Home / Activities / Architecture walking tour / Bicyle tour Modern architecture (in Dutch)

Architecture walking tour

Bicyle tour Modern architecture (in Dutch)

A surprising tour along Hilversum monuments from the Interbellum

During a bicycle tour of about two hours, an experienced guide shows the participants different architectural styles from the interbellum period. The first part of the tour takes you past works by Dudok. His development of style and the inspiration that the Hilversum municipal architect found in the Amsterdam School and later in Frank Lloyd Wright is clearly visible. Its versatility is reflected in the different types of buildings: from pumping station to schools and from social housing to the iconic Town Hall.

The second part of the tour leads the participants to the second architectural icon of Hilversum: the former Zonnestraal sanatorium. This example of Het Nieuwe Bouwen by architects Duiker and Bijvoet shows completely different architectural principles, shapes and materials. The guide examines the social background of the complex, specially built for tuberculosis patients from the working class and Jan van Zutphen, who from his position as secretary of the Diamond Workers’ Union was the driving force behind Zonnestraal.