The award is presented to a historic building with a distinguished track record. It’s about more than just the renovation; the connection to the present also plays a role. In short, the significance of the historic building is what matters.
Cuypers House: home and workplace of architect/designer Pierre Cuypers
Pierre Cuypers became famous as the architect of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, but the hyperactive native of Roermond was above all a skilled networker and innovative entrepreneur.
In 1853, he built his home and adjoining office building on Andersonweg in Roermond. This marked the beginning of a turbulent career that would bring him national and international renown. His hometown of Roermond always continued to play a central role.
For nearly 100 years, the company was headquartered in the museum building, from which it worked on hundreds of churches and commissions such as the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Central Station, as well as the restoration of De Haar Castle in Haarzuilens (near Utrecht).
In the studios and workshops, employees worked on designs for buildings, interiors, works of art, and furniture, all in accordance with Pierre Cuypers’ vision. He managed his “art workshops” in a businesslike and modern manner, something that was unprecedented for that time.
The Cuypershuis tells this story by, among other things, drawing connections between Cuypers and contemporary interior designers, as well as through themes such as 3D printing.