Woonhuis, Oranje Nassaulaan 14

English translation

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Description

Introduction.

Former double townhouse with rear plot situated in the Het Zand neighbourhood. This comprises two semi-detached dwellings, constructed in 1901 by architect A.J. Hurkens. Hurkens designed in various styles. The building styles employed here incorporate elements of Neo-Renaissance. The Het Zand neighbourhood was laid out from circa 1890 in an area between the old inner city and the railway, and owes its name to the necessary raising of the terrain which had been excavated for military inundations. The dwellings were realised through private initiative and were chiefly occupied by wealthy Den Bosch residents. From the Stationsweg, the primary main axis of Het Zand, the wealth of ornamentation in the buildings decreases in northerly and southerly directions, which corresponds with the original land prices and the social status of the former owners and residents.

Notably, the interior of number 16 (now in use as offices) has been modernised. The rear façade has been largely altered.

Description.

Each brick building occupies a rectangular plan and is constructed from a basement, bel-étage, first storey and an attic storey beneath a hipped gabled roof. Front and rear roof slopes covered with slate in Maas laying. At the rear of number 14 a single-storey conservatory extension (disappeared at number 16). Front roof slope with two roof dormers beneath hipped roofs covered with block slate, at number 16 with false roof truss.

The layout of the two buildings is mirror-symmetrical in its main lines although the execution and detailing differs per dwelling. The front elevation of the double townhouse laid in Flemish bond (number 16 in a lighter brick type than number 14) comprises a total of six bays. The middle four bays project forward; the outer bays contain the entrances. The façades are enlivened by decorative bond patterns and the use of variously coloured brick for banding courses, relieving arches, dentil courses in header-stretcher pattern, and decorative bond patterns in spandrels; furthermore various types of natural stone including hardstone for the plinth, drip mouldings and decorative mouldings, banding courses, bay window consoles, window sills and lintels, reveal and closing stones, corbel stones, diamond-shaped stones, gable ornaments and as a coping layer. Façade openings beneath segmental, round and flat arches with cambered, round-arched and straight closed rebated frames with fixed, sash and hinged windows (fanlights simplified) and single (number 14) or double (number 16) glazed and barred panelled entrance doors. Basement windows fitted with twisted security bars. Various windows with yellow and green cathedral glass.

Projecting bays of number 14 partly with corner pilasters and crowned with a stepped gable with diagonal top pilaster and attic window fitted with fanlight with small glazing bars. Entrance bay with access door fitted with fanlight with small glazing bars, above it a rectangular projecting timber bay window and closed with simple gutter on arch frieze. Projecting bays of number 16 with rising pilasters on the storey beneath an overhanging profiled gutter on timber consoles. Entrance bay crowned with a roof structure beneath a sloped roof with a triangular projecting timber window with small glazing bars on the bel-étage beneath an overlying rectangular projecting bay window onto which balcony with wrought-iron balustrade.

Rear façades simpler in detailing. Bel-étage of number 14 with single-storey conservatory extension containing windows and garden doors with small glazing bars and onto which balcony. Hinged and sash windows with straight closed rebated frames beneath cockerel combs (at number 16 altered).

The mirror-symmetrical layout of the plans has been preserved. The entrance bays contain among other things the staircases, privies and small rooms with adjoining bay window extensions; on the bel-étage an adjoining (former) enfilade salon, on the first storey an adjoining front and rear room.

From the interiors the following are noteworthy: vestibules with marble staircase to basement and bel-étage, marble wall panelling and plinths; basements with partially barrel vaulted ceiling; staircase with decoratively carved stair balusters (no. 14) and roof lights on the landing with cross windows; various rooms with panelled doors, profiled door frames, ceilings with stuccowork and mouldings and various marble fireplaces (particularly no. 14).

Assessment.

The former double townhouse is of general importance. The object possesses cultural-historical values as an example of dwellings for the more wealthy. Social status is closely linked to its location in the urban planning context. Furthermore, as an object forming part of the first urban expansion beyond the walls it represents an important phase in the urban planning development of Den Bosch. The object further possesses cultural-historical value because of the importance of the mirror-symmetrical plan for the typological development of the double townhouse. The object possesses architectural-historical value because of the significance of the style employed for the oeuvre of architect Hurkens. Furthermore because of the aesthetic qualities of the architectural design, the carefully executed ornamentation and varied detailing in the façades and components of the interior. The object possesses ensemble values as part of the historical block development along one of the main roads of the Het Zand neighbourhood. The object is of importance because of its architectural integrity and the many preserved elements from the interior and contributes to the visual and structural integrity of the Het Zand neighbourhood.