Kohnstammhuis

In 1958, a striking new building appeared on Amsterdam’s Wibautstraat. This was the Kohnstammhuis, originally built to house the Dutch Tax Administration. Its imposing ten stories made it the tallest office building in Amsterdam at the time. Locals nicknamed it “The Grey Monument to Proper Taxation”. The Kohnstammhuis showcases the traditionalist style of the Delft School, a unique example of architectural Stalinism in the Netherlands. Designed by Gijsbert Friedhoff, then Chief Government Architect, it filled the space once occupied by the low-lying railway to Utrecht. Inside, the offices were sparsely decorated, a stark contrast to the vibrant art in the canteens. Two non-figurative murals by D. Tuynman adorned the small canteen. The large canteen, now known as the Kohnstammzaal, boasted stained glass by H. Telkamp, Frans Nols, and K. Wenckebach. A large mural depicting people by the water, created by V.G.A. Röling, completed the artistic ensemble. The Kohnstammhuis consolidated the Amsterdam tax offices, which had previously been scattered across the city, including the East India House. By 1994, the Tax Administration outgrew the Kohnstammhuis and relocated to Sloterdijk. The Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) saw an opportunity in the vacant building. They renovated it in 1997, moving the entrance to the back, and again in 2011. Today, the Kohnstammhuis is a vibrant hub of learning. The HvA even established FLOOR, a cultural platform named after SDAP politician Floor Wibaut, within its walls. The building’s arena hosts debates and gatherings, continuing its legacy as a place of discourse and civic engagement. In recognition of its architectural and historical significance, the Kohnstammhuis was designated a national monument in 2007. The building now bears the name of Philip Kohnstamm, a physicist, philosopher, and pedagogue.