Hendrik Petrus Berlage is one of the most important renovators of Netherlands' architecture at the end of the 19th century. He is born in Amsterdam in 1856. After failing artschool he studies architecture at the Zürich Institute of Technology under Gottfried Semper from 1875 until 1878, after which he travels extensively through Europe. Back in Amsterdam in 1882 he starts working at the office of Theodorus Sanders. Together they design several buildings in neo-Renaissance style, including a first design for the Amsterdam commodities exchange. In 1884 they form a partnership. From 1889 Berlage is working on his own, and designs in the then fashionable style of Jugendstil. In that year he presents himself at the World Exhibition in Paris with the design for a mausoleum, a plea for eternal peace. A first hint at Berlage's utopian socialistic ideas. In a wave of political naivity he later even makes a design for a mausoleum for Soviet dictator Lenin. A more important consequence of his socialism is the idea of Community Art (Gemeenschapskunst); artists of various disciplines working together on art that serves the community. Several of Berlage's important designs were made in this spirit.
Berlage is best known for his final design for the Amsterdam commodities exchange. The style in which this building is built becomes known as Rationalism. Important elements of this style are the honest use of materials (all used materials should be recognizable), clarity of construction (no unnecessary ornamentation) and craftmanship in the execution. Brick is the preferred material of use, although natural stone is used for parts that need accentuating. Walls are usually completely flat, with the sparse decorative elements flush with the walls. This building is considered to be the beginning of modern architecture in the Netherlands, and although representing only a phase in Berlage's career, it remains a major influences until well into the 1950's. Several protestant architects, like Tj. Kuipers, design churches in a style close to Berlage's style. The traditionalistic architects of the Delft School, especially A.J. Kropholler, continue this style long after Berlage has abandoned it, and develop it even further using Berlage's ideas. On the other hand the Amsterdam School in its first years is partially a reaction to Berlage's assumed conservatism, with an expressionistic style that definitely breaks the rules of honest use of materials and clarity of construction.
A visit to the U.S.A. in 1911 has a great impact on Berlage's work. The work of Henry Hobson Richardson, Louis H. Sullivan, and especially Frank Lloyd Wright become important influences until the end of his career.
Later in his career Berlage becomes more active in town planning. His plan for the enlargement of Amsterdam-South (1914-1915) is the most important project. Berlage also designed furniture, and even wrote several plays. Berlage died in Den Haag (The Hague) in 1934, to where he had moved his office in 1913.

The following is a small selection from Berlage's work.

1894 Groningen (Gr): Heymans house         House and laboratory for Gerardus Heymans, doctor of filosophy and psychology.

1895 Amsterdam (NH): office-building         Office building for the insurance company 'De Nederlanden van 1845' in Jugendstil-style.

1895 Den Haag (ZH): office-building       Another office building for the insurance company 'De Nederlanden van 1845'. The original design sported many Jugendstil influences with several balconies and an open gallery on the top floor, which were all removed by reconstructions in 1902 and 1907 resulting in the current more rationalistic appearance of the building.

1898 Den Haag (ZH): Villa Henny     Villa for Carel Henny, director of insurance company 'De Nederlanden van 1845'.

1898-1903 Amsterdam (NH): commodities exchange       Berlage's most famous work is the result of a long process. Already in 1883 Berlage and Sanders enter a design in an international contest, in which it reaches the fourth position. Although the finale is held in 1885 it takes until 1897 before Berlage is finally commissioned. The finished building is one of the most influential in Dutch architectural history, and the absolute highlight of the style of Rationalism.

1899-1890 Amsterdam (NH): Diamond Workers Union building A building which is often compared with a fortress, with its sober brick walls, tower and battlement-like ornaments at the roof.

1913 Den Haag (ZH): house         In 1911 Berlage travels through the USA and becomes acquainted with the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Influences of Wright's work are present in the design of this house in the form of the projecting roofs.

1914 Den Haag (ZH): Shop and office-building Meddens & Zn.       Design influenced by the work of Louis Sullivan.

1915-1920 Otterlo (G): hunting lodge St. Hubertus Hunting lodge for A.G. Kröller. Building with complex groundplan in the shape of a deer's antlers and a tall tower.

1925 Den Haag (ZH): kiosk       Concrete kiosk for selling flowers.

1925-1926 Den Haag (ZH): Christian Science church       Berlage's only religious building is this church for the First Church of Christ, Scientist.

1926 Den Haag (ZH): office-building     Another building for insurance company 'De Nederlanden van 1845'. Originally two storeys high. A third story was added later by architect W.M. Dudok in 1954, according to Berlage's plans.

1927-1935 Den Haag (ZH): Municipal Museum     Museum in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright. Picture courtesy of the maker of the Pages about The Hague (external link, opens in new window).