Public Works and the Amsterdam School: An Exhibition on Urban Design and Architecture

This exhibition explores the significant contributions of Amsterdam's Public Works Department and the architects associated with the Amsterdam School movement. It showcases beautiful designs for buildings, interiors, sculptural work, bridges, and street furniture commissioned by the municipality between 1915 and 1935.

The exhibition delves into the critical role of the Public Works Department, a municipal service active from 1856 to 1980, in shaping the appearance of Amsterdam, particularly during its period of industrial expansion. From 1910 onwards, the department began commissioning architects to infuse aesthetic considerations into urban development, leading to the creation of new neighborhoods, bridges, and street furniture. Many of these architects, including notable figures like Michel de Klerk, Piet Kramer, and Joan van der Meij, became prominent within the Amsterdam School movement between 1915 and 1935. The exhibition highlights their exceptional designs for public buildings, featuring remarkable interiors and sculptural elements, as well as their contributions to the design of bridges and street furniture, many of which can still be admired throughout the city today. Visitors can expect to see stunning images of this architectural style, alongside original artworks and drawings by these important Public Works architects.