Dennenoord

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Completed in 1935 after a design by Groningen architect Egbert Reitsma (1892-1976) an independent, more 'open' extension of the 'closed' psychiatric institution on reformed grounds 'Dennenoord' delivered in 1895 located on the opposite side of the road. Alongside it is the residence of the physician-director, also designed by E. Reitsma and completed in 1935. Both buildings are erected in a cubist-expressionistic formal language. The stained glass window in the stairwell is a 1935 design by Groningen artist Jan Wykmans. It was made at the N.E.G. (Noordnederlandsche Electrische Glasslijperij in Groningen).

-The park-like garden layout was realized around 1935 after a 1934 design by Glimmen garden architect Jan Vroom (1893-1985). The Noordersanatorium provided accommodation for 'quiet' and 'restless' patients, but is now no longer in use as such.

-The main building is prominently and generously set back from the road Vries-Zuidlaren. It comprises a tapering tower-like central section, from which four not entirely identical bent flat-roofed wings radiate outward. Between these wings are two sunken and two enclosed courtyards. On the front side are two walled gardens. The central section with tower is block-shaped articulated, has a flat roof with skylights, round and recessed steel doors and windows and is crowned by a flagpole with climbing irons; it comprises four storeys on basement and housed among other things vestibule, hall with void and stairwell, room of the physician-director, porter's lodge and administrator's space, waiting, consultation and examination room and staff areas. The front wings give way to a garden wall with screens of reinforced glass, have two storeys and are each provided with an open-air rest hall; the rear wings each have one storey and end in a small covered terrace. The building is constructed from soft yellow stone in stretcher bond on a lime-mortar bed of partly sintered bright red brick. The facade walls are regularly articulated by blue-painted galvanized steel windows with among other things twenty-four-, sixteen- and eight-pane divisions, concrete lintels and awnings. The recessed entrance section with steel doors is emphasized by a doorstep, flower boxes, a concrete overhang above which are balconies and has ultramarine blue tiled pilasters between the windows. The building owes its nickname 'the Blue Pavilion' to the latter. Directly behind the building is the block-shaped boiler house, which is undercellared and is executed in a form matching the main building. Internally among other things the black and white veined marble cladding in the hall is of importance, the stained glass windows executed in pastel tones with Biblical scenes (Luke 11:24 and Acts 5:16) in the stairwell after a design by Jan Wykmans from 1935 and the light courts in the side wings.

-Furthermore the various formal-looking courtyards surrounded by hedges and screens around the building are of importance (circa 1935), with sunken lawn, partly sintered bright red brick mortared steps and flower boxes, a sundial (armillary sphere) on brick base, a pond and a garden path irregularly bordered by trees and copses. The site is marked on the street side by a cube constructed from partly sintered bright red brick with the inscription Noorder Sanatorium and some associated masonry. For the rest the site, entirely in the spirit of an 'open institution', is enclosed by low hedges and shrubs.

-The associated residence of the physician-director from 1935 is also constructed from soft yellow brick in stretcher bond on a lime-mortar bed of partly sintered bright red brick. The building is composed of block-shaped volumes that are offset in relation to each other, has several balconies and is flat-roofed. The wall surfaces are regularly articulated by tight window and door sections; to the side a garage is attached.

Sanatorium building with stained glass windows from 1935 and other valuable interior components, associated director's residence from 1935 and park-like garden layout from circa 1935, of general architectural and cultural-historical importance:

-as a balanced and for the north of the country unique exponent of cubist-expressionism;

-due to the place the complex occupies as a stylistic marker within the oeuvre of Egbert Reitsma;

-due to the original function of a more 'open' psychiatric institution - which is expressed in design and execution - and its significance for the recent history of psychiatric health care in the Netherlands;

-due to the integrity and completeness of complex and garden layout;

-due to the striking location.