Overview
De Stijl architecture is a Dutch artistic movement that was established in the early 20th century.Considered to be a branch of the Dutch Modernist movement, De Stijl also known as neoplasticism,inspired a number of influential works by a number of architect and designers,such as Gerrit Reitveld,Jacobus Oud,Hendrik Wijdeveld,Vincent Van Duysen.De Stijl typically features clean lines,geometric shapes,angle forms,flat planes and often bright colours,with the aim of creating functional,simple art.
Elements
The works of De Stijl architects and designers often incorporate the same elements and feature similar design concepts,including: utilization of rectangular shapes,geometric patterns,a predominance of horizontal and vertical lines,as well as minimal use of color.In addition to these design choices,it is also important to take into consideration furniture and architectural elements,including floorings,ceilings,and wall treatments,along with furniture and fixtures.All these elements may be styled with a special accent in the De Stijl style.
Notable Buildings
The following are some of the most famous buildings constructed in the De Stijl Style:Gerrit Rietveld’s Schroder House,Hendrik Wijdeveld’s Spacerexperimental house,Jacobus Oud’s Sonnenbisschen Building,Vincent van Duysen’s Sint-Maria-Oudenhove,and the Schindler House.All these buildings make use of the simplest forms and primary colours.
Gerrit Rietveld’s Schroder House
A leading figure in Dutch Modern architecture, Gerrit Rietveld designed the famous Schroder House in Utrecht,1924.The house is a textbook example of the principles of De Stijl,as it incorporates the use of rectilinear shapes and primary colours .White,black and grey are the dominating colours used throughout the interior,while bright colours are used in some places.The house features a terrace,a garden,and a spacious living area.
Hendrik Wijdeveld’s Spacerexperimental House
Hendrik Wijdeveld’s Spacerexperimental house was built in 1926 in Utrecht.The house is an exemplar of De Stijl architecture due to its use of simple geometric shapes,straight lines,flat planes and bright primary colours.The building also features colourful windows,symmetrical patterns on the exterior walls and a terrace.The inside of the house is equally impressive, featuring a large hall and two guest bedrooms.
Jacobus Oud’s Sonnenbisschen Building
The Sonnenbisschen Building designed by Jacobus Oud and built in 1928 is one of the most iconic examples of De Stijl architecture. The building has a rectangular shape and a flat roof,and the walls consist of chequered surfaces with yellow,red, and blue squares.The building also features a unique spiral staircase that leads to the main hall with a domed ceiling.The maximum height of the building is about 11.4 metres.
Vincent Van Duysen’s Sint-Maria-Oudenhove
Vincent van Duysen’s building Sint-Maria-Oudenhove is a former monastery dating from the 16th century,built in Oudenhove,Belgium in 2010.The main building of the monastery was restored using the principles of De Stijl, with the use of simple shapes and vibrant primary colours like red,yellow and blue.The building has been constructed with two floors and a basement,with the interior featuring modern furniture designs inspired by the minimalistic spirit of De Stijl.
Schindler House
The Schindler house designed by Rudolph Schindler in 1922 Los Angeles is another example of a De Stijl style building.The building is composed of several elements including a central stairway,a studio,and two master bedrooms. The house is famous for its use of geometric shapes,rectilinear forms,and planes of colour.The main hall of the house has unique details, such as a windowless wall with coloured squares and a yellow ceiling.
Interior Design
When it comes to interior design,De Stijl features simple,functional furniture,as well as primary colours to create a harmonious and visually pleasing atmosphere.Simplicity is key when it comes to De Stijl,with basic shapes,straight edges and contrasting colours being the norm.The use of straight lines and geometric shapes can help to create a refreshing and modern interior,while at the same time, careful consideration should be given to the choice of colours if a balanced and unified composition is desired.
Conclusion
De Stijl architecture has been an influential style of modern architecture throughout the 20th century,with several notable buildings being built in this style.The style utilizes the simplest forms and primary colours to create beautiful and functional designs,while the interior design emphasizes simplicity,with the use of basic shapes,straight edges and contrasting colours.The combination of clean lines and vibrant colours is what makes De Stijl such an iconic style.
Design Principles
The De Stijl style of design is based on several core principles. Firstly, this style of design is centred around simplicity and functionality, meaning that the designs are minimalist and straightforward.The use of rectilinear forms and geometric shapes create a sense of harmony,while vivid and contrasting colours can help to create a unique and eye-catching composition.In addition, use of negative space and flat surfaces is also key to creating an effective De Stijl design.
Modern Day Influence
The influence of De Stijl architecture can still be seen in modern art and design. The modern art movement of minimalism is heavily inspired by this style of design,with emphasis being placed on simplicity,functionality and balance.The use of colours, tactile surfaces, geometric forms and a lack of ornamentation are all features commonly seen in modern minimalist works.In addition, many contemporary architects continue to use the architectural principles of De Stijl to create unique,functional and visually appealing structures.
Relationship to Other Design Movements
De Stijl has had a lasting impact on the world of art and design,and the style is closely linked to many other movements.The modern art movement of Constructivism is inspired by the use of geometric shapes,non-traditional materials,and vivid colours.Additionally, De Stijl inspired the Bauhaus movement which focused on avoiding decorative elements and instead, placing emphasis on form and function.Lastly, the International Style, which is closely associated with modernism, borrows heavily from the clean lines and structural integrity found within the works of De Stijl.
Works of Artists
Several important works of art have been created by artists associated with the De Stijl movement.Theo van Doesburg’s ‘Composition with Typography and Blue Arc’ is an excellent example of the use of geometric compositional shapes,while Piet Mondrian’s ‘Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow’ displays the artists’ use of bold primary colours to create a balanced composition.In addition, Bart van der Leck’s ‘Composition with Red, Blue, and Grey’ is noted for its use of negative space to achieve visual harmony.Each of these works perfectly communicates the tenets of the De Stijl movement.
