Overheidsdienstgebouw, Ign. Bispincklaan 19

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

INTRODUCTION

MAIN BUILDING, principal component of the former PEN complex (Provincial Electricity Company North Holland), built in 1935 to designs by architect R.H.T. Zwiers.

DESCRIPTION

The PEN building, symmetrical in layout and construction, is erected on a rectangular ground plan, surrounding two internal courtyards. The PEN building comprises an elongated main volume with three perpendicular rear wings. The elongated main volume consists of a basement, two storeys plus a roof loft and is constructed with a concrete frame (including the roof truss structure). The main volume and three perpendicular wings have gabled roofs with wooden eaves and are covered with black glazed Dutch tiles; the eastern ends of the three wings have a hipped gable. The facades are clad in yellow brick, laid in Flemish bond above a plinth finished with lime-sand stone ashlaring. The facades are articulated by long sequences of tall windows with wooden frames and bronze windows with multiple-light glazing bars, fitted with slim bronze profiles. The basement is identifiable by a sequence of segmentally-arched bronze windows. Roof gutters, downpipes and original interior detailing are also executed in bronze. The facades contain further detailing in lime-sand stone, including the surround of the main entrance, the speckled stones in the central section, the surround of the glass doors of the stairwells on the end facades, various window surrounds and lintels, and so forth. The elongated front facade is located on the west side. An elevated central section beneath a raised gabled roof emphasizes the main entrance: on the ground floor is the projecting entrance section, characterized by a bronze glazed door with glass infill and surround in lime-sand stone, above which in bronze lettering stands "PROVINCIAAL ELECTRICITEITSBEDRIJF VAN NOORDHOLLAND". The first storey of the central section has a width of three window bays each with opening bronze doors, behind which are the directors' offices. The second storey is set back and contains four windows (behind which were the offices of senior staff members). On either side of the central section is an elongated facade with a repeating facade scheme with sequences of bronze windows: in the basement segmentally-arched, on the ground floor and first storey tall rectangular windows. Parallel to the front facade run ramps on both sides leading to the secondary entrance in the basement. Behind the central axis and behind the ends of the main volume are stairwells; the rear wings connect to these three stairwells. The rear wings have sequences of rectangular windows, also in the basement. The building frame remains intact: the concrete skeleton, the roof truss structure executed in concrete beams, the roof and floors. Of the original spatial arrangement, the following spaces are significant: the entrance with central hall, basement hall, the three stairwells in the main volume, directors' offices with specific detailing. The entrance section with central hall and main stairwell contains stairs executed in travertine; the railings, internal doors, revolving and folding doors are executed in bronze with glass panels. Upon entry one enters a draught lobby with wide flight of stairs leading to the revolving and folding doors. After these doors one enters the central hall; on the main axis is the main stairwell: flights of stairs led to the directors' offices (on the first storey) and the senior staff offices (on the second storey). In at least one of the two directors' offices the authentic oak interior remains, consisting of oak doors, parquet and wall panelling as well as the original coffered ceiling. The stairwells at the ends of the main building, also executed in travertine, remain intact. In the rear wing on the central axis remain some display cabinets executed in bronze, which were originally located in the space adjacent to the large conference room.

VALUATION

The main building is of general importance as a historic functional principal component of the former PEN complex and for its architectural-historical, cultural-historical and typological value as a representative, well-preserved and rare example of a large office building dating from the 1930s of the 20th century, erected with a concrete frame and facades in traditionalist building style showing characteristics of the Delft School. The building is furthermore important for its clear design and for the use of materials with large quantities of bronze. In addition, the building constitutes a characteristic component of the oeuvre of architect R.H.T. Zwiers.