterdam (1962-64), demolished, photograph is by Jan Versnel

Hertzberger believes that the core function of a building does not provide the total solution to space usage: it is a framework that should enable its users to interpret and define how they inhabit it.

Lin Mij (textile workshop) Amsterdam (1962-64 – demolished)

Above: Lin Mij Textile Workshop, Amsterdam (1962-64), demolished, photograph is by Jan Versnel

His buildings offer flexible ‘in between’ spaces that encourage our deeper human needs of dwelling and social activity.

Centraal Beheer Apeldoorn (1968-72)

Above: Centraal Beheer Apeldoorn (1968-72), photograph is by Aviodrome Luchtfotografie

His celebrated Montessori School in Delft (1960-66) rethought the way that classrooms were laid out, with L-shaped rooms creating different zones.

Centraal Beheer Apeldoorn (1968-72)

Above: Centraal Beheer Apeldoorn (1968-72), photograph is by Willem Diepraam

Images of children playing and learning on broad wooden steps as a creative space inspired many architects of schools across northern Europe.

Centraal Beheer Apeldoorn (1968-72)

Above: Centraal Beheer Apeldoorn (1968-72), photograph is by Willem Diepraam

His exemplary workplace Central Baheer in Apeldoorn (1968-72) was designed with the needs of the individual at its core and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment in The Hague (1979-90) was one of the first buildings to develop the idea of the internal street or elongated atrium to encourage social interaction and get light into all the rooms.

Diagoon Housing, Delft (1969-70)

Above: Diagoon Housing, Delft (1969-70)

Apolloscholen, Amsterdam (1980-83)

Above: Apolloscholen, Amsterdam (1980-83), photograph is by Frits Dijkhof

Apolloscholen, Amsterdam (1980-83)

Above: Apolloscholen, Amsterdam (1980-83)

YKK Dormitory, Kurobe, Japan (1991-98)

Above: YKK Dormitory, Kurobe, Japan (1991-98)

YKK Dormitory, Kurobe, Japan (1991-98)

Above: YKK Dormitory, Kurobe, Japan (1991-98)

Chasse Concert Hall, Breda (1992-95)

Above: Chasse Concert Hall, Breda (1992-95), photograph is by Herman van Doorn

Chasse Concert Hall, Breda (1992-95)

Above: Chasse Concert Hall, Breda (1992-95), photograph is by Herman van Doorn

Waternet Head Office, Amsterdam (2000-05)

Above: Waternet Head Office, Amsterdam (2000-05), photograph is by Duccio Malagamba

Waternet Head Office, Amsterdam (2000-05)

Above: Waternet Head Office, Amsterdam (2000-05), photograph is by Duccio Malagamba

Media Park and Housing Cologne, Germany (2004-04)

Above: Media Park & Housing Cologne, Germany (2004-04), photgraph is by Duccio Malagamba

NHL University Leeuwarden (2004-10)

Above: NHL University Leeuwarden (2004-10), photograph is by John Lewis Marshall

NHL University Leeuwarden (2004-10)

Above: NHL University Leeuwarden (2004-10), photograph is by John Lewis Marshall

NHL University Leeuwarden (2004-10)

Above: NHL University Leeuwarden (2004-10)

Coda Shelter for Culture (museum) Apeldoorn (2004-11)

Above: Coda Shelter for Culture (museum) Apeldoorn (2004-11), photograph is by Herman van Doorn

Coda Shelter for Culture (museum) Apeldoorn (2004-11)

Above: Coda Shelter for Culture (museum) Apeldoorn (2004-11), photograph is by Herman van Doorn

Faculty of Science University of Utrecht (2006-11)

Above: Faculty of Science University of Utrecht (2006-11)

Faculty of Science University of Utrecht (2006-11)

Above: Faculty of Science University of Utrecht (2006-11), photograph is by Rob Hoekstra