Published on my linkedIn: In 1989 I was offered the opportunity to work a few months at Van den Broek and Bakema Architects in Rotterdam (nowadays BroekBakema) for practical experience. I studied Art History at the time and specializing in architecture. The office had a long tradition in utilitarian architecture (bold and industrial works), housing and projects and a large archive had to be disclosed. Michiel Brinkman was the first architect in a long row of names to follow - among which Bakema - and the project was defined. I dived in the archive of Michiel Brinkman with hundreds of drawings and was unstoppable to make the best from this challenge. At the time I was also invited by office members to visit the inspiring Van Nelle factory (built 1926) which was under renovation. I was impressed: this was more than a building. It envisaged for me what would be Platos The good, The true and The beautiful. Michiel made the very first and preliminary location drawing (triangle) for the Van Nelle in the early twenties. He died soon after, leaving the design for his successors among which his father J.A. Brinkman and Van der Vlugt. I delivered the extract of my Michiel Brinkman research in 1990. The disclosed archive of Michiel Brinkman would largely consist of drawings among which the world famous Justus van Effen block, lately renovated by Joris Molenaar. archrecord.construction/news/2014/01/140116-Glory-of-Spangen-Social-Housing-Complex-Restored.asp A few years later in 1995 the Nederlands Architectuur Instituut (NAi, nowadays Het Nieuwe Instituut) invited me to be co-editor in a publication about Michiel Brinkman. This would be the first in a row of the now very succesful BONAS project. The book was launched with a simultaneous exhibition to start the BONAS project. This was the best that could happen as it is no secret that most students research papers end up on book shelves not even seeing daylight after delivery. Then 21 June 2014 the Van Nelle Factory was selected by UNESCO and listed World Cultural Heritage. unesco.nl/artikel/van-nelle-factory-rotterdam-world-heritage In 89 I felt that I made the right decision. In 95 I was sure. In 2014 the circle was closed.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 18:11:50 +0000
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