Huis van Zessen

About the museum

The Huis van Zessen is a dike house from 1923 in Alblasserdam, the birthplace of the urban planner Cornelis van Eesteren. It was built by his father's construction firm on behalf of the widow Burgerina van Zessen-Stout. While it was under construction, Van Eesteren was working in Paris with Theo van Doesburg and Gerrit Rietveld on the De Stijl exhibition at the Galerie L'Effort Moderne. Van Doesburg designed the colour scheme for the window frames, windows, doors and shutters based on the drawings Van Eesteren had brought along; the coloured drawing with instructions for the painter was sent by post to Alblasserdam. The architect did not see the finished house in its colours himself until the turn of the year 1923/24. In spring 1924 the French magazine L'Architecture Vivante published the design.

With its austere volumes, flat roof and functional elements in primary colours, the house is regarded as one of the earliest examples of functionalist architecture. In the early 1990s the Van Eesteren-Fluck & Van Lohuizen Foundation, which manages the estate of Van Eesteren and his partner Theodoor van Lohuizen, acquired the dilapidated house. The architect Bertus Mulder restored it and turned it into a museum house; the original colours were reinstated.

Today an exhibition shows how the house came about and what it signifies, as well as the short but fruitful collaboration between Van Eesteren and Van Doesburg in 1922/23. Volunteer hosts welcome visitors by appointment and guide them through the house. The Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam supports the museum house with advice and exhibition material, and the house belongs to the international Iconic Houses network.

Highlights

• Dike house from 1923, one of the earliest examples of functionalist architecture
• Colour concept by Theo van Doesburg based on drawings by Cornelis van Eesteren
• Restored by Bertus Mulder, original colours reinstated
• Tour with volunteer hosts
• Virtual 3D tour on the website
• Member of the Iconic Houses network

Operated by

Van Eesteren-Fluck & Van Lohuizen Stichting

Admission & discounts

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

By car, take the A15 to exit 22 (Alblasserdam), then follow the "Molens" signs to West Kinderdijk 89.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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