Saturday we took a 45-minute train to Utrecht, a city with a large and lively student population, to see the Rietveld-Schroeder House. Speaking of students, we met up with Jeff, the familiar face above, whom we know from Emily Carr. He's an industrial design student who is currently on exchange in Eindhoven. I would say it's a small world, but it's actually it's just a small country.We went for a guided tour of the Reitveld-Schröeder House, which should be familiar – maybe only vaguely – to those of you who took Design History as the de Stijl home constructed in 1924. This house is famous for it's interior that transforms from closed, private rooms to open and free-living space by use of sliding doors, walls that run on tracks, and windows that open as balconies. All the furniture was custom made for the house, and designed for modular living (for example, many furniture items had more than one purpose.) Being inside of the house was stepping into a breathing Mondriaan painting. Sorry, no photos allowed.
When it was designed eighty years ago, the concept was revolutionary. It was fascinating to visit, if for no other reason than when we studied it in school, I remember thinking it was in the middle of nowhere, in a city I'd never heard of, and would never see it in person. Well, here I am.
Our ticket also included admission to the Dick Bruna Huis, a museum devoted to Holland's – if not one of the world's – most famous creator of children's stories.
A graphic designer by trade, he is most famous for his character of Miffy, a simplified bunny with many animal friends. His books have been translated into more than 70 languages around the world. It was a really cute place.
But the highlight of the day was the city of itself. In addition to the usual canals, Utrecht had huge public squares, interesting shops, and wharves below street level where people sat and ate and relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful weather. It's a great city to visit.
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