Hendrik Petrus Berlage was a Dutch architect considered the father of modern architecture in the Netherlands. He trained in Zurich and traveled Europe, being influenced by Italian architecture. In 1889 he started his own practice in Amsterdam. Notable works include the Amsterdam Stock Exchange (1898-1903), known for its honest use of materials and clarity of construction. The Municipal Museum in The Hague uses a grid plan and repetition of forms to create balance. Berlage also designed churches and furniture, drawing on American architects like Sullivan and Wright. He emphasized balance, symmetry, and highlighting materials' natural properties over decoration.

1. Works and
Influences of
Hendrik Petrus
Berlage
(21 February 1856 – 12 August 1934)

2. Architect whose work is characterized by a use of materials based on their
fundamental properties and an avoidance of decoration, exerted
considerable influence on modern architecture in the Netherlands.
Considered the father of Modern architecture in
Neatherlands
• Dutch architect and designer
•From 1876 to 1879 he trained as an architect in Zurich.
•Then traveled through Europe, particularly Italy. He returned to Amsterdam
and started his own practice in 1889
• Visit to the U.S. in 1911, Berlage studied American building American
architects Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright and introduced them to Europe

6. Stock Exchange in Amsterdam (1898–1903)
Ref:http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/Commodities_Exchange.html/cid_aj1726_b.html

7. Ref: http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbc-drawing.cgi/Commodities_Exchange.html/Commodities_Plan.jpg
•Romanticize the flatness of the wall (being true to the wall)
•Romanesque influence - Symmetry, semi circular arches, vaults
• Honest use of materials (all used materials should be recognizable
•Clarity of construction (no unnecessary ornamentation)
•Cast Iron and fiber glass were new materials that he used

9. Organisation: Berlage uses various shapes
and sizes, in the facade, to create diversity.
By repeating forms Berlage keeps a balance
in the facade
Plan to Section:
The Beurs is build on a grid of 3.8m by 3.8m. The
facade is designed using the proportions of the
Egyptian Triangle (5:8) in combination with the
grid of the floor plan.
Symmetry and Balance: Berlage creates a
segment of the facade which he repeates
throughout the building. The segmant are
individually symmetrical to emphasize the
balance.

10. Lighting: Locating a linear skylight along the
edge where a wall and ceiling plane meet
allows incoming light to wash the surface of
the wall, illiminate it and enhance the
brightness of the space.
Color: Berlage uses diffrent materials to
create differsity. And the materials are in
the same color range to emphasize the
balance.
Yellow: Brick
Grey: Steel
Brown: Wood

12. Municipal Museum, The Hague
The Gemeente museum Den Haag (Municipal Museum) is an art museum,
designed by the Dutch architect H. P. Belarge.
Influence of Modern architecture of F.L. Wringht and Louis Sullivan
The floor plan of the building is based on a grid of 110 by 110 cm

13. Plan to Section: The building is
designed on a raster of 1,10m by
1,10m which brings balances and
harmonie in the composition.
Symmetry and Balance: Berlage repeats
interlocking volumes to create order in
used forms and shapes.
He repeats this concept over the entire
building. The symmetry and balance is
found in different scales, from the
building complex to sub-elements.

14. Organisation: Berlage uses various shapes
and sizes, in the facade, to create diversity.
By repeating forms Berlage keeps a balance
in the facade.
Lighting: Berlage creates balance
through lighting by creating windows on
one side of the room.
Color: Berlage creates diversity by using
diffrent colors. Colors are used to define
form and shape. Every color has the same
size in width ore length. Which emphasize
the balance.

15. •The visitor is taken to the museum by
a long, glazed pergola so he can
gradually take away from the busy
street bustle.
•geometric design system

17. Church of Christ, Scientist, The Hague
Berlage turned to examples of American church architecture, particularly Sullivan’s
The aim was to design a church to seat 700, with a Sunday School for 200 pupils, and a
caretaker’s apartment.

18. Chair designs by Hendrik Petrus Berlage

19. Chair designs by Hendrik Petrus Berlage

20. Bibliography
• Giedion,Sigfried. Space, Time and Architecture: The Growth of a New
Tradition,1999,Harvard
University Press
• Postiglione, Gennaro . 100: One Hundred Houses for One Hundred European Architects of
the Twentieth, Taschen Press
• Sergio Polano: Hendrik Petrus Berlage – Complete Works. New York, Rizzoli International
Publications Inc., 1988
References
• July 17, 2010, Contemporary Architecture
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