Laboratorium, Plantage Muidergracht 6 A

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

A LABORATORY established in 1880 by the University of Amsterdam, which also commissioned its construction. Built as a Physics Laboratory. Standing virtually isolated on the former timber embankments of the Plantage Muidergracht. The contractor W.L. Leibbrandt was involved in the construction. Built in a classicist style related to a neo-renaissance inspired by Italian examples. The rear facade facing the water of the Plantage Muidergracht features a broad central projection, in which the large lecture hall is situated.

NB. In 1902 a major renovation and extension took place. Wings of one storey were added both on the NW side and the NE side against the existing buildings. The short gable on the NW side now adjoins the neighbouring new construction.

Description

A laboratory created on a complex rectangular ground plan, consisting of a basement, a low ground floor, a piano nobile and a complex hipped roof. On the rear side the building faces the water, only the middle section of the facade actually rises from the water, the remainder set back. In front of this a quay with quay walls and a fence. The front and rear facades are nine bays wide with a strong architectural emphasis on the middle three. Both side facades are each five bays wide, with a more modest architectural emphasis on the middle section. The ground floor here is obscured from view due to the later single-storey additions. The central building mass shows on the street side a central section with four storeys: a basement, a ground floor and two further storeys. On the left and right sides a wing with likewise four storeys: a basement, a ground floor, a storey and an attic storey. Strongly vertically and horizontally articulated facades. Facades built up from brickwork and stucco. The whole is covered by a complex roof. The higher raised central section of the original building is covered by a hipped roof with a concealed roof structure behind the central pediment. With the exception of this concealed roof, the roof is covered with flat blue tiles. Zinc-covered hip rafters. Simply profiled chimney. Large roof light on the SE slope. Behind this hipped roof is the truncated hipped roof of the extension of the large lecture hall. Large roof light in the SW slope. The original wings on the left and right sides are covered by a truncated hipped roof. Likewise zinc-covered hip rafters. Various roof dormers on the slopes. The truncated hipped roofs have a balustrade on the three exposed sides. Balustrade runs at the Plantage Muidergracht across the entire facade. Lightly profiled rectangular posts and natural and/or ashlar balusters with coping. On the corner posts a richly ornamented ornamental vase with garlands and buds. These roofs are all covered with flat blue tiles. On the truncated section tall chimney with profile band, smoke openings and coping plate. Both on the SE side and on the NW side a large roof dormer. These dormers interrupt the balustrade and form a clear crown or continuation of the central section of the slightly projecting side facades. Plinth with profile and coping plate. A volute is placed on this. Articulated window with casement. Segmental fanlight above the calf. Brickwork pilasters with plastered capitals on which half-round profiled frame with keystone. On either side of this fluted corner pilasters with capitals on which simple entablature, cornice with pediment. Side facades of the dormers are plastered. Facade on the street side has the tall central volume and the lower remaining facade sections. Facades built on an ashlar plinth with lightly arched and simply articulated window openings. Entrance arrangement in the middle of the central facade section. Oak double panel door with articulated and arched fanlight above the calf. On either side a fluted column with polished lower drum and basement. Capitals support frieze on which: Natuurkundig Laboratorium. Pediment with profile moulding and recessed tympanum. Further shields and palmette. Above the plinth running around the building a likewise continuous narrow band of brickwork with projecting moulding. Above this a continuous facade section with brickwork in block imitation. Around windows with six-pane articulated sash windows and three-pane articulated fanlight. Fourteen such windows on the street side, ten on the water side. On the facade facing the Plantage Muidergracht simple entrances are located to either side of the central projection. Pediment at the upper dormer. Simple entrance platform with wooden railing. On the left side a wooden conservatory-like extension. Around a natural stone frieze with profiled cordon moulding. Above this a continuous plinth zone with brick surfaces and polished plinths for the basements of pilasters. This zone passes at the wings into the balustrade. On the street side on either side of the window coupled pilasters of the composite order with basement, polished shaft and Corinthian capital. Windows with nine-pane articulated sash windows and three-pane articulated and arched fanlight. On the street side nine such windows, on the side facades five and on the water side two on the left and two on the right. Profiled Serliana is interrupted by figurative head or further ornament. Furthermore simple bandwork. Likewise corner pilasters on the corners of the projecting sections. On the right side of the projection on the water side an accentuated window with pilasters and above the continuous band of the Serliana an additional round window in natural stone frame with floral ornaments. Facade sections terminated with entablature, frieze and projecting cornice. Above this the previously mentioned balustrade.

On the street side the central section shows the facade composition of the highest storey: actually a repetition of the central section of the storey below it. Facade termination with entablature, frieze and cornice. The cornice too, like the entire central facade, has a slight projection. Cornice and pediment with dentil moulding. Decorated filling of the tympanum with among others a coat of arms.

Valuation

Former physics laboratory of the University of Amsterdam of general importance due to its architectural and scientific-historical value. Building of significance as a particular expression of a typological development. Of situational importance as part of a complex of university buildings along the Plantage Muidergracht.