Woonhuis, Sophiaweg 119

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

Description

Double COUNTRY HOUSE of two storeys and attic storey on a composite ground plan. The building block consists of two mirrored dwellings connected by garages. The dwellings and the lower intermediate section of the garages have somewhat inwardly curved gabled roofs with overhang. The roofs have ridge direction parallel to the street, are covered with red improved Dutch tiles and drain via zinc gutters. Approximately in the middle of both dwellings a brick chimney projects through the ridge. In the rear section of the intermediate part, two modern roof dormers are placed at the location of the storage rooms above the garages.

The flat FACADES are built up in yellowish brick with some misfire bricks and laid in Flemish bond with recessed mortar joints. The arrangement of the facades is unforced. Most of the recessed facade openings are rectangular in form and are closed off by a brick lintel, blind segmental arch or natural stone lintel. The drip ledges of the windows are brick. The substantial sills of the doors are executed in natural stone. A large variety of window types and sizes has been applied. The frames, the windows with glazing bars, as well as the terrace and balcony doors are executed in steel (on the ground floor of number 121 some windows have been replaced by plastic examples). All other doors are executed in wood.

At the front, the entrance sections of the dwellings and garages catch the eye. The two-part front door with a window, wrought-iron grille and side lights is housed in a portico with an arched closure. The letterbox and a substantial corner block on the bevelled side of the portico are executed in sandstone. The flanking windows of the kitchen are the only windows in the dwellings with shutters. Broad segmental arches open onto the front spaces of the garages. A two-part wooden kitchen door and a sliding three-part garage door are housed therein. Splayed bricks are placed on the corners.

The composite windows at the back (south side) have a large format with wall mullions. In line with the sitting room is a terrace with diagonally placed and tapering buttress. The segmental arch closure of the terrace as well as the brick balustrade of the balcony above have been replaced by an iron profile beam and matching rail fence in both dwellings. For the purpose of light intake, the walls of the terrace have also been painted white. The segmental arch-closed open space at the rear of the garage at number 121 has been closed off. SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT of the dwellings. On the ground floor, the central hall is completely enclosed: on the street side by the kitchen and the vestibule together with cloakroom with toilet; on either side by the sitting room and the garage; on the rear side by the dining room. The part of the hall, vestibule and kitchen is undercellared (respectively provisions, fuel and central heating). On the first floor and attic, the bedrooms and a bathroom are housed. The (storage) space above the garage is accessible from the dwelling. The INTERIORS are executed soberly. In both dwellings, the original panelled doors and the brick stairs have been retained, as well as some tiled and parquet floors.

Valuation

Double COUNTRY HOUSE from 1934-1936.

- Of architectural-historical value as a typologically good and relatively rare example of a double country house built in traditionalist style from 1934-1936. This is a representative work of architect C.M. van Moorsel Pzn. (1892-1962). Sobriety or simplicity is an important theme in 1930s domestic architecture and is translated in this object into an artisanal traditionalist idiom, referring to the Dutch tradition of brick construction: natural building materials, emphasis on structurally important elements, special attention to entrance sections, distinctive roof form, compelling floor plan. The object, apart from some minor alterations to components, has been well preserved in terms of main form, facade and interior arrangement.

- Of urban-planning value because of the distinctive location in a strongly undulated and wooded area on the border of the municipalities of Groesbeek and Nijmegen, where the object forms part of a building pattern consisting of scattered substantial dwellings in various architectural styles. The object is a good example of a design adapted in form and orientation to the landscape setting.