Boekentoren

Returning to the Boekentoren, we shift our scholarly focus toward the intimate details of its interior and the Herculean effort involved in its recent restoration. While we have previously analyzed its monumental modernist…

One of the most delicate and rewarding aspects of the interior restoration has been the treatment of the original parquet floors on the ground level and in the offices. Dating from the late 1930s and early 40s, this wood…

The verticality of the Boekentoren required innovative solutions for the movement of people and books. Henry van de Velde’s original plan included a primary elevator and a dramatic central staircase, both designed with his…

The 'Professoren gang' or Professor’s Corridor represents the most formal and prestigious section of the library's internal offices. Here, the restoration has reached its peak, successfully returning the space to the intended…

The Belvedere, the crown of the Boekentoren, has been the site of intensive work in recent years to prepare it for regular public use. While small events were occasionally held here in the past, the lack of a second fire exit and…

The restoration of the 'Erekoer' (Courtyard of Honor) has highlighted a fascinating debate within the world of heritage conservation: the tension between preserving an architectural monument in its 'purest' form and making it a…

While the tower itself is the most visible part of the Boekentoren, a significant portion of the library’s collection is housed in vast subterranean stacks. These basement levels are the literal and metaphorical foundation of the…

As we conclude our second, more intimate look at the Boekentoren, we are struck by the building's remarkable capacity for renewal. The decade-long restoration has not only repaired its physical structure but has also re-ignited…