New exhibition featuring Dutch furniture design opens in Amsterdam

A new exhibit at the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam showcases the recent history of Dutch furniture and product design beginning with the architect of the Amsterdam landmark, H.P. Berlage. The exhibit is meant to show a connection between Berlage’s work and significantly more modern work from designers like Joost van Bleiswijk, Henk Stallinga and Bertjan Pot.

Among the pieces is an elaborately carved wooden desk designed by Berlage. The desk remained in the same office he used after portions of the exchange moved to the current stock exchange building a short distance away. The office is now home to the NL Times. The architect is often considered the founder of the Amsterdam style of architecture that featured prominently in the 20th century. In the new gallery, the work of over 30 designers is on display.

Berlage, Godfather of Dutch Design, opens November 21. It closes on May 15, 2016. Ticket prices are 7.50 euro with some discounts available. The show is set up in the new gallery space at the Beurs, a sprawling renovated space in the basement of the 122-year-old former stock exchange. Significant portions of the building underwent restoration over the past 15 years.