In 2007 the Governmental Service for Archeology, Cultural landscape and Monuments (RACM) selected 100 intact buildings from the reconstruction period in the Netherlands for future incorporation in the Governmental List of Protected Monuments. Although this was considered as an interesting start, the private volunteer organization for cultural heritage ‘Heemschut’ stated that the selection was not representative. Particularly the absence of special categories, such as town halls and ensembles of houses, was the reason to start our own inventory. Although some communities had made surveys of reconstruction buildings themselves, most of the work had to be done by volunteers of the Heemschut organization. Selection criteria were formulated and applied to several hundreds of buildings and ensembles. Ca 25 per district were chosen and compiled in a booklet, as one characteristic item was given special attention. During the one year course of the project it became obvious that 13 buildings were at risk and 12 demolished already. A number of these were built by famous architects such as Van Ravesteyn, Kloos, Boks, Blom, Duintjer and Wentink. The brochure and this project evoked attention of the government and local authorities and public awareness by articles in the press and items on local and regional television stations. In that way the campaign succeeded already. In the near future a second phase of this project will deal with the guidance of activities in individual cases, developing of a format for a survey and all types of media contributions to propagate the significance of the reconstruction period.

1. Future listed buildings and
ensembles
From the reconstruction period
(1940-1965) in the Netherlands
Drs Willem Heijbroek
Heemschut

2. • Heemschut was founded in 1911 at Amsterdam as
a general organization for the protection of
historical buildings and other monuments.
• During the course of time in the provinces
councils were created and it became the largest
private organization in this field.
• Monuments and characteristic buildings in danger
of demolishing were protected by actions at the
level of town, province and country.
• In this way large numbers of valuable buildings
could be saved.
Heemschut protects cultural
heritage

3. Headquarters of
the Heemschut
organization
Korenmetershuis, Amsterdam

4. Development during the course
of years
• Within the framework of Heemschut groups of
specialists were formed.
• In this way o.a. Menno van Coehoorn, Cuypers
society, farm foundations and the Dutch mill
association originated.
• The last ten years Heemschut has widened its
scope into ensembles, cultural landscapes and its
historical elements, the floating heritage and the
more recent architecture.

5. The organization of Heemschut
• Governing board consisting of chairman,
secretary, treasurer and chairmen of all
provinces.
• Administrative bureau with general
director, technical and juridical expert,
department public activities and recently
projectgroups as task force.
• Editorial staff producing the periodical of
Heemschut.

6. Project Reconstruction
architecture
• In 2007 the Governmental Service for
Archeology, Cultural landscape and Monuments
(RACM) selected 100 intact buildings (1940-
1958).
• This was an interesting start but insufficient and
dangerous; sinmce what would happen with 101?
• The selection was not representative and
Heemschut started a survey, based on its own
selection criteria.

7. Buildings selected by RACM in Zeeland

8. Categories of heritage to be
protected
• Public buildings, town halls, institutions
concert halls
• Business buildings, banks, shops, hotels.
• Industrial complexes, factories, bridges.
• Homes and quarters.
• Cultural landscapes with farms, polders,
water works.

9. Town Hall Kapelle, Berghoef and
Klarenbeek 1951

10. Church Ouwerkerk, Klokke
1956

11. Flax and linen industry; Koewacht ca 1950

12. Farm, Overslag 1942

13. Town Hall, Oostburg. Wentink
1957-58.

14. Windows, glass in concrete
Hendriks

15. Flushing, Crane on wharf ca 1955

16. Oosterschelde bridge, Rijkswaterstaat 1961-1965.

17. Water-tower at Oostburg, van Eck 1951. Fire-station
at Goes, 1954

18. Criteria for protection
• Quality and unicity.
• Characteristic for the area in Zeeland: water
management tools, emergency houses.
• The ensembles, quarters and re-allotments.
• The level of maintainance and housing
should not play a role.
• The threat of demolition.

19. Emergency houses after inundation
in 1953, Nordic type.

20. Emergency farm, after inundation in 1945,
Veere .

21. St. Maartensdijk,
Wentink and van Dijk
1956.
Fresco of Peter Alma,
saved by Heemschut

22. House by Götzen,
Flushing 1947
Torn down in 2008

23. Characteristic integration of art
and architecture
Britannia, Flushing,
Joost Boks and Bram
Middelhoek,1954-1960

25. The main entrance of
Britannia,1960.

26. The unique mosaic frieze
by Louis van Roode
running form outside into
the interior of the
restaurant, 1955.

28. The concert hall and
café with windows
placed quadrangulair
for an optimal view

29. Parts of the mosaic frieze by Louis van Roode

31. The state of Britannia in 2007 was miserable,
but the concrete framework and roof were still
in good shape.

32. Three genrations of artists: Louis van
Roode, Marte Röling and unknown graffiti

33. Presentation of the Britannia project of
Heemschut;10th international DoCoMoMo
congres

34. The quarter called ‘Griffioen’
Middle class houses in a park area at
Middelburg

35. 112 homes built by A. Rothuizen
1948-1950

36. During the course
of time the green
spaces have
developed into a
real park

38. In the outer area bungalows
have been built in a similar
concept.

39. The landscape architect C.P. Broerse designed the
surrounding area. In 2003 the municipality of
Middelburg planned additional houses in the green
area which was prevented by the inhabitants

40. The inhabitants
organized
themselves in a
foundation to
prevent further
demolition of the
environment.
They developed
initiatives for
revitalization of
the houses by
planning similar
sheds.

41. Four elements: nature, leisure, education and game.

42. This project is a unique
example how a group of
citizens can protect their
neighbourhood from
demolishing by joint
effort.
They formed a
organization of
volunteers with a
number of activities and
even edited an
information leaflet.

43. Recognition and partnership
• Heemschut Zeeland recognized the special
character of this quarter and estimated it as
the best ensemble from the reconstruction
period.
• The municipalty of Middelburg changed
their view and is now on speaking terms
with the organization, helping them to
provide funds for revitalizing.