Discover the Zonnestraal, Ship on the heath Exhibition: Modernist Architecture and Social Progress

This exhibition explores the Zonnestraal sanatorium, a unique example of modernist architecture located on the Hilversum heath. It highlights the building's symbolism of hope, its contrast with the natural surroundings, and its origins in the labor movement's pursuit of better worker conditions.

The exhibition 'Zonnestraal, Ship on the heath' delves into the history and architectural significance of the former Zonnestraal sanatorium, situated on the Hilversum heath. This modernist complex, characterized by its white concrete, blue steel, and extensive use of glass, symbolizes a vision of a brighter future and stands in striking contrast to its verdant surroundings, earning it the nickname 'Ship on the heath'. The narrative draws parallels between Zonnestraal (1928) and Museum Het Schip's 'Het Schip' (1919), both born from a profound belief in progress and private social involvement driven by the labor movement. While Het Schip embodied the Amsterdam School's focus on privacy and the worker's home, Zonnestraal represented the Modern Movement's ideals, aiming to integrate the healing qualities of nature by bringing the outdoors in. The exhibition presents this history through a rich display of photographs, posters, sculptures, and scale models, illustrating the union's mission to combat poor working conditions and the pervasive tuberculosis epidemic.