Lost in Amsterdam? No, we are standing in Brussels. We are here to admire L’Aube – De Dageraad Bust. It’s a piece of Amsterdam School architecture. But how did it get here?
The story of L’Aube – De Dageraad Bust begins in Amsterdam. It’s linked to a housing project called De Dageraad. This project aimed to provide comfortable homes for laborers. Piet Kramer designed it. He was a famous architect known for his Amsterdam bridges.
The Amsterdam School movement focused on pleasing aesthetics. Organic forms met hard brick. This gave buildings a unique look. However, not everyone loved it.
One Amsterdam alderman, Wibaut, defended the project. Some people thought the money was wasted on “unnecessary pimping” of street views. Wibaut’s defense was successful. He even has a bust in the area today. Perhaps L’Aube – De Dageraad Bust is that bust.
De Dageraad included 294 homes and six shops. These homes had three or four rooms. Back then, that was considered quite comfortable. The housing association De Dageraad started the project in July 1918. It finished in March 1923.
Over time, the Amsterdam School style lost popularity. The economic crisis of the 1930s made it seem too expensive. But after the 1970s, it became popular again. Thankfully, not many of these houses were lost.
If you look at old photos, not much has changed outside. A clock is gone. The roads are busier. Inside, things are different. The original buildings lacked bathrooms. Interiors needed updates. These apartments are now expensive. Their popularity and architecture make them desirable.
The buildings in De Dageraad are symmetrical. Across the street, there is another building like this one. You might see a statue of a native American or just a man. Another building has a bird or hawk statue.
Museum De Dageraad exists in Amsterdam. Michel de Klerk and Piet Kramer designed it in 1923. It showcases the Amsterdam School style.
So, while we admire L’Aube – De Dageraad Bust here in Brussels, remember its Amsterdam roots. It represents a time of architectural innovation. It also represents a fight for beauty in everyday life. It reminds us that even housing can be a work of art.