Aula van Rietveld

Hidden within the serene landscape of Begraafplaats Meerterpen, the Aula van Rietveld stands as a testament to both life and loss. This isn’t just a building. It’s a story unfolding. A story that began in 1958 when the renowned architect Gerrit Th. Rietveld was commissioned to design a final resting place, an aula, for the De Wilgenhof cemetery. Rietveld, ever the visionary, conceived a structure that would not just house ceremonies but would embrace the very process of mourning. He envisioned the movement of mourners, the solemnity of the occasion, and wove these considerations into the very fabric of the Aula van Rietveld. The building’s proportions, the stark beauty of the materials, the way light plays across the surfaces – all were carefully orchestrated to create a space of contemplation and remembrance. However, the path to completion was not smooth. Financial and technical hurdles delayed the project. Sadly, Rietveld passed away in 1964, two years before his creation finally graced the world in 1966. But the story doesn’t end there. In the year 2000, Schiphol Airport’s expansion necessitated the relocation of the Aula van Rietveld. It was meticulously deconstructed and rebuilt here, at Meerterpen. Notice how it stands now, two distinct volumes of white and grey glazed brick, a minimalist composition of planes and lines. Look closely and you’ll see Rietveld’s signature details: slender steel columns, exposed structural connections, pivoting doors, even the subtly twisted window frames. And that covered walkway along the side? Another touch of Rietveld’s genius, offering a sheltered path for reflection. The Aula van Rietveld is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a space where architecture and emotion intertwine, a place where the living can find solace and celebrate the lives of those who have passed.