Huis Sonneveld

About the museum

Huis Sonneveld was designed in 1932/33 by the firm Brinkman en Van der Vlugt, more precisely by Leendert van der Vlugt, for Albertus Sonneveld, a director of the Van Nelle factory. The same firm also designed the Van Nelle factory and the Feyenoord stadium. The family – Albertus, his wife Gésine and their daughters Puck and Gé – lived here in the style of Nieuwe Bouwen.

The house is regarded as one of the best-preserved homes of this movement and as a total work of art: architecture and furnishings are coordinated with one another, with tubular steel furniture by Gispen, glass from the Glasfabriek Leerdam, textiles by Chris Lebeau and vases by Andries Copier. It is a Rijksmonument.

After a restoration it opened as a house museum in 2001 and is run by Het Nieuwe Instituut. Visitors get free audio tours, can also explore the house in 3D by iPad or VR headset, and see a film about the 2001 restoration in a documentation centre. The rooms show how a wealthy Rotterdam family lived in the 1930s.

Highlights

• Functionalist house from 1933, one of the best-preserved examples of Nieuwe Bouwen
• Complete original furnishings with Gispen furniture and Leerdam glass
• Free audio tour in four languages and 3D/VR tour
• Documentation centre with a film on the 2001 restoration
• Designed by the firm behind the Van Nelle factory

Permanent exhibition

• Das Haus Sonneveld – The house itself is the exhibition: rooms, furniture and everyday objects of the Sonneveld family in the original state of Nieuwe Bouwen.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Het Nieuwe Instituut

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart, Rotterdampas, ICOM/ICAM, VriendenLoterij VIP card, Rembrandtkaart and We Are Public, and for members of Het Nieuwe Instituut.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of stairs and narrow corridors, the house is not suitable for wheelchairs and prams; the main entrance is narrow, but staff open a wider gate for wheelchair users. Those who cannot climb stairs can explore the whole house by iPad or VR headset in a studio on the ground floor. No toilets in the house (in the nearby Het Nieuwe Instituut). Assistance dogs welcome.

Kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Children under 18 have free admission; there is a Dutch-language audio tour for children. Prams are not possible in the house.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is at Jongkindstraat 12, near Het Nieuwe Instituut (Museumpark 25).

Amenities & dining

Toilets and café are in the nearby Het Nieuwe Instituut (Museumpark 25).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit