Helios

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 SHOP (art dealership) with STUDIO APARTMENT above, built in 1895-1897. Built at the commission of M. Büttinghausen, who established his 'photographic studio' on the two upper storeys. His name appears in mosaic on the frieze above the ground floor. The whole is known as 'Gebouw Helios' and was built in the art nouveau style after a design by architect G. van Arkel. The design was submitted in 1900 to the architecture competition of the world exhibition in Paris, where it won a bronze medal. The reliefs were executed by the artists Van den Bossche and Crevels. The building has been renovated several times. The front facade of the building faces the Spui; the side facade faces the Voetboogsteeg. As early as 1899, a narrow facade section was added to the right side of the windows of the staircase on the Voetboogsteeg. The side facade was thereby widened. In 1903 the courtyard was covered and in 1909 Van Arkel renovated the interior as a lunchroom 'Maison Ledeboer', which would close its doors in 1969 as 'Formosa'.

Description

A building erected on a composite rectangular ground plan. In total, five storeys above ground level can be distinguished: ground floor, three storeys and a slightly recessed top storey. On the right side a very narrow and lower storey. This narrow section is terminated by a gabled roof covered with red tiles with half-hipped front. On this narrow roof two small roof dormers. The large building volume on the left is covered by an inclined hipped roof with tiles behind which is a flat roof. On the east side a chimney. The facades are rendered white. Ground floor conceived as a plinth zone, using grey natural stone. Natural stone also used for sills, corbels and ornamental details.

The front facade on the Spui side shows on the ground floor the natural stone facade section on a dark-coloured and high basement. Various mouldings and accents. Centrally a wide opening with lintel on consoles. On either side a narrow slightly arched entrance section. Around these entrances a bas-relief depicting women reaching towards a fruit tree. Between two mouldings enclosed natural stone frieze with floral ornaments on the corners. On the frieze in mosaic geometric and floral decoration and text: 'M. Büttinghausen Fotografie Artistique'. At the level of the first storey four windows with arched head, sash window and particularly multi-railed glazed fanlight. Accents in stained glass. On the right side the overhang of the segmental natural stone basement of the oriel. Basement with floral decoration in relief. Natural stone sills and moulding work. At the level of the second storey on the left side windows as described. At the top of the wall sections between the windows are capitels decorated with floral motifs. Further decorative application of the stained glass window infill. On the right side the segmental oriel over the second and third storeys. Three-part window section on both storeys with curved panes, fanlights with multi-railed glazing bars and on the second storey stained glass window infill. Natural stone sills and mullions. At the level of the third storey on the left side three T-windows. The wall sections between those windows rest on the capitels beneath and make a slight projection. On the right the oriel window above which a segmental balcony with balustrade of natural stone rail and mullions and wrought-iron railwork. A double opening door with fanlight provides access on the fourth storey to this balcony. Iron hoisting installation. Above this spandrel with decorative infill and window of the top storey. Natural stone sill, corner stones, acroterion and corbel. On the west corner of this truncated gable top a multi-sided structure with iron crest. On the left side above the windows of the third storey is a natural stone termination with three peaks with spandrel with floral decoration in relief, diamond-shaped crest and arched spandrel with respectively from left to right: 'Gebouw', depiction of sunflowers, 'Helios'. Between these natural stone corbels. Far left a natural stone multi-sided structure. Behind this natural stone termination or parapet is a flat surface behind which the recessed section of the fourth storey. Here a continuous row of door and window openings and multi-railed glazed fanlights. Simple cornice.

The side facade on the Voetboogsteeg shows on the left a continuation of the natural stone facade section on a dark-coloured and high basement. In this two high openings with railed fanlights and with lintel and consoles as in the front facade. Frieze with geometric ornamentation in mosaic. Various windows in the facade section above. On the left side windows with on two storeys arched head and multi-railed glazed fanlight. Other windows narrower. Window of the top storey less high. In series of three per storey ascending lancet windows for the lighting of the staircase. On the ground floor below this a mosaic with depiction of fruit tree, geometric ornamentation and text: Zum Barbarossa. Right facade section with arched entrance and further opening. Above this on the storeys high windows.

Valuation

Former shop (art dealership) and studio apartment (photographic studio) of general importance due to its architectural historical value. Particular importance of the object for the history of architecture, for the oeuvre of the architect, due to the exceptional ornamental work, due to the high-quality aesthetic qualities of the design and due to the originally particular coherence between exterior and interior. Furthermore of importance due to its typological value, also through the photographic studio. The exterior has retained its original character despite many works.