(b Amsterdam, 21 Feb 1856; d The Hague, 12 Aug
1934).
Dutch architect, urban planner and writer. He abandoned early his
intention to become a painter and instead trained in architecture at
the Bauschule of the Eidgenössiche Polytechnikum (now Eidgenössische
Technische Hochschule) in Zurich under Gottfried Semper’s followers.
Semper was a major influence on Berlage, especially for Berlage’s
emphatic use of a variety of materials and an acute attention to
construction. The other major influence was the work of
Viollet-le-Duc. After his training Berlage visited Germany and Italy
from 1878 to 1881, returning to Amsterdam to become an associate of
the classicist architect and businessman Theodorus Sanders, who very
soon handed over to him the task of designing. The shop and
office-block for Focke & Meltzer (1884–5), Kalverstraat, Amsterdam,
was critically acclaimed for its correct application of the Venetian
Renaissance style favoured by Semper and for the grandeur of its
shopping area, with its unusually large windows. Berlage voiced
doubts in 1886 about the imitation of earlier styles, and in 1889 he
protested strongly against both imitation and the falsification of
materials.
The Hague municipal museum
The Beurs van Berlage (Amsterdam Commodities Exchange)
St. Hubertusslot (St. Hubertus Hunting Lodge) at
National Park De Hoge Veluwe, The Netherlands. Designed by H.P. Berlage in 1914.
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