The impressive and modern Schröder House designed by famous Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld, stands amongst one of the most iconic Art Deco house designs of modern times. In 1923-24, Rietveld had designed the house, for his client Truus Schröder-Schräder and had provided clear and distinct floor plans and dimensions for it. Rietveld’s vision of providing an inexpensive and creative house to the middle-class of the Netherlands was what the Schröder House was initially intended for. It was quite a marvel for the era, as the house had room for recreation and gave adults a sense of freedom; which was usually absent in most regular houses. Converting the Schröder House designs into reality was an arduous task for the architect, who consulted with the client in order to include as many features. The Schröder House floor plans had many unique and distinct structural qualities about it (which we will see later), that made it quite an innovative and ambitious design for the era. Standing tall and solid since its establishment, the Schröder House still stands as a landmark of progressive modernist architecture.Schröder House Floor Plans and Dimensions
Schröder House Floor Plans and Dimensions
The Schröder House did not only feature innovative floor plans; but its house plans and elevations alsohighly distinguished the house from other buildings of its era. The elevations designed by Rietveld had a total of 13 concrete columns that encompassed. This unusual and unique configuration of columns and walls laid bare the somewhat experimental and adventurous nature of the Rietveld’s design. Inside this rigid framework of columns and walls, Rietveld had incorporated quite a few distinct features. The zig-zag door, the corner window, the asymmetrical fireplace designs, and the concertina doors were some of the features that were featured in the Schröder House elevations. Rietveld had realized his dream of providing a unique house to his clients and he sought to continue such a trend in other designs; which he ultimately did.Schröder House Plans and Elevations
Schröder House Plans and Elevations
Gerrit Rietveld had taken a unique approach when he developed the 3D house designs for the Schröder House. Rietveld used a very meticulous and detailed design aesthetic to create the perfect 3D house; which later became the defining feature of the structure. Rietveld designed and fabricated more than 90 components for the 3D house designs; which were then assembled collectively in order to make the perfect 3D house. Rietveld’s comprehensive approach towards his design allowed the architect to be the first modernist artist, to use a 3D house design for his clients. The 3D house designs by Rietveld proved to be one of the most important and influential designs of the era; and this led to similar 3D house designs being incorporated in other modernist architectures.Schröder House 3D House Designs
Schröder House 3D House Designs
The Schröder House had a clever and well-planned layout, that also covered the dimensions of the interior. With the dimensions, Rietveld had mapped out a total of 6 rooms within the house's interior, which included the living room, the dining room, a kitchen and a bedroom. Rietveld also gave leeway to the clients to add an additional room or even have two bedrooms in the house if they wished to. This placed immense flexibility within the Schröder House; making it a unique and functional design with a very limited floor area. This made it a very popular option amongst many, as it allowed them to use the space that they had to their best desired outcomes. Rietveld also managed to move the staircase from the middle of the house to the side, which made it look quite neat and elegant.Schröder House Layout Dimensions
Schröder House Layout Dimensions
A key factor in why the Schröder House had become so popular, was because of the very specific design and specifications that were included in the building. Rietveld paid attention to the small details and drew up a map towards each aspect of the house’s construction and design. This included the location of the staircase, the measurements for the windows and the arrangement of the furniture. Rietveld also took the liberty of using a range of materials to construct the Schröder House; by using stucco, masonry, pine wood, steel and glass. All of these materials had been carefully chosen by Rietveld in order to match the overall vision for the house. This also made the house quite a distinct building in comparison to other houses of the era; since it managed to remain both modern and traditional at the same time.Schröder House Design and Specifications
Schröder House Design and Specifications
In order to make the Schröder House as creative and as desirable as possible, Rietveld incorporated a lot of design ideas into the building. For instance, the architect included an asymmetrical fireplace, a versatile kitchen, a study corner and a recreational area. All of these design ideas created the perfect space for living; as they allowed every inhabitant to enjoy a sense of freedom within the house. It was a revolutionary concept at the time and the design ideas also added a considerable amount of value to the house; since they allowed the inhabitants to convert the house into a lucrative source of income as well as a nice and pleasant home.Schröder House Design Ideas
Schröder House Design Ideas
The Schröder House had the distinctive feature of having cost-effective structural dimensions, which allowed the house to be constructed with minimal expenses. The dimensions for the entire house derived from the ideas presented by Rietveld himself (as well as the suggestions of his client); and included the measurements for the floors, walls, windows and doors. All the materials used for constructing the house had to follow the specifications set by Rietveld and the dimensions had to be be exacted to fit the overall design. This allowed the house to remain structurally sound, solid and aesthetically pleasing. It also reduced the need for additional funds for other structural requirements; and this allowed Rietveld to keep the construction restricted to the available budget.Schröder House Structural Dimensions
