Future Dreams

by Bert Hermans · Gouda, NL

Bert made this painting after an invited visit to the Van Nelle factory in Rotterdam. The painting shows a corridor of the main building. Reflections and shadow lines provide a special atmosphere. The Van Nelle Factory is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The former factory of the Van Nelle company was designed by Leendert van der Vlugt of the architectural firm Brinkman & Van der Vlugt in collaboration with constructor Jan Wiebenga. It is a textbook example of 'The New Building' (Bauhaus). The complex was built between 1927 and 1930 under the leadership of Cees van der Leeuw. The factory consists of buildings with facades mainly made of steel and glass and was seen as an ideal working environment; it was open to the outside and the daylight provided pleasant working conditions. In the period from 2002 to 2004, the factory was converted into a 'Design Factory' for small companies and events.