Adrianushuis

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

The CONVENT together with CARE HOME FOR THE ELDERLY and PRIMARY SCHOOL for girls, known as the "Adrianushuis", is situated in the centre of Raamsdonk, on an oval-shaped square. It was built on commission of the congregation of the Sisters of Charity from Schijndel. The building displays stylistic elements of eclecticism and neorenaissance. In 1936-37 it was extended with a new wing for a KINDERGARTEN in traditionalist style. Since 1973 the convent has been in use as a meeting centre. The building has since undergone a number of alterations. The most significant change concerns the demolition of the northern wing, in which service rooms (including a laundry) were housed. On the former courtyard, modern single-storey extensions with flat roofs have been added against the south wing and west wing. Moreover, the internal layout has been substantially altered.

Description

The partly cellared building has a roughly U-shaped ground plan. On the south side two-storey wings under hipped roof, covered with slate. The western wing is partly single-storey under mansard roof, partly two-storey under flat roof. The eastern wing has one storey under gabled roof. Covering with Spanish tiles. On the north-eastern corner a later single-storey extension for the kindergarten, also under gabled roof. The roof above the south wing is covered with mastic (originally slate), the other roofs with Spanish tiles. Moulded gutters on corbels. The facades are built up in brick, with natural stone elements, such as drip mouldings, corbels, etc. Speckled courses in facing brick. Below the cornice of the south wing an arch frieze, in the west and east wings a dentil moulding.

The southern facade of the south wing is symmetrical and has seven bays. Central risalit terminated by a higher raised stepped gable. Herein the main entrance of the convent, consisting of a double panelled door in a shallow round-arched portal. Fanlight in the form of a three-light window, with stained glass. Above this a four-pane window with stained glass frame under relieving arch with polychrome mosaic in a wall niche, terminated by dentil moulding. In the stepped gable three round-arched niches. In the middle one thereof an image of Saint Adrianus. The remaining rooms are provided with cross windows under relieving arches with polychrome mosaic in the arch fields. In the windows to the left of the central risalit, at the height of the chapel on the first floor, stained glass frames.

The rear facade of the south wing also has a central risalit terminated by a stepped gable at the location of the stairwell. Herein three-light windows under relieving arch, provided with stained glass. On the ground floor the central risalit is concealed behind a more recent single-storey extension under flat roof. The remaining rooms in the rear facade have cross windows under relieving arches.

The western facade of the west wing has to the right of centre a risalit, in which the side entrance. This is terminated by a wider, higher raised stepped gable, in which three window recesses. In the middle one thereof a three-light window with stained glass. To the right thereof a T-window. The western wing is provided with cross windows under relieving arch with polychrome decorative brickwork. To the left of the risalit, at the height of the first floor right-angled windows with sash windows. The new northern gable end is without windows. The eastern rear facade of the west wing is largely concealed at ground floor level behind a recent extension under flat roof. On either side thereof T-windows. On the first floor wall niches, provided at the top with a dentil moulding. Therein band windows with four-pane frames. Entirely on the left, against the south wing a projection with small windows.

The eastern facade -which served as a school building- is provided with tall ten-pane cross windows under segmental arch with polychrome decorative brickwork. Two higher raised risalits, terminated by stepped gables. Herein entrance arrangements, consisting of a double panelled door with six-pane fanlight. Above this three light windows with stained glass, under round-arched niches. Against the rear facade a single-storey extension under flat roof. Herein to the right a broad composite window with six-pane frames and fanlight with small glazing bars. Two doors with six-pane frame. To the left thereof a rear entrance with brick steps and four-pane side lights. Two small windows at the location of toilets. Entirely on the left a broad six-pane window. Above the extension six three-pane windows with steel frames.

The extension for the kindergarten has an entrance in the southern gable end. Arched door opening with panelled door, provided with a low ashlar step. Above this a round fanlight with stained glass. At the top an image with natural stone console. The entrance is flanked by two right-angled cross windows with small glazing bars, above which a relieving arch. In the eastern facade of the kindergarten three broad window arrangements with a double row of fanlights and small glazing bars. Entirely on the left an arched door opening with double panelled door.

Against the rear facade on the left a single-storey extension under flat roof. In this extension and in the rear facade to the right thereof a long band window with small glazing bars.

Internally, the layout of the building has been substantially altered. Of the original arrangement of the convent only the hall, (part of) the corridor in the south wing, the stairwell and the chapel on the first floor of the south wing remain recognisable. In these rooms a number of original elements are still found. Of these are of particular importance: in the hall natural stone tiles, draughty doors with round-arched stained glass fanlight, memorial stone with text: "PRIM.LAP.POS./ A. FRENKEN - PASTOR/ ANNO DOM. 1900". In the corridor natural stone tiles, draughty doors to stairwell with a round-arched stained glass fanlight. In the stairwell the original wooden staircase with balusters and stained glass frames. In the chapel wooden wall panelling and stained glass frames.

At the front of the property a terrace, surrounded by a wrought iron ornamental fence on a low brick wall.

Valuation

The convent together with care home for the elderly and school "Het Adrianushuis" is of general importance. The object possesses cultural-historical value as a remarkable expression of a spiritual development: it illustrates the role that Catholic congregations played in both education and elderly care at the beginning of this century. Furthermore, the building, a combination of convent, schools and care home for the elderly, provides a good illustration of a typological development. The convent possesses architectural-historical value on account of the eclectic/neorenaissance style and on account of the remarkable detailing. The convent possesses ensemble value on account of its special location on a square that, alongside the R.C. church, is dominated by buildings of Catholic institutions. Furthermore, the image-defining convent is of importance for the appearance of the historical centre of Raamsdonk. Finally, the object is of importance on account of typological and functional rarity.