Schröder House Structural Dimensions
With an impressive range of features and designs, the Schröder House also had specific building plans that were derived from the house design. The building plans for the house contained information about the details of the interior planning, the location and size for each room, the stairs and the location of windows and doors. As expected, these plans had been closely supervised by Rietveld in order to match the overall design of the house. The client; being impressed with the plans, was also involved in the planning for the Schröder House and had given her suggestions as requested by the architect. These plans helped build the foundation for the Schröder House and had set the stage for the modernist architecture in the Netherlands.Schröder House Building Plans
Schröder House Building Plans
Before the skillful crafting of the Schröder House frames, stairs and walls, Rietveld required detailed plans and specified construction plans for the building. Rietveld had to include shuttering plans for the walls and floors; as well as plans that covered the stair configuration and structure of the walls. The construction plans for the house had to be developed according to the measurements; and this is what the architect had done with impeccable dedication, in order to keep the design of the house cohesive and consistent throughout. The plans included a structural diagnosis of the house; which helped the architect maintain the design of the house and this allowed the house to become the iconic landmark that it is today.Schröder House Construction Plans
Schröder House Construction Plans
The exterior dimensions of the Schröder House were also quite important, as it had to take into account the house's curbs. As expected, the dimensions carried a lot of information and specs, including the measurements of the exterior walls, the threshold, the paving around the house, and the boundary wall thresholds. All of this was included in the exterior dimensions of the house, and each of the measurements was designed to produce the desired design aesthetic for the house. The result was the classic and timeless house that is the Schröder House, which stands to this day as a tribute to the genius and creativity of modernist architect Gerrit Rietveld.Schröder House Exterior Dimensions
Schröder House Exterior Dimensions
Schröder House Plan Dimensions: Making the Most of a Small Home
The Schröder House was designed by Dutch architect Jan Duiker in 1924 and remains one of the most influential examples of the “Small House Movement” to this day. Although diminutive in size, taking up a total area of 62.5 square meters, few houses squeeze as much from such a small floor plan. Applying the principles of
functionalist architecture
, the Schröder House provides a model for transforming even the most cramped and awkward spaces into comfortable and stylish homes.
Uniquely shaped with right angles and curved walls, the building itself was moulded to the shape of its
site
on the outskirts of Utrecht. This naturally tested Duiker’s designs for the interior, but he managed to levant the restrictions of the space, creating a union between indoor and outdoor areas that would usually be considered mutually exclusive.
A large window dominated the living area, filling the space with guests and light whilst offering access to the garden – a feature that was essentially unheard of for a house of its size. Its front porch featured a canopy that extended out, providing a generous space for the families to gather in a space that was held by an unusually small tonnage of stone walls.
In terms of practicality and space, the main feature of Duiker’s shrink-wrapped designs was the chic and mezzanine bedroom – a half-cube suspended from the roof of the living space. Its poignantly small area, just 2 by 2 meters, meant that it was the perfect size for couples or children. Similarly, the kitchen was designed to serve its purpose while taking up very few square meters, with an oven, sink, and cupboard tucked into a narrow rectangular area.
The Schlöder House distinguishes itself from its contemporaries with its form and function combined with its
compact dimensions
. It serves not only as a beautiful example of early modernist architecture, but also as a blueprint that demonstrates how you can make the most out of a small living area. Its small size is not by any means a disadvantage but instead, an opportunity for innovation – an opportunity to create something unique and truly individual.
The Schlöder House's Innovative Design
Duiker used the Schlöder House as an opportunity to pioneer a new style of living: minimalistic yet comfortable. A combination of large windows and outdoor access encourage the use of natural light, reducing the need for extra energy sources. Its use of half-cube bedrooms and compact kitchen designs showed how the limited floor-plan did not need to be a significant limitation. Additionally, Duiker pioneered the union of indoor and outdoor living, showing how even the smallest of gardens can be Philodendron of a much bigger space.
Schröder House Dimensions Overview
The total square meters of the Schröder House adds up to 62.5. The house is consists of an entrance hall, four rooms, a kitchen, and a separate toilet. The living area, located on the ground floor, is 17.1 meters in length and 6.3 meters in depth, and features a mezzanine bedroom as well as access to the garden. The kitchen is 2.2 meters long and 5.6 meters wide, while the bedroom is 2 meters by 2 meters. The separate toilet is 1.2 meters long and 2 meters wide.
Conclusion
The Schlöder House plan dimensions demonstrate how even the smallest of spaces can provide the most complex of solutions. With a total of 62.5 square meters, the highly influential design showcases many of modernist principles and methods of maximizing whatever space is available. Although the Schröder House remains a historical example of remarkable architecture, it stands today as an exceptional example of the potential for space, even when the floor plan is limited.
