v.m. Jurgens Margarinefabriek

English translation

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Description

Introduction

Former OFFICE BUILDING, erected in 1912 on commission of N.V. Ant. Jurgens Margarinefabrieken to a design by Amsterdam architect Charles Estourgie (1884-1950) in forms related to art nouveau and art déco. After the closure of the margarine factories the building came into the hands of Philips, which established a Free Academy building there. In 1979 the building was transferred to the municipality of Oss, which rented it out for various purposes. In 1997 a renovation followed during which the building was also made suitable for performances.

Description

A very large and elongated building on a roughly rectangular ground plan and consisting of various building volumes under flat and shed roofs. A high central space surrounded by lower side spaces. All spaces occupy only one storey although they differ in height from one another. Projecting entrance section with light shaft and framed entrance section with hinged-panel door. Gutter on worked wooden brackets. Architrave with brick decoration. The front facade is symmetrically laid out. The spaces flanking the entrance section have windows with depressed arches and keystones. The side wings around the large central space are all very low and have small, straight-closed windows. On the rear side the windows are larger in area. Internally the layout is still original. In the hall after the entrance is a large tile tableau in art nouveau forms depicting the glorification of the intercontinental export of the margarine factory. Below the initials AJ (Antoon Jurgens) are depicted the female personifications of the continents Europe, Asia and Africa. Below these personifications a cow, an elephant and a sphinx. The tableau is signed with the initials D.H. under the left foreleg of the elephant. The most striking aspect of the interior is the very large and high central hall which served as office space for the administrative staff. This hall was originally covered with a structure of four transversely positioned gabled roofs with tiles and glass in the middle. Externally each end gable was crowned with a brick wall ending in a separate round arch. Recesses with round windows in them provided additional light entry. In the brickwork the bricked-up round windows are still visible. The central hall has three glass panels in the ceiling which are again covered with glazed sheds providing a separate light fall. Internally the built-in safe, located on the west side in front of the central hall, is also noteworthy. The building has undergone considerable external changes over the years. During the war the entire building was given flat roofs. It remains unclear whether this happened as a result of damage sustained. The residential house of Henri Jurgens, also known as Huize Kio, located on the east side was also demolished. Of the exotic garden that was situated on the rear side of it, little remains. The whole is now laid out as a park.

Valuation

The former office building, as the sole remaining component of the former margarine factory of Anton Jurgens, is of general cultural-historical and socio-economic importance. Furthermore, the building has cultural-historical value as a remarkable and early expression of the typological development of the office building. As an early example and remarkable building type the office building has architectural-historical significance because of its place in the work of the nationally important architect Charles Estourgie. As an early example of this building type the office building is very rare. Despite the alteration of the roofing during the Second World War it has been preserved in reasonably good condition.