Gerrit Rietveld
Let’s start with the man behind the vision Gerrit Rietveld, the Dutch maestro of furniture design and architecture. Back in 1917, he opened his very own furniture workshop. Now, here’s what’s so interesting, Rietveld was a self-taught man in drawing, painting, and model-making. I’ve always had immense admiration for autodidact individuals; there’s something truly remarkable about those who forge their own paths. And guess what? He didn’t stop there. He afterwards set up his business as a cabinet-maker. Who needs fancy degrees and business school when you’ve got passion and skill, right? Now, let’s fast forward to the highlight of that year: Rietveld unveiled his masterpiece, the renowned “Red and Blue Chair,” now a true icon in the history of modern furniture. Quite the pioneer, wasn’t he?
De Stijl: when art became geometry
In 1919, Rietveld added another feather to his cap by stepping into the world of architecture. He also joined the ranks of the “De Stijl” movement, a.k.a. Neoplasticism, which was essentially a creative powerhouse of artists and architects. Several significant members were Gerrit Rietveld and Piet Mondriaan. Now, if we narrow things down a bit, “De Stijl” refers to a body of work spanning from 1917 to 1931 that originated in the Netherlands. It was also the name of the journal where ideas from this creative group were published. Supporters of De Stijl were all about stripping things down to the essentials of form and color, keeping simplified visual compositions with vertical and horizontal lines, and sticking to a palette of black, white, and primary colors. It was like the minimalism of its time, way before minimalism was cool.
Dutch socialite meets modern Rietveld
Enter Truus Schröder-Schräder, a Dutch socialite who wasn’t interested in playing by the rules. Married to a lawyer and mother of three, she spent her early adult life in a traditional Utrecht apartment. But when her husband died in 1923, she decided she was done living by anyone else’s blueprint.
She wanted a home that reflected her, independent, modern, unconventional. Inspired by her friendships within the De Stijl circle, she reached out to Rietveld and said: “Let’s build something different.” She wasn’t trained in architecture or design, but she had a sharp vision and knew how she wanted to live. Together, they built a statement.
A futuristic oddity in 1924
The collaboration between Mrs. Truus Schröder and Mr. Gerrit Rietveld resulted in a stunning building that was way ahead of its time. This architectural gem was build in 1924 in Utrecht, The Netherlands.
To give some perspective, this was a time when most Dutch streets were still made of cobblestones, radios were the new luxury, and fewer than 1 in 5 people had a car. Queen Wilhelmina reigned, and society still prized order, modesty, and conformity.
Now that you can situate yourself in time, imagine this house, flat roof, sharp lines, sliding walls, bold blocks of red, yellow, and blue—sitting there among the gabled rooftops. Of course people thought Truus was completely mad. And yet, she didn’t flinch. This home was her personal rebellion. And Gerrit Rietveld was her co-conspirator.
The house that lived and breathed change
The house stood as a bold statement on how an independent, modern woman could craft her own narrative. Truus, a strong-willed person with daring ideas, delighted in provoking her more conventional contemporaries. Her vision for the house was one of liberation from societal expectations, creating a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors. What makes the house truly exceptional is its adaptable spatial layout, allowing gradual adjustments to accommodate evolving functions over time. Beyond its functional brilliance, the building holds significant artistic value, shaping the visual landscape of architectural design in the latter half of the 20th century. It’s essential to acknowledge the integral role played by the interiors and furniture in the overall design, worthy of rightful recognition.
In the beginning, it was just her and her three children in the house. Eventually, Gerrit Rietveld joined her, and they created a unique lifestyle together. She cherished her life at the Rietveld Schröder House, calling it home for over 60 years until she passed away in 1985.
Where to see
Now managed by the Centraal Museum, the Rietveld Schröder House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most celebrated works of De Stijl architecture. It became a listed monument in 1976 and has since been preserved as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into a lifestyle that challenged every norm of its time.
If you’re ever in the Netherlands, especially if you’re drawn to architecture, design, or stories of people bold enough to live differently, go see it. Stand in that living room, slide one of those walls, and imagine the courage it took to live in a house like that in the 1920s. You’ll leave inspired, I promise.