Woonhuis, Westersingel 10

English translation

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Description

Introduction

DOUBLE VILLA, designed in 1932 by G.A. Heldoorn on commission from Gerrit Regneri in Interwar Architecture. In the design submitted for permission in 1932 (G.A.L. building drawing 5829), various modifications were made in due course. Thus dwelling number 10 on the northwest side received a conservatory (not indicated on the design) under the somewhat raised reed roof, and at number 12 the bay window on the southeast side (indicated differently on the building drawing) was incorporated into an extension with overhanging gable top and an additional roof structure.

In 1872, a second city water pond was laid out to the west of the inner city to a design by G.L. Vlaskamp, which functioned as such until 1888, thereafter functioned as a promenade, and which in 1926 was converted into a walking park, the Westerpark. Slightly further south, at the northern corner of the present Fonteinstraat, the bread factory De Hoop was established in 1865. The area at the Westersingel underwent a major spatial intervention in 1900 with the construction of the tramway to Marssum. The route ran northward between the freshwater pond and bread factory to obtain branch lines at the present Pier Panderstraat. After both the bread factory and the trams were decommissioned at the end of the twenties, the area on the southeastern edge of the Westerpark was parceled out and built with residential houses. At the Westersingel, several villas in Interwar style now appear to have been placed in the park, and at the Fonteinstraat a series of linked townhouses. The double villa Westersingel 10-12 is thereby extraordinarily situated.

Description

EXTERIOR: Double villa on an L-shaped floor plan, whose legs do not stand at right angles to each other. The long wing of dwelling number 12 lies parallel to the building line; number 10 transverse and at an angle to it. The grouping of the two dwellings is such that they have completely different outlooks and no mutual overlooking, with even the rear gardens lying at right angles to each other. Dwelling number 10 is enlarged on the northwest side with a kitchen replacing the small kitchen that originally lay in the middle of the building volume. The entrance sections near the corner, the axil, where the building volumes hinge, are indeed oriented towards each other. The double villa is largely two storeys high, but in some places the reed-thatched roof extends through in places that are only one storey high. Dynamic recessed and extended sections. The walls are laid in Flemish bond of a bright red, mottled and here and there sintered brick, executed with recessed mortar joints. The front facade of number 10 is opened below with a very wide window with side lights, executed in steel, and a small window, and on the upper storey under the substantial roof overhang with a five-part window band. In the axil of the two dwellings the entrance section with straight-closed original door under the large roof overhang. The side facades are opened at the front with windows of various shapes and with steel frames. From the northern facade a conservatory is built under a slope of the roof, and on the north and east sides flower boxes are laid up under the windows. On the northern side wall a cabin which on the east side is opened out to an enclosed balcony. The eastern roof wall also has a cabin in the axil for the lighting of the stairwell.

The front facade of number 12 is fairly closed on the ground floor, except for a toilet and a half-window; both with coloured geometric leaded light. Between these small windows the fully enclosed door section, enclosed by a laid semicircular arch of two stones. On the south side, the bay window section, consisting of large windows set in frames, is extended as a risalit with gable top and additional roof structure; in the gable top a small standing window. On the upper storey a series of six tall windows with simple leaded light. The rear facade opened with a large, not original three-light window and a garden door; on the upper storey a wide window with side lights. All windows with wooden frames, below replaced in non-original form; on the upper storey presumably still original.

INTERIOR: The room suites on the ground floor of both dwellings have been broken through to large rooms. Furthermore, the small built-in kitchens have been drawn to the living spaces and the kitchens have been housed in the (partly extended) scullery spaces. Number 10 still has the original door between hall and room with a colourful leaded light fanlight between mouldings in geometric form. On the ground floor are vestibules and halls in original condition: with doors of panes in bars and provided with tile wainscotings and black and white tiled floors. The staircases are still original, in number 12 with original railings with slat spindles. The upper storey still has the original layout with simple fittings.

VALUATION

The double villa is of general historical, architectural historical, architectural and urban planning importance

- because of the remarkable place it occupies in the oeuvre of the renowned architect G.A. Heldoorn;

- because of the remarkable mass effect of the dwellings coupled together in an unusual manner, which through their location have acquired a country house character, and the especially externally largely intact, restrained building style in Interwar Architecture;

- because it was built in an area that in the protected townscape of the city canal zone only became available late, after the abolition of the tramline;

- because of the fine, gentle transition it forms between the green edge of the Westerpark and the buildings at the Westersingel